Page 93 of Electric Blue Love
“Of course.”
“You asked me what it took for a woman to get my attention. Do you remember that?”
“Yes,” I said, the trepidation clear in my voice.
“I think I knew the answer even then, but I just wasn’t willing to accept that some woman I met on a plane could knock me on my ass with one look. It was you. You were what it took to get my attention. I took one look at you in your sparkly shoes and electric blue eyes and I fell for you. I didn’t want to believe it was possible, but I think I’ve loved you from the minute I saw you. You were so sincere, honest, beautiful, and completely true to yourself. I told you to be something other than that and I’m sorry. I never should have let you do that. Not for some other guy and not for me. I love you. YOU, 8B.”
He looked like he wanted to say more, but he didn’t, and silence filled the house as I watched emotion and love distort his beautiful face.
“I love you, too.”
His head snapped up and his eyes locked with mine. “You do?”
“Duh,” I said and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Which is exactly what I just told Todd. He wished us well.”
Court’s eyebrows raised in disbelief. “You did?”
“I left out your name in case he’s a secret spy sent by your father, but yeah. I don’t want Todd or anyone else, just you. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
A cocky grin took over his face and he wrapped his arms around my waist and buried his face into my neck. “My little, 8B. All mine.”
He pulled back, mischief and trouble written all over his face. “Have time for a naked fashion show?”
Iwas sweatingthrough my shirt, the jewelry box in my pocket starting to feel heavy. All the events leading up to this had been easy. Deciding when and how to propose, buying the ring, even planning out the things I wanted to say as I asked Bianca to marry me had come naturally.
In the six months that we’d been officially dating, I’d left no question about my intentions of marrying her and keeping her forever. But planning out your life with someone was a lot different than asking your girlfriend’s father if he approved of you enough to allow you to take over his number one responsibility – taking care of his kid.
I didn’t take that responsibility lightly. He hadn’t taken it lightly either. All his children had grown up watching him love their mother unconditionally – in sickness and in health. He had provided for their family financially, and most importantly had been a steady and reliable fixture in their lives. Each of his kids loved him and looked up to him and he’d earned that.
I wasn’t nervous about being that person for Bianca. I’d give anything for her. She’d blossomed in the short time I’d known her. Come into her own and found her way. And I loved her more every day. No matter who she decided to be or what changes life brought us. There was no version of her I wouldn’t love.
But I was nervous her father wouldn’t see all the things in me he needed in order to feel comfortable that I’d be able to provide and love his daughter for the rest of our lives. I was ready to make my case, though.
“Mr. Winters.” I cornered him in the back yard. Bianca and her mother were at the store getting groceries for our Sunday dinner and the boys were lounged out in front of the TV inside.
“Court,” he lowered the newspaper and smiled. “How many times do I have to tell you to call me Glenn?”
“Glenn,” I said and took a seat across from him on the wicker patio furniture.
“Beautiful day out.” He looked up to the blue sky as if he’d just noticed and folded the newspaper and sat it on the table. He leaned back and pulled his coat tighter around his midsection. The sun might have been shining bright, but the late winter temperatures were still brutal.
I nodded. I couldn’t think of a single thing to say about the weather.
“I wanted to talk to you.”
A flash of concern crossed his face, but it was gone quickly. “Of course. Everything okay?”
“Yes. Things are really great. Actually, I wanted to talk to you about Bianca. I know we’ve just been dating a short time, but I’d like your blessing to ask her to marry me.” I pulled out the ring box and sat it on the table.
His eyes were glued to the box and every second of silence felt like an eternity.
“I love your daughter, sir. I’d do anything for her, for any of you. I didn’t have a traditional family like this growing up, but I promise I’ll do my best to give her everything she wants and needs. You may think it’s crazy to propose this fast, but I’ve been as patient as I can. I was ready to propose six months ago.”
I had other things I’d planned to say, but I stopped and waited for him to say something. Anything. If he had questions, I’d answer them. If he had concerns, I’d tell him how they weren’t justified.
“I proposed to Lucy on our third date. I didn’t have a ring, I hadn’t asked her father – hell, I hadn’t even thought it through. I just knew I needed her. Love makes people do crazy things, but you and Bianca… that’s not crazy. She loves you. You’ve made her happier than I can ever remember her being. That’s all I want for her and for you.”
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I held. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
