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“Are you asking my permission for that?”
“Yes, sir, I guess I am.”
He’s quiet for a minute as he stares down at the countertop. “You know, I always knew that Sidney was going to make a splash in the world. Shake it up a bit. And I also knew that the man who ended up loving her was going to have his hands full with her. She’s so easy to love, but she’s not easy, if that makes sense.”
“Yeah.” I nod and can’t help but chuckle. “That’s exactly how I’d describe her, too.”
“If and when you decide to propose to my girl, you have my blessing. On one condition.”
“Okay…”
He narrows his eyes at me. “You have to be prepared to love everything about her, all the way. Sidney flourishes under the spotlight. She always has. It’s going to be a part of your life whether you like it or not. You have to know that if you don’t embrace and love and support every bit of her, including the pieces that aren’t easy, it won’t work for you two. Because asking her to choose would just be cruel.”
Every word is a stab right into my heart.
Because he’s absolutely right.
I love and crave this downtime with her, when Nashville isn’t knocking on her door and she can just be Sidney, my girlfriend.
The rest of it still makes me damn nervous.
“Thanks for that,” I reply and reach out to shake the other man’s hand. “It makes a lot of sense and gives me a lot to think about.”
“I’m always a phone call away if you need to talk.”
He turns to return to the party, and I stay behind, my mind whirling.
I have a lot to think about.
Chapter 15
Sidney
“How many of the cousins are hung over today?” I ask Keaton as I fasten my diamond stud earring in place and watch this man that I love tie his tie in the mirror behind me.
“Too many,” he says. “We had a good time at Uncle Will’s. Gray didn’t get drunk, though. He’s too smart for that. Did you girls get hammered?”
“No.” I snort and turn to pull my dress off the hanger and step into it. It’s a pink strapless number that shows off my legs, per usual. “We relaxed. We ate delicious food and had body treatments, and we talked. A lot of talking. I mean, sure, there was some champagne, but we didn’t go crazy with it. We had too much food to soak it all up.”
When Keaton unknots his tie for the third time in frustration, I bat his hands out of the way and get to work on it myself.
“We have to be there in an hour,” he reminds me, watching my face as I focus on his tie. “Are you about ready to go?”
“I just have to grab my bag,” I assure him as I cinch up the tie and smooth it down with my fingers. “There. You look hot in a suit, Mr. Williams.”
“I hate wearing these things,” he admits with a scowl and shakes his head, turning back to the mirror to make sure his hair is just so. “But I’ll do it for Stella.”
“You guys are so much more than cousins. All of you. It’s like there are a million siblings in your family.”
“Yeah, we’re tight. Always have been.”
I smooth on some lipstick, reach for my small clutch, and grin at my hot-as-hell date. “Let’s go. I want to see Gray before this shindig gets started.”
Keaton came to my condo this morning, his suit and everything he needed in a bag, and we got ready together.
Now we’re heading down to the parking garage, where his Bronco is parked.
It’s Saturday, but it’s early enough in the day that traffic through Seattle isn’t horrible. And soon, we’re headed out of town, toward the vineyard.
“How long has your uncle owned this place?”
“Long time,” Keaton says. “I don’t know when he bought it, but it’s been in the family since before I was born. It’s gone through some changes, of course. Uncle Dom has added grapes, taken some out, and they added a whole new building onto the bed-and-breakfast. It’s kind of a big deal.”
“I love it out there.” I sit back, getting cozy in the seat. For being an older vehicle, Keaton sure made the Bronco comfy when he restored it. “I think it’s the perfect spot for a wedding.”
He’s quiet, and I can’t help but laugh and reach over to push my fingers into the back of his hair.
“Don’t worry, I’m not fishing for a proposal or anything. Just saying it’s so beautiful at the vineyard. It’s perfect for weddings. And it’s private, so it really cuts down on the press.”
“That’s the best part.” He takes my hand and kisses my palm. “I’ll always welcome a no-press day.”
“I know. And I’m sure the rest of the family agrees.”
