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I tilt my head. “They say you’re scared. You have nothing to be afraid of. Is this fast? Yes. But we’ll be just fine.”
“I don’t know you well enough to believe you.” She is staring at my ring on her finger.
“Harper, you believe me. You just don’t know it.” I tap her chest. “What is your heart saying? And not about your parents or your friends, but your heart, Harper.” My heart is pounding in my chest. I’m not used to hearing no and not about something I want.
“That it would be just another heartbreak I’d have to learn to get over.” Her eyes meet mine.
“Harper, I wish I had the words to quiet your fears. The words to make you believe that I’d never ever do anything to hurt you. Ask me whatever and I’ll answer it. You know I don’t want your money. I’ll sign a prenup. I’ll show you my bank statements to show I can provide for you.”
“Why are you insisting on marriage?”
“Because it will make you mine forever.”
“You sound like a crazy stalker.”
“Harper, I don’t have any real family. Glenda is all I have living in this world. And that’s not why I want to marry you. I’m asking for marriage because that’s where we’ll end up anyway.” I take a deep breath. “I don’t do drugs. I’ll keep my vows. I’ll give you the wedding of your dreams. I’ll make you happy.”
I’m feeling like a sucker. But I see her resolve softening again. “I have a beautiful home, you’ll love it, and if you don’t, we can build another. Huh…” What are other things women want? I look in her eyes, and I know what Harper would want, “We can have as many kids as you’d like. I’d like at least four. I am an only child, and it’s why I’m alone now. I don’t want my children to experience the same.” I step back.
“What about your parents?”
“I never met my father. My mother died.”
“And you don’t have siblings?”
“No.”
“What about cousins?”
“Distant ones. But none that I’d consider family.” I air quote.
“What about my dad?”
“I don’t care about anyone’s feelings but yours. I respect your dad, and I’d drive over and talk with him immediately if that’s what you want.”
“Aren’t you the slightest bit concerned about this failing?”
“I trust my gut.”
“And your gut is telling you our marriage will last?”
“Yes, Harper.” That and my heart. I never—never—believed in love at first sight. Not with my financial status and access to what I want, when I want it. But how else can I describe this uncontrollable urge to have her? To take care of her. To love her. And I know Harper is it like I know WEJ will exceed my wildest expectations. Now to convince her, we should do this together.
“That sounds insane, Liam.”
“I think you say that because it’s expected. You’re used to doing what other people expect of you. I don’t. Fuck the world. If you live trying to please others, you’ll die under the weight of their expectations.”
Her eyes dance with wonder. “What’s that like?”
“It’s freedom, baby.”
Chapter 11
Liam
I love Harper. We have six weeks until the roundtable.
Harper and I fight, make love, work, fight, make love, work. The strain of it pulling us apart and wielding us back together. Yet she hasn’t told her parents about the engagement. And in the throws of another epic Liam Harper showdown, I removed the ring. It now dangles on the chain near her heart.
