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I nod. “One day, God willing, Titus and I might have children. If we do, they deserve the right to know their grandparents. Stopping them from seeing you would be revenge, and that’s not an emotion I want to experience.”
His lips curve up, just a little. “He’s moving to the UK to be with you. He must be serious about you.”
Obviously, that’s not the only reason he’s moving. But I just nod and say, “Yeah. I think he is.”
“I’m glad. He’s a good man.”
“He is.”
“He’ll take care of you.”
“I don’t need a man to take care of me, Dad. Even though Titus drove across the country after he heard my ex turn up at my house, and I was more than pleased to see him, I’d already dealt with Jason. It’s important to me to be independent.” I don’t add,Because of how you treated me.
He nods. “I’m glad that you are. I’m proud of you for moving all the way to England, getting a job, and managing on your own.”
My eyes sting. “I wish you’d said this two years ago.”
“So do I.”
He puts a hand on the table, palm up, maybe sensing that I’m not yet ready for a hug. I slide my hand into his. And we sit like that, listening to the rain, until Mum and Titus come back.
*
A week later
“Well, I’d better go,” I say to Titus.
It’s nearly nine p.m. and the two of us are in the flight lounge. My flight is in an hour. I’ve already checked in my luggage, and I need to get through security and find my way to the right gate.
“Yeah,” he says. “I wish I was coming with you now.”
“I’ll be fine.” More than fine—he’s booked me into first class again. “It’ll only be a couple of weeks anyway, and you’ll be following me over.”
“Yeah.”
I go to pick up my flight bag, and he catches my hand. “Just a minute.”
I look at him in surprise. “What?”
“I’ve got something for you.” He takes a small velvet box out of his pocket.
My heart bangs against my ribs. He hasn’t mentioned marriage again. But his words at Oliver’s wedding ring in my ears:There’s a conversation coming…
He rubs his thumb over the box. “This is my grandmother’s engagement ring. She died a couple of years ago. I asked Mum for it when we went there. I’d like you to have it. If you’d rather me buy you one of your own, that’s absolutely fine, and I’ll be happy to do it.”
I can only stare at him. “Oh, Titus…”
“I know we haven’t been dating long. And I know it makes sense to wait, to live together for a while, make sure we’re a good fit, all of that. But I don’t want you to leave before… I mean I want to show you…” He frowns. “I should have written it down.”
My lips curve up. “I’m not used to seeing you at a loss for words.”
“It doesn’t happen very often.” He takes a deep breath. “Heidi Rose Huxley, I’m asking you if you’ll marry me. I know a proposal should be romantic and organized, and I’ll ask you again when we’re in England, and we’re settled, and you’re sure. But I didn’t want you to leave without…” He looks at the box.
“Without your ring on my finger so any man I meet knows I’m spoken for?” I smile.
His brows draw together. “That sounds a bit prehistoric.”
“Am I in the right ballpark?”
