Page 51 of Big Girl Panties

"How much money?" When he pressed his lips into a thin line and looked away, I put my hands on my hips.

"Around a million."

My eyes widened, and I nearly dropped my ice cream. "Holy shit. A million dollars?" He nodded grimly. "Oh my God. You absolutely cannot do that."

"I can, and I will." He grabbed my wrist, gently tugging me to a stop before tossing his empty cup in a nearby trash can. His hands cupped my face, thumbs caressing my cheeks as his voice dropped to a husky whisper. "I don't do anything I don't want to do, and I don't want to go anywhere without you by my side."

"A million dollars is a lot of money," I whispered, wrapping my hand around his wrist and leaning into his touch. "I wouldn't blame you if you…"

His mouth crashed against mine with an urgency that stole my breath. My pulse raced, echoing the distant music from a beachfront bar down the street. Heat flooded my cheeks as we stood there, illuminated by the romantic glow of lights strung between palm trees. My free hand instinctively reached up, fingers tangling in the soft hair at the nape of his neck, pulling him closer.

If he hadn't said it with his words, he definitely said it with that kiss.

His breath ghosted over my lips, forehead resting against mine. "I'm not going without you," he murmured, voice low and intense.

"Well, now that that's settled, what are you doing tomorrow night?"

"Tomorrow?" I had to think. "Oh, I kind of have plans. Once or twice a month, I have dinner at my parents' house." I bit my lip, wondering if it was too early. "Would... you like to come with me?"

His face lit up. "Yeah, I would love to meet your parents."

I hesitated. "I should warn you. My dad can be... a lot sometimes."

He tilted his head, brow furrowing. "What does that mean?"

"My dad is all about appearances. My brother was the perfect child, but after he died, I was expected to fill that role. Except I didn't want it, and I'm not exactly what he had in mind for 'perfect.'"

"What could he possibly find wrong with you?" His face twisted with confusion. "You own your own successful business. You're smart, funny, beautiful, kind..."

"I'm also recently divorced and..." I trailed off, gesturing vaguely at myself.

"The divorce wasn't your fault," he said firmly.

"I know that, but he blames it on my weight. He thinks no one could want me because of how I look."

Matt blinked rapidly, disbelief written across his face. "You're joking, right?"

"Nope." I shook my head. "He's made it pretty clear that he thinks I'm the reason my marriage failed."

His jaw clenched, a determined glint in his eye. "That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. I can't wait to prove him wrong."

A smile spread across my face. "I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable if he gets going."

"Sweetheart," he pulled me close, "I've been body-slammed by three-hundred-pound men and thrown through tables for a living. I think I can handle your dad." He grinned mischievously. "Besides, I've got a secret weapon."

"What's that?"

"I'm absolutely crazy about his daughter." He spun me around right there on the sidewalk, making me laugh and shriek. "And I'm not afraid to show it."

As he set me down, both of us laughing breathlessly, I realized something had shifted. For the first time in years, I felt genuinely excited about bringing someone home to meet my parents. Not nervous, not ashamed… excited.

"You know what?" I stood on my tiptoes to kiss him. "I think tomorrow night is going to be very interesting."

"Oh, it definitely will be," he grinned, wrapping his arms around me as we continued our moonlit walk. "Your dad has no idea what's coming."

And for the first time in my life, I couldn't wait to find out what my father would think of the man who was willing to give up a million dollars just to be with me. Something told me Matt was going to be full of surprises.

Chapter 20