Page 69 of Love to Defy You
Willow fiddles with her heart-shaped necklace, running her fingers over the stones like she often does when she’s nervous. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” She holds her phone up and starts a video call. As the phone rings, she takes a deep breath.
Moments later, her father’s face appears on the screen. “Good morning, kiddo. Oh, hey, Aleksandr.S Novym Godom.”
I give a polite nod toward the screen. “S Novym Godom, David. You sound more like a native of Andarusia every time I see you.”
He chuckles. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”
Willow glances between me and her father. “What does ‘snotty go dumb’ mean?”
Her father snorts. “Happy New Year.”
“Oh, cool.” She grows quiet and nods at the screen.
“How’s Zurich?” he probes.
“It’s been eventful.” I poke Willow in the side, and she yelps.
David arches his eyebrows. “Oh, yeah? How so?”
Willow rubs at her rib cage and throws me a glare, but her face softens when our eyes meet. “Well, uh, we have some big news.” With another deep breath, she holds up her hand, flashing her ring at the screen. “We’re engaged.” She winces, bracing herself for his reaction.
David’s brown eyes grow wide.
After a few beats pass, Willow says, “Please, Dad, say something.”
He shakes his head and starts to chuckle. “Oh, honey, I’m just messing with you. Aleksandr already told me.”
Willow whips her head sideways to look at me. “You did? When?”
I share a laugh with her father. “I had to ask for his blessing, didn’t I?”
“So, you just let me panic all morning about calling him?” she asks.
I tap her nose with my finger. “It was fun to watch you squirm.”
Willow wilts against me as she lets out a long exhale. She turns back to the phone screen. “And you’re fine with all this?”
David holds up a finger. “I gave him my blessing on one condition: that you wait until after you graduate college to get married. I want you focused on your studies, not planning a wedding. Trust me, it’s a lot. Galina is pulling her hair out.”
“And I agreed to your father’s terms, along with your dowry,” I add.
David can’t contain his laugh. “Yeah, I offered him a mule to take you off my hands.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’m not sure if I like my father and my boyfriend conspiring together like this.”
“Fiancé,” I correct her.
Mr. Baker’s laugh fades into a smile. “I’m happy for you, kiddo. I think about the sulky teen who showed up on my doorstep not that long ago. At the time, I wasn’t sure if I would ever see you this happy.” He swipes at his eye with his hand. “You’ve come a long way, Willow, and I know Aleksandr had a lot to do with that.”
“Dad...” Willow sniffs. “Stop, you’re going to make me cry.”
David glances at me. “Just keep taking good care of my daughter.”
I caress my thumb against Willow’s arm. “I will.”
“Bye, honey. I love you.” He waves at us.
“Love you too.” Her voice breaks. “Bye.”
