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I smile as she approaches, and bend to kiss her cheek. “Thanks for agreeing to meet with me.”
Darian smiles back at me. “Of course, Carter. You want to tell me what we’re doing here, on jeweler’s row?”
I nod. “Reagan told me that she came clean with you all last night. I know it was a huge relief for her. She hated lying to you.”
“I’m not thrilled that she did, Carter. It’s very out of character for her. I’m not happy you brought out that side of her.”
“I understand. I take full responsibility for everything. Please know that I did have good intentions. We both did.”
“That’s what Reagan tells us.”
“Regardless of how it all began, we’ve changed course. I want to be with her. I love her very much.”
Darian tentatively nods. “I can’t lie, Carter. I’m skeptical. I don’t know who or what to believe anymore. I’m worried about the strong feelings she has for you. I’m worried for her heart. I’m worried about your father’s grudge against her. I don’t know where it’s coming from.”
“I won’t let him hurt Reagan or her business. I promise. I want to prove myself to you. I’ll do whatever it takes. I want to ask her to marry me. For real this time.”
She shakes her head. “I’m not sure you guys are ready for that. Yourrealrelationship has only just begun. You have a lot of obstacles to overcome.”
“I think when you realize that you don’t want to spend another minute of your life without someone, that’s how you know you’re ready, regardless of how long you’ve been together. I can no longer imagine anything in my life without her being there by my side. I can honestly say that I don’t care about or love anything in this world as much as I care about and love her.”
“She’s a spirited woman, Carter. She always has been. She’s not Holly Homemaker. It’s not just her by your side. She has her own goals. You need to be by her side too.”
I smile. “That’s one of the things I love the most about her. I wouldn’t change that for anything in the world. I want to be by her side while she shines bright. I never want to dull her light. It shines too bright.”
Darian is silent.
“I promise you I’ll never hurt her. I’ll love her unconditionally. I’ll support her dreams. If she wants to run the world, I’ll be her number one cheerleader. She’s my everything. I want her as my wife forever.”
She stares at me for a few moments letting it all sink in. “Is that why we’re here?” She points to the grouping of well-known jewelry stores.
I nod. “Yes, but first, I want to ask your permission. As I’m sure you know, Reagan still feels the loss of her father very deeply.” Darian immediately has tears welling in her eyes.
I rub her shoulder. “He was, and still is, extremely special to her. I know this is a conversation she would have preferred I had with the both of you. I owe you both the respect of asking for your blessing. I don’t think she’ll agree to anything less. Her family means everything to her. It’s one of the special things about her that I love so much.”
Darian smiles through her tears, which are now streaming down her cheeks. “I think Scott would have liked you, Carter. There’s something about the two of you that’s very similar. He always recognized how special Reagan is. He felt like of all my girls, she’d be the one who would ascend to the greatest heights. He wanted to make sure she had a partner who allows her to blossom, not one who holds her back.”
“I swear to you, I want to be that for her. I’ll do anything for her. I love her.”
She slowly nods. “I see that.” She grabs my hand. “Come on. Let’s go spend your giant inheritance on my daughter’s ring.”
I laugh. “Gladly.”
* * *
After finding the perfect ring,I walk back into my office building with what must be a goofy smile, but I don’t really care. I’m on cloud nine right now. I’ve been dreaming up ways to propose for a few days. I know she doesn’t want anything overly dramatic. That’s not her style.
I take the elevator up to my office. I turn on my cell phone as the elevator ascends to my floor. I had it powered off while I was with Darian. I have several missed calls and texts from LeRond. The texts are frantic, seemingly about getting back to the office as soon as possible.
The elevators doors open to my floor before I have a chance to read all of them. LeRond runs to me looking like a mad man.
“What’s wrong?”
He’s out of breath like he just ran a marathon, but manages to spit out, “Reagan’s here. Office sex. She knows… delivery man… Upset. Crying… in your father’s office.”
I open my eyes wide. Only two bits of information are clear. “Reagan’s here, and she’s in my father’s office?” I start running that way. “Are you fucking crazy? Why did you let her go in there alone?”
I get to the office door. It’s locked. I start pounding. I hear my father moaning.
