Page 181 of Love Unspoken

I watched Basil tell a story about a disastrous Thanksgiving he'd had a few years back when he'd accidentally set his parents' kitchen on fire attempting to deep-fry a turkey. Gemma, sitting next to him, was laughing so hard she nearly spilled her wine while Jax shook his head, grinning.

"Thanks, Daddy." I leaned into him. "It's so good to have you here."

"Lucas and I talked," he said softly.

Lucas had told me he'd make nice with my father, explain himself, and hope that Daddy wouldn't hate him for the rest of his life. My father wasn't that man. He didn't hold grudges, so I wasn't worried, and I thought it was sweet that Lucas had been.

"And?" I prompted.

"He's been a jackass, apparently, but even I can see he's grown up." Daddy kissed the side of my head. "You know, no one is going to be ever good enough for my daughter, but a man who wants to earn your trust and respect and is ready to do the work, that man comes close."

"Yeah," I agreed.

"I didn't tell him that, though," Daddy continued. "Gave him a hard time. Treated him like he was a perp in the box."

I elbowed my father gently. "Don't be mean."

"I'm retired; I got to get my kicks somewhere." Daddy let out a big breath. "He's the one, yeah?"

"Yes, he is."

"Well, but for all that generational wealth bullshit, he's alright."

I laughed. Only my father would have a problem with Lucas coming from old money and lots of it.

"I feel you, Daddy. It would be easier if he had regular money. His kind of family wealth is…well, firstly, it's not earned, and secondly, it messes relationships up. Look at how his mother and sister have decided to tow the Georgia society line instead of family."

"Rena is not doing that. That's one tough broad."

Lucas's grandmother surprised us by showing up at my door earlier today with a smile on her face and a bottle of expensive wine in her hand. We thought she'd already left for Hawaii, but she said she'd go the following day as she wanted to spend Thanksgiving with her family, us. Her presence was the final touch that made this day perfect.

"How do you feel about Christmas in Hawaii?" I asked.

"I feel freaking awesome about it." Daddy grinned. "Rena said the Covington house was on the water. She showed me pictures, and it's a freaking mansion with a private beach and a chef. It's going to be like being at a resort. I'm good with that."

"She likes you," I murmured.

"She thinks you're the cat's ass, kiddo, and she's delighted to see Lucas and you together. She told me that a good woman can change the life of a man, and a good man can change that of a woman. She wished her son had married better—instead, Patsy happened!"

Daddy walked to a cabinet and pulled out a water glass. He filled it from the fridge.

"You think Lucas will regret the strain I'm causing his relationship with his mother and sister? Will he blame me for it?"

Daddy raised his eyebrows and his chin to let me know there was someone behind me. I smelled him and shook my head in amusement.

Lucas turned me around to face him. "There's nothing to regret, Tesoro. They made their choices, and my decision has nothing to do with you and everything to do with me. I could never blame you for their choices or mine. You're the love of my life, my joy."

"Christ! Next, he'll be writing poetry for you," Daddy said in mock disgust. "I'm going to go talk to people who don't talk funny."

"Not talking funny, sir. I'm just a man in love." Lucas dropped his lips to mine, and I heard my father tell him to watch it with the PDA because "she's still my daughter."

But Daddy was joking. He was happy to see us back together because he knew how much I loved Lucas.

"It's been a lovely Thanksgiving, the best ever." Lucas hugged me closed. "Thank you for making it so special."

Lucas had been the perfect host all evening, keeping everyone's glasses filled, making sure the food kept coming, and somehow managing to look effortlessly handsome in the process. He was relaxed and charming, and at ease in a way that made me fall in love with him all over again.

"Time for dessert?" Lucas queried.