“Come on, let’s go see your mother.”
Ruby slips her hand in mine, applying enough pressure to pull me back, “We’ll catch you up, Daddy. Mama’s going to want you to wash your hands, anyway.”
He laughs again, muttering something, before planting a kiss at her temple. “Don’t be long. Your mama won’t be happy.”
“Ruby, what’s going on?” I ask once he’s out of earshot.
She shakes her head so hard her hair flicks around. “I don’t know, I swear. But my mom already knew we were married?—”
“Yeah, your dad told me we had a better game in Gloucester.”
Her mouth drops. “What?”
“I think they’ve been watching your career.”
“I haven’t had a career to watch.”
“Ruby . . . enough. Stop putting yourself down. Youhavehad a career, and you’ve got one now. You have a one handicap, and play for a high-goal team. You’re a polo player. You’re living the dream you always wanted, and it’s only going to get better.”
She shakes her head. “You’ve given me that dream.”
“You gave it to yourself,” I correct her.
“Yeah, because my parents . . .” She stops talking and peers around me toward the house. Her eyes find mine again, wide and aware. And maybe I underestimated her dad when he said Ruby’s smart enough to know better.
I still maintain it’s a fucked-up way to support your child.
“Miles?”
I nod, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her into me close enough I can kiss her nose. “Yes, we can stay longer than one night. The Bahamas will be there whenever you want. We’ll go for the whole off-season, if you’d like.”
She grins, but her head shakes. “We’re going to Argentina for the off-season.”
“Yes, boss.”
“And don’t you forget it.”
I lean in to kiss her properly, just as a loud whistle sounds.
“Shit, we need to go for lunch.”
“Then let’s go. I don’t need my new in-laws mad at me already.”
“Thank you.”
“No.” I drop my lips to hers, willing to risk the wrath. “Thankyou. I can’t imagine my life without you in it, and I could never imagine loving anyone as much as I love you, Ruby Burlington.”
“I love you, too.”
It would have been the perfect moment to repropose, if her dad hadn’t leaned out of the door and yelled, “Get your asses inside, lovebirds.”
It takes a couple of days, but instead of me winning Ruby’s parents over, after the stunt they pulled, it’s Ruby's parents begging for forgiveness.
Halfway through the first afternoon, Ruby’s brothers arrive—two behemoths who look just like their dad—and take one look at me.
“Do we get to fuck him up?”
Thankfully, Ruby’s dad shakes his head. “Not today.”
