“One day, I’ll be able to buy you something bigger.”
“Don’t you dare. This means more to me than any other ring ever could. I love it. I love you, and I’m so happy to be a member of your family.”
“That’s why my mom wanted you to have that ring. That. What you just said. It’s because you love with your heart. You give and give and want nothing.”
“But you’ve given me everything, and I want something now.” My hand wraps around his dick. “And I expect you to give it to me.”
“Let’s plan our future,” Charlie says an hour later. We’re still naked after our lovemaking, but now I have my head on his chest. “I want a couple of daughters,” he says.
“No sons?”
“I’d rather have daughters. Alcohol doesn’t affect the women in my family. I’d turn into helicopter father if we had a boy.”
I take his hand in mine and kiss it. “There’s no way I would ever let you turn into your brother,” I giggle. “You’ll be a great father whether we have sons, daughters, or one of each. I want to start trying six months to a year after we get married.”
“We’ll start when you’re ready. Your call,” he says. “Just know that I’m ready whenever.”
I let go of his hand and reach for his dick. “You sure are,” I tease. “Let’s practice.”
Chapter 59
Violet
His arms tighten around me while I sit on his lap. I lean down and whisper, “I don’t know where we’re supposed to put everything. We said we didn’t want gifts.” I blow my breath up. The backyard of Colt and Vickie’s Montauk house is full of people, food, and presents for our weddingshower.
We said we only wanted this to be a party to celebrate our upcoming nuptials and that we didn’t need anything. The party planners, Vickie, Terri, my mom, and Mary Leigh, looked at us like we were crazy and told me to leave the party planning to them. In just a few short hours, I’ve received more gifts than I’ve ever received in my entire life.
“I’ll look into getting a small storage unit,” Charlie says. That’s Charlie. Always there to fix any problems I might have.
“I need to talk to you two,” my dad says out of nowhere as he looms over us. He sounds serious, and I wonder if he has concerns about Charlie’s new restaurant that’s opening soon. I’m also set to open a second gym in about six months, and I would hope he wouldn’t talk about that today, but dad talks about business whenever. That was one of the reasons his marriage to my mom failed.
I stand and he gestures for us to follow him inside the house. “Vickie said I could talk to you two in here.” He opens Vickie’s office and we step inside. He closes the door, reaches inside his jacket pocket, and hands me an envelope.
“This is for you both,” he says. “It’s my gift. I figured you guys didn’t need any dishes or towels.”
“Dad, you’re already paying for the wedding,” I remind him. “You don’t have to give us anything else.” I eye the envelope and already know that he’s written us a check. “We can’t take any more money.”
“You’re my only child. Paying for your wedding is not a gift. It’s my privilege. And do you think I would do something as unimaginative as giving you a check? Open the damn envelope,” he says with a laugh. “You’ll like it. I promise.”
I look at Charlie and he gestures for me to open it. Curious, I rip it open and pull out the folded piece of paper.
I stare at it for a full minute. Then I look up at Charlie, who’s also looking at it wide-eyed.
“Um, it looks like a deed,” I say, still stunned.
“Yeah. To the building you live in. It’s going to be yours,” he says. “I only ask one favor. Do you know Mrs. Janney?” I nod. She’s an elderly woman who has the unit right next to mine, only her unit is much bigger. She also lives alone. “She’s ninety-seven and has been living there longer than you both have been alive. I don’t charge her rent, and I ask that you don’t either. Now, when she’s no longer with us, I suggest you knock down a wall and combine the units. If you still want to continue living there, that is. I don’t see why you wouldn’t. It’s prime real estate and you’ll own it outright.”
I stare at Charlie, and he stares at me. Then, we both look down at the deed. I think we’re both stunned speechless.
“That building was always going to be yours. I’m proud of you, kid,” my dad says. “You’re smart, you work hard, and you made the gym a success. You got some of your daddy in you,” he teases. “Charlie, you’re not so bad either. You have potential, and I’m going to whip you into shape. You’re so lucky to have me as a father-in-law.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I say. “I don’t know what to say beyond that.” I put the paper on the desk and hug my dad. He opens his arms to Charlie, and the three of us share a group hug.
“Thanks, Miles,” Charlie says.
“You call me Dad, and you’re both welcome.
Charlie, I love you like a son, but if you ever hurt my daughter, they’ll never find your body. Got it?”