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I can’t help the way my lips curl into a half smile.
“I told you for years this boy was trouble, didn’t I?” he says to Monique’s mom.
Aunt Sandra laughs and looks at me with the same sweet smile she always has.
Monique’s father’s reaction doesn’t bother me. I know he’s just being protective. Hell, I know once we have a daughter, I’ll behave the same way.
“Calm down, Damon. This was bound to happen eventually,” Aunt Sandra says, surprising me.
Uncle Damon grunts. “Knew I should’ve kept him away all of these years.”
“You’ve known Diego as long as you’ve known me,” Monique defends. “You were rarely this crazy over my ex.”
He waves a dismissive hand in the air. “That’s different.”
“Well,” I finally say, again tightening my hold around Monique’s waist. Thankfully, she hasn’t tried to pull away. Even if she does give me a somewhat uncertain look.
“It is different because unlike her piece of sh—” I stop myself from saying what I truly want to say. When I look down at Monique, there isn’t a doubt in my mind, even though I can see them swimming in her eyes.
“Instead of him, I’m the one she’s going to marry.”
Everyone around me gasps, including Monique. Her eyes bulge in surprise. I should have expected this reaction. We agreed to three months, but I’ll be damned if I can let her go after that. We’ve spent too much time apart.
I know where my heart is and who it belongs to. It looks like I still need to work to convince her of that.
I look toward her parents. “It’s not like you didn’t see this coming, right?”
Her mother’s smile is proud and wide. It feels good. I know Aunt Sandra has always loved me. To be honest, she’s been almost like a mother to me, like my own. I know my mother feels the same way about Monique.
“You haven’t even asked me for permission yet,” Uncle Damon declares. “I don’t see a ring on her finger? Where is it? It better not be a cheap ass—”
“Damon, cut it out,” Aunt Sandra snaps.
He closes his mouth but continues to glare at me.
“Well,” Monique starts. “Um, we’re together,” she says hesitantly.
Irritation trickles down my spine but I don’t let it show.
“How about you both come over for dinner tonight?” her mother suggests. “Damian and Avery would love to have you both over. It’s been a while.”
Monique looks to her dad. “Dinner? Where there will be knives and sharp objects?”
I let out a chuckle, knowing that while Uncle Damon isn’t a pushover, especially about his family, I don’t have much to fear. I’m as protective over the woman at my side as he is.
“We’d love to,” I say.
Her father gestures to me and then looks at her mother. “Look, he’s talking over her and everything.”
“Dad, stop it,” Monique says a little more forcefully. “You know Diego would never. He’s not being any more possessive than you are over Mom.”
“She’s right,” her mom agrees. “We’ll see you both tonight around seven,” she finishes. “Come on, babe.”
Her father continues to stare at me even as his wife pulls him in the opposite direction.
I turn to Monique. “Looks like we have dinner plans.”
CHAPTER19
