I look up at him from the cat with all seriousness.
“You guys weren’t far off from the truth of that.”
“She wasn’t too keen on dating again, huh?”
“No, that would be an understatement. But I wore her down.”
“I like that you didn’t give up.”
“She’s worth every bit of the hard work and then some.”
Jacob’s smile widens with approval. I swig the last of my beer a tad nervously.
“Do you love her?”
The swallow lodges in my throat and takes a moment to go down. Jacob’s eyes widen in alarm.
“I’m sorry. I probably should’ve waited til you swallowed that, but I don’t know when we’ll get time to have a man-to-man discussion again.”
I hold out a finger, eyes stinging as I force the muscles in my throat to cooperate, until I’m finally able to suck in a breath and blow it out slowly.
“I don’t want you to see that as panic. There’s no panic here, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say serious talks with my girl’s dad don’t make me nervous.”
Jacob lets out a hearty laugh and slaps a knee while still waiting for my reply.
“In answer, yes. Yes, I love Holly. I’d have told her by now if I weren’t scared she’d freak out and run from it.” Holly’s dad’shead tilts in contemplation, searching me for any bullshit and finding none.
“So, she’s the flight risk?”
“Yes, sir. She’s catching on though. I walked in on the conversation when I grabbed your beer. May’s setting her straight.” I shake my head, seeing Holly’s flushed cheeks all over again.
“Good. I knew your answer already. I just needed to hear it. I recognize love when I see it. She’s feeling it too. I’m sorry that she’s fighting it so hard, but those scars that boy left on her heart– I’m so disappointed in him.”
“I promise that I’d never do that to her. I’ll prove it to all of you. Most of all, her. I want to be clear with you that I intend to give her everything, if she’ll have me. She’s just not ready to hear it yet, though.ButI thought you should. Face-to-face. I don’t know when I’ll get another chance for that.”
Respect washes across his features, and his eyes warm.
“You want to marry her?”
I nod, keeping my eye contact strong and sure.
“Tomorrow, even–if she’d have me. She’s just not there yet, and I won’t rush her.”
“You know, that other fucker never even asked me. Never even told me how he felt about her. I should’ve known then that he wasn’t truly serious. Excuse my language, but that’s all he deserves from me.” I nod again in agreement. He wasn’t worthy of my Holly. After a moment of contemplation, Jacob turns to me with a soft smile.
“When the time comes, ask her. Don’t come to me again for a blessing. You already have it. By coming here and showing me that you were willing to answer all these questions and more, while still being patient with her healing, shows me you deeply care about what’s best for her. You’ve shown me what kind of man you are. You will be good for her. Thank you, Jaxon. Thisdoes my heart good. I know your parents are proud of the man you’ve become.”
A bag of bricks lifts from my chest. A weight I hadn’t even truly realized was there. With this part out of the way, I feel like the rest of the visit is going to go well. I’m glad Jacob is a straight-shooter. In some ways, at least, I can see that Holly gets it from him. We watch the rest of the game, cheering when the Cardinals take the win.
Jacob stands tall and stretches before adjusting his belt and reaching out a palm to me in approval and a goodnight. Tigger takes that as his cue and jumps his tubby butt off the couch as I stand and clasp his hand in mine firmly.
“It was nice having another guy to watch the game with. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Goodnight, sir.”
“Jacob.”
“Goodnight, Jacob.”
