Page 139 of Committed to You

Stunned, I don’t say a word and try to stop my mouth from dropping open.

“Then I met my Calixta. She was immune to my charm and antics. I had to commit to her to be with her. I had to let all my playboy ways go. It took me a bit of time to realize it, and I almost lost her.”

Why is he telling me this?

“I had a crazy girl…several that didn’t like it when I got serious with Calixta.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“What happened?”

“Calixta received some threats. Nothing ever happened, but it could have. We were lucky. But I know what could have happened.”

“I’m glad nothing did,” I tell him.

He focuses on me. I try not to squirm under his stare. A few minutes pass. “No matter what the past was, why this happened, or how, you risked your life to save my daughter’s. You are a true man in my eyes, and I’m grateful you are in my daughter’s life.”

I am choked up. After a few deep breaths, I manage to say, “Thank you, sir.”

“Nico. Remember, my wife will have my balls for breakfast.”

I laugh but have to hold my stomach from the pain that shoots through it.

When my pain settles, I take a deep breath. “Nico, I want to ask you something.”

“Go on.”

“I want your permission to marry Vivian. I don’t have a ring yet, but I’ll have the best one designed for her.”

I’m surprised when tears form in his eyes. “If you promise to always love and protect her to the best of your ability, then you have my permission.”

I nod. “I promise. Always.”

He takes a deep breath. “We have Sunday dinners. They aren’t required, you’re both adults, but we’d like to have as many as we can with you before we are too old to know what’s going on.”

I chuckle. “I think Sunday dinners sound pretty awesome.”

“Calixta said you created a foundation and funded it for Vivian?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“She inspired me. I know how much the park and gardens mean to her. Vivian will do an amazing job running her own foundation. What she’s accomplished already is beyond incredible.”

Pride flashes across his face. “Yes, it is. You did a generous thing.”

“As I said, she inspired me.”

“There’s one more thing if you’re going to marry my Vivian.”

“What’s that?”

“My wife has been dying for grandbabies. She wants lots of grandbabies.”

“I’ll give Calixta as many grandbabies as Vivian allows me to.”

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