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“I’m so, so sorry for my mother—” he started, but Dad waved him off, still in his seat on the couch.
“Nonsense. This is the most exciting Thanksgiving we’ve had in a decade, since Pat here almost choked on a wishbone.”
We all laughed, except Owen who looked completely embarrassed.
“Actually,” Dad added. “We were just talking about you, and when you were going to put a ring on my baby girl’s finger.”
“Dad!” I yelped, and a blush erupted over Owen’s cheeks.
“What? I just want him to make an honest woman out of you. Besides, if he loves you as much as you say he does, then the thought has to have crossed his mind more than once.”
To derail the conversation, I blurted, “Owen, what did you do with your mother?”
His eyes finally met mine, and I saw amusement sparkle in them.
“I made good on my threat, but I sent her back to Columbus in a cab. She hates cabs.”
I laughed, and he smiled for the first time all day.
“Now, Partick, you’re right about one thing,” Owen said, moving his attention back to my father. “The thought has crossed my mind more than once.”
My heart immediately seized up, and I waited with bated breath for what he would say next.
“And?” Dad prompted when he took too long to go on.
“And, I have a lot of things to consider, including my two boys. I have to think of what’s best for them, but also Mia. Believe me, I know that I don’t deserve her. She’s sweeter and more intelligent, caring, sweet, and beautiful than I could have ever imagined. I hesitate because I feel like she can do way better than me.”
The words were brutally honest, and no matter how much I willed it, he wouldn’t meet my eyes.
“Didn’t stop you from sleeping with her now, did it?” Dad snorted.
At that, Patrick noped out of there, dragging Maria behind him. Gran on the other hand, plopped down into the seat beside Dad and crossed her arms, waiting for his answer.
“No,” Owen admitted, rubbing at the side of his head.
He’d recently gotten a haircut, telling me that his mother would wring him alive if he had the shaggy grown out look when she arrived.
“We’re only human. And I admit that I don’t hold the same religious beliefs when it comes to virginity and whatnot, but I treasure your daughter. I highly regard her values and her beliefs, and everything that has happened between us has been mutual. Honestly, I’m surprised that you’re more worried about her hymen than the fact that she’s with a man twice her age.”
Dad shrugged.
“What the hell does age matter? I’m more worried about you being divorced with two kids than being forty.”
Owen looked surprised.
“Mia has met my ex,” he said, glancing my way before going on. “We’ve managed to keep a cordial relationship, as odd as it might be. And we try to raise our boys with every bit of love that parents can give their kids, we just do it in two different homes.”
“And I love those boys,” I finally piped in.
Owen’s eyes lifted to mine and he smiled again, gratefully this time.
“They love you, too,” he murmured.
“Well, we need to meet these boys,” Mom said.
“Not until they’re engaged,” Dad said, stopping Mom’s romantic vision of grandbabies.
She pouted briefly, but then Owen moved around the couch and held out his hand to me.
