Page 140 of Forgotten Desires

“No, actually, I’m here to ask you something.”

Asher leans against the back of the chair and his posture shifts. “Okay, what is it?”

“I would like your permission to marry Brynlee again.”

He looks at me, sort of like Brynn did when I told her I wanted to marry her again. I wasn’t kidding. I want to give her the wedding of her dreams. Not a shotgun wedding on the beach when neither of us were doing it for the reasons we should’ve.

“I’m not really sure what to say since you’re already married. Unless that wedding wasn’t real?”

I laugh once. “No, we’re actually married.”

“Then . . .”

“I’ve always tried to be a man who earned respect. Not just because of my money or last name, but because of who I am. If things hadn’t been so . . . stressful when we got married, I would’ve done it differently. You would’ve been asked, probably Howie too, since they’re in communication. I would’ve proposed the right way, and I want to give all of that to her. If she wants another wedding, we can have that. If she wants a party, here in Sugarloaf, we’ll do it. I never want to rob her of anything. So, this is me, as her husband, asking for your permission to ask her to marry me the right way. I plan to ask Grady and Rowan as well.”

When I proposed to her the first time, I told her I wasn’t going to rob her of the man she loved asking her in earnest. Now, it feels like I robbed her of it because I am that man. While a lot of this won’t make sense to anyone, it’s what I want to do for her.

Asher cracks a half grin and stands tall. “You know, all any of us have ever wanted for Brynn was to find a man worthy of her. I didn’t think such a person existed. I’m still not sure, but if there was one, I think it would be you. I’d like to stand here, give you shit, make you sweat it out, but after everything you did for her, I can’t. If you need my permission, you have it.”

“Thank you,” I say, extending my hand.

He shakes it and nods once. “I wish you luck with the other two. Well, Rowan more than Grady.”

“I appreciate that.”

I leave his house and head to Grady next, figuring it’s probably easier to go down the list of Whitlocks in order. I’m met with the same confusion as I was with Asher.

“You want to marry your wife?”

“I do.”

“I mean, what the hell does anyone say to that?” Grady asks with a laugh. “Carson, if you want to marry your wife, I say go for it. Besides, my permission isn’t really necessary, it’s up to Brynn. Not that I think you have anything to worry about. She seems pretty head over heels for you.”

I smile at that. “The feeling is mutual.”

“I believe that.”

“I appreciate you taking the time to hear me out.”

Grady nods. “First of all, you’re one of the key investors in my company, so of course, but besides that, you’re family now. Plus, you clearly love my sister, and you came clean to three men who would risk jail time to protect their sister. I think that’s pretty admirable.”

“My investment in your company wouldn’t change if things didn’t work with Brynlee. I genuinely believe in your vision.” I decided to invest a few months ago when Grady came to me with an expanded business plan. His other investor wasn’t willing to give more to grow his fleet and I see value in it.

There are definite perks to having pilots and planes on call and reserved for the VIP clients who need it.

“You’re a good man, Carson.” Grady extends his hand to me, and I shake it.

“I’m glad you think so because that’s all I want to be for your sister.”

“Where to now, sir?” Cliff asks as I get back in the car.

“To Charlotte and Rowan’s.”

He gives me a brief nod and we take the five-minute drive. When I get there, Charlotte laughs once when I explain my reason for being there and grabs her walkie-talkie.

“Rowan, Crew is here to see you.”

There’s a touch of static then he comes in. “Understood, Angry Elf. Is he waiting or does he want me to come see him later? Over.”

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