Page 122 of Loved

And I just sat there. Because I didn’t know what else to say. Was this because of the bullshit investigation? Or was it something else? “Mr. Taylor, I promise that…”

He held up his hand. “I appreciate you coming, James. But you don’t need my blessing. All you need is Penny’s answer.”

Did that mean he didn’t want me to ask her? Or he didn’t care? Or…what the hell? I came here for his blessing. And I wasn’t leaving without it. “With all due respect, I know family means a lot to Penny. And I know that she’d want me to ask. That’s why I’m here.”

“I wasn’t saying no to you,” he said. “I’m just saying you don’t need to ask. It’s Penny’s decision.”

I opened my mouth and closed it again.

“But if you had to say yes or no,” Rob said. “What would it be? I think my brother really wants to know.”

“It’s a yes,” Mrs. Taylor said. “Right, Peter?” She turned toward her husband. When he didn’t respond she put her hand on his shoulder. “Penny’s happy. You saw how happy James makes her. And she’ll be happy that he stopped by. Just give the boy your blessing.”

Mr. Taylor sighed. “I just wanted him to know it’s not my decision. It’s Penny’s.”

“Of course it’s Penny’s decision. But Penny is going to say yes. So it’s fine if you do too.”

Mr. Taylor turned to me. “You swear you’re only dating Penny? No other students?”

Jesus.“Of course. I’m obsessed with her.” It was the truest thing I’d ever said.

“She’s only twenty,” he said. “It’s pretty young to get married.”

I knew that would probably be one of his concerns. But I wasn’t in a rush for the ceremony. Her wearing my ring was enough for me for now. I just needed everyone toknow she was mine. I needed Penny to know that we were a team. “I know she’s only twenty. But I’ll love her until she’s ninety.” If I was lucky enough to live that long.

He slowly nodded his head.

“Yes? It’s a yes!” Rob yelled. “High-five.” He put his hand up for Ian to high-five. “Mission complete.”

Ian high-fived him unenthusiastically. Probably because Mr. Taylor’s response had been so unenthusiastic.

Rob put his hand up for me too. And honestly? Even an unenthusiastic yes was still a yes. This was a win. And I understood why Penny’s father had been hesitant. Those articles were pretty damning. I high-fived my brother.

“Pretzel?” he asked and offered me the bowl.

“I’m good,” I said. And I was. I was really fucking good. I’d found the perfect ring. I’d gotten Penny’s father’s blessing. Now I only had two more things to do. Go to New York and get Penny a spot at NYCU for the spring semester. And call the coffee shop where we first met. I would have gone there after getting the ring, but they weren’t open after dinner. Luckily Ian was great at finding whatever information I needed. He’d be able to find the owner’s personal number.

I was done waiting. Originally I’d thought I’d had to wait two semesters to be with Penny. Back when I thought she was a senior. And then it became six semesters. But now? Our relationship was public. Penny was dropping out of the University of New Castle for me. And she was going to be my fiancée. There was no reason to postpone anything. I was going to propose and whisk her away to New York City for our fresh start. As long as she said yes to my proposal.

“So why exactly did you ask Bob and Eli to come with you for this?” Penny’s father asked.

Bob and Eli?

“Don’t be rude,” Mrs. Taylor said. “It’s lovely to have you boys here too. Anyone want another glass of juice?”

Rob looked very confused.

“Did you hear her, Bob?” Mr. Taylor asked. “She asked if you’d like another orange juice.”

Rob looked around. “Are you talking to me?”

He nodded.

“My name is Rob. And that’s Ian.”

“Isn’t that what I said?”

I held back my laugh. No. No it was not. And I still had no idea if he just kept messing up people’s names to fuck with my head. Or maybe he was just fucking with Rob now. Because Rob looked very upset about being called Bob.

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