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“Not at all,” Chandler replies again and sits in his chair, steepling his hands. “How can I help you? I trust everything with our quarterbacks is okay.”
“Yes, sir, the team is doing well.” I sit across from him and glance over at Rome, who’s watching me with a smug grin on his lips. “I wanted to discuss London with you.”
“Go on,” Chandler replies.
“I’d like to marry your daughter, sir, and I would like your blessing before I propose to her.”
“I see.” He glances at Rome and then down at his hands. “And if I say no?”
“I’ll still ask her.” I smile humorlessly. “But my parents raised me to be respectful, and I’d like your blessing before I do.”
“I told you the night of the gala that this wouldn’t last,” he replies after a moment of consideration. “We both know that she came with you that night to shake off Felix.”
“Maybe. But that’s not the situation now. It hasn’t been for a long while.”
“No, I can see that. What is it about my daughter that you think you’ve fallen in love with?”
I sit back and take a deep breath. “I hope you have some time on your hands for this answer. London is smart. She has a sharp intellect and a quick wit, and because of those qualities, along with compassion and passion, she’s been successful in her businesses.Allof her businesses. She loves working and building something to be proud of. She’s so fucking funny. She makes me laugh all the time, and you know what? She’s not afraid to stick up for herself, to stand up for what’s right.”
I shake my head, thinking of how she called me out in Montana.
“She’s brave. And she wants to belong to something great. She wants aclosefamily, but she’s too shy to ask for one. London’s loyal, Mr. Ambrose. Sometimes I wonder if she’s loyal to a fault, but I don’t think so. She loves you.”
That makes him blink in surprise.
“She talks about you often, and I think she’s proud of you. Of both of you. But what I love most about London is what an absolutely amazing mom she is. Caleb is lucky to have a mother so dedicated to him. She doesn’t do it out of responsibility. She does it because sheenjoysbeing a mom. She loves being with her son, and that’s something that I both respect and love about her. The three of us have a great time together. I love them both very much.
“You don’t have to worry. I’ll be happy to sign a prenup or whatever it is you want me to sign. I don’t give a shit about the money. As you know, I come from a wealthy, influential family. Not to mention, I do just fine for myself. I wanther.All of her and Caleb, and any other children we’re lucky enough to have.”
He’s quiet for another moment. I don’t look away from him, and his face finally relaxes, and he nods slowly.
“I can admit that you’re not who I would have chosen for her. It’s nothing personal, mind you. But it seems that you’re who she’s chosen, and I’m not going to try to stop it. I’m proud of my daughter, Drew, and I know that I may not be good at showing it, but I love her. I want what’s best for her.”
“It sounds like all three of us are on the same page there.”
I see Rome nod out of the corner of my eye.
“If it’s my blessing you want, I’ll give it. Do you have an engagement ring chosen for her?”
I blink, surprised by the question.
“I was going to shop for that this afternoon, actually.”
Chandler and Rome share a look, and then Chandler opens his desk drawer and pulls out a small box.
“You can decline this offer,” he says as he flicks open the lid. A large diamond, surrounded by more diamonds, winks out at me. “This is a vintage Tiffany & Co. ring that belonged to my mother. I never offered it to Adelaide. It’s only been worn by my mother.”
“Did your parents have a good marriage?” I ask him.
“Yes. When she died, my father never stopped grieving, and he died less than a year after her. He just couldn’t live through life without her.”
“London loves that ring,” Rome adds. “She used to get into trouble as a kid for sneaking it out of the safe and staring at it.”
“Well, that pretty much seals the deal, doesn’t it?” I grin at both men. “If she loves it, and it’s a family heirloom, that’s the ring she should have.”
“When will you propose?” Rome asks. “Christmas morning? That’s tomorrow.”
“I thought about that,” I admit. “Then I considered doing it at the game on Sunday. She’s bringing Caleb.”
