Iknow Mila’s dad means well, and I’m trying to behave, but there is a part of me that’s really fucking hurt. My dad would never have done what Mila’s did, but he’s not here to meet my girl and love her. He would have adored her instantly. I brushed it off at dinner, but I know Mila was ready to walk out the door, and I didn’t want her to do it on my behalf. No good would come of it, so I just shrugged it off.
Emma gave me a good life, so I can’t be all that mad. Sure, having my dad around would have been better, but in his place I got Emma. That woman is an angel—albeit with the mouth of a sailor.
Lost in my thoughts, I almost run into her dad when he stops at a door. Swinging it open, he flips a light switch and gestures for me to follow him. As I trail behind him, I notice a cluttered work bench along a wall, tools on a peg board above it. Paint and grease scents fill the air, but I don’t mind. It makes me think of all the times I spent with my dad in his garage.
“So, what did you want to show me?” I glance around at his miscellaneous projects.
Giving me an exasperated look, he shakes his head. “I owe you an apology, Kash.”
“It’s fine?—”
“No. It’s not,” he interrupts, leaning against a workbench, arms crossed. His sandy brown hair is sticking up in a few spots, and when he makes direct eye contact with me, I can tell Mila got her mom’s eyes. His are a shade darker, like Mara’s. Mila’s are a soft brown. They remind me of brown sugar. “I didn’t have any right to be so rude to you.”
“I’ll admit, I didn’t have the best dating history prior to Mila, butI need you to know that she’s it for me. Sir,” I tack on as an afterthought. His head would probably explode if I told him that I’m hoping I knock his daughter up and marry her as soon as I possibly can. That’s how sure I am about her, aboutus.
Somehow, I don’t think that’ll go over well, so I attempt to give him a friendlier version that won’t make him kill me on the spot.
He nods along as if he’s thinking it through. “What about your schedules?”
“What about them?”
“Well, Mila and Mara run their café together. Aren’t you guys basically on different timetables?”
“We are, but we manage. I get up in the mornings with Mila before she leaves for work and make her breakfast and something for lunch. I try to pop over during the day to see her, and I keep Saturday evenings open as well.”
“That doesn’t mess with your schedule and clients?”
“No.” I look directly at him. I need him to understand that I’m not going anywhere. Any objection he has, I have an answer for it. “Mila is a priority for me, and I take care of things that are important.”
“So, she’s a thing?” He arches a brow.
“Don’t do that. I mean no disrespect, but don’t talk about Mila like that. She is more important to me than anything else. She knows that, and I’ve shown her just how important she is.”Like I plan on doing again later on when I collect my promise. “I’ll continue showing her how important she is because it’s no less than she deserves.”
Uncrossing his arms, he stands a bit straighter and sighs. “I don’t mind you boys, Kash. Atlas is good for Cora, and he treats Noah well. I’ll be watching you for now.”
“That’s fine. I have nothing to hide. But I need to be up front with you, Mr. Morgan.”
“Go on.” He eyes me carefully.
I debated on how much I was going to say tonight but fuck it. The man thinks I’m going to cut and run when I get bored, but he has noidea how wrong he is. “I’m going to marry your daughter. I’m not asking for permission because Mila can make her own choices, but I know she loves you and values your opinion. I would lay my life down for hers, and I know that no one in existence will love her and appreciate her the way that I do. She’s everything to me.”
His nostrils flare, but I stand my ground. Tonight hasn’t exactly gone according to plan, but that’s okay. I think he and I are reaching an understanding, and I know her mom loves me.
“What if I just got rid of you?”
That makes me snort. As if he could get rid of me. “There is nothing you could do and nowhere you could hide her that I wouldn’t find her. I need you to understand how serious I am about Mila. You can ask her yourself. I’m pretty stubborn when it comes to getting my way, so I hope you can get used to seeing my face.”
Her dad stares at me for a few minutes, then a smile spreads across his face. “Alright, Kash. I’ll give you that. I’m a little concerned with how quickly this seems to be moving, but I’ll meet you halfway.”
“Halfway?” Now I’m confused. I just spilled my guts, and he’s meeting me halfway? I’m all in.
“Yes, halfway. I’ll accept you, but you have to know what’s going to happen if you fuck up—which I have a feeling you might.”
“Not going to happen, so I’m not worried.”
Her dad’s eyes dance with amusement, but I can’t lie that my heart stutters a bit when he says, “All the same, but I won’t come for you. Mara will.”
Now thatdoesfrighten me a bit.
