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“Not really. They actually did me a favor and that’s why I’m asking you for your definition of a good Daddy. Because if you’re like your girlfriends and only looking for a Sugar Daddy, we’re done here.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
CALEB
He was botching this whole conversation. This was probably the most important heart-to-heart of his life and he’d rushed into it before getting his own thoughts straight. Seeing the tears and the quiver of her bottom lip, he knew Presley wasn’t in the right place either.
But it was too late to go back now. He’d started laying his cards on the table—he needed to finish playing his hand. Caleb just wished that it didn’t feel like his whole life’s happiness was riding on how this day’s conversation turned out.
“So, you are breaking up with me?” she finally asked.
He ran his hand through his hair, frustrated that he wasn’t getting his point across. He hated the fear he saw in Presley’s beautiful blue eyes. Fear he’d put there.
Unfortunately, he knew what she didn’t. He’d been here before and understood how much danger their relationship was in, only this time was ten times worse for him because he’d never loved anyone the way he loved Presley.
Should I just give in? I have plenty of money to spoil her.
His brain rejected it immediately. This was about way more than money, spending, and budgets. They were ironing out the ground rules of their relationship and if he had anything to say about it, it would be for the rest of their lives. He wanted it all with Presley. The two-point-five kids, the white picket fence, and happily ever after, and that meant they had to get through this important milestone, or they’d always be on shaky footing.
“I know you’re confused, baby. Let me see if I can find the right words,” he said, fighting the urge to pull her into his arms before adding, “I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, I’m sure of it,” he professed.
She leaned closer, ready to rush into his arms, but he held up his hand to stop her, knowing he had a lot more to say first.
“But I am an old-fashioned kind of guy and I believe in old-fashioned dynamics when it comes to marriage.”
Several long seconds passed before she asked, “So you want me barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen?”
His growl of frustration made her jump. “That’s not fair and you know it. The last thing I want to do is hold you back from achieving all you can in life.”
“Then I don’t understand what you mean by old-fashioned.”
He gave her props for pushing him for answers instead of just trying to make promises she didn’t even understand and could never keep anyway.
He worked hard to keep the bubble of fear he felt from showing on his face. She had more than enough panic in her eyes for them both.
He took a deep breath, trying to find the best words to get through to Presley.
“I have an analogy that I think might help,” he started. “I want to spend the rest of my days riding through the car of life together—you and me—traveling through the ups and downs,together. We both get a say in where we go and what we do, but at the end of the day, there can only be one driver of the car, and that’s me. I’ll always ask for your input and listen to your concerns, but in the end, if we disagree, all of the big decisions will fall on me, and you’ll need to ride along.”
“But what if I want to drive sometimes?” she asked, a cute pout on her face.
“I might let you take the wheel at times, but only after we’ve discussed it first and I’ve agreed.”
“That’s not fair.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way.”
“I bet all of my friend’s daddies let them drive,” she argued.
A bark of laughter he couldn’t hold back startled Presley. “Baby, I’m quite sure your friends are driving because they insist on having their own damn car. They aren’t in any kind of real partnership with their boyfriends and if you’re honest with yourself, you know I’m right. Those men are arm candy and bankers at best.” He paused before adding, “I want us to have something so much more than that.”
He could see her turning around the analogy in that beautiful brain of hers. He gave her the time she needed to come up with her next question.
“So, you just get to make crazy rules and I have to follow them like a child?”
“Name one rule I’ve given you that was crazy.”
Presley opened and closed her mouth several times but couldn’t come up with an example.
