Page 147 of Love Me

He nods, his smile growing as if I have his approval. Not that I ever asked, but it feels good to know I have it.

He places a hand on my shoulder. “You never needed it, but you’ve always had my approval,” he tells me for the first time.

He lets out a chortle when I lift an eyebrow. “I knew you would keep her safe. Whatever type of relationship you had with her.”

He squeezes my shoulder, his eyes full of emotion.

“It’ll be a proud day for me to walk her down the aisle if you’re the groom.”

I drop my head and swallow the lump in my throat. Hearing him say this is almost as welcomed as it was to hear my father tell me that I never needed to be anything other than exactly who I am to be his son.

“Let me see the ring,” Damon says.

I pull out my phone and bring up the picture of the ring I had designed for Monique.

He whistles low. “Look at that.” His hand goes back to my shoulder, and he squeezes. “She’s going to love it.”

“Yeah, just don’t expect him to call you dad anytime soon,” my dad says as he comes up on my other side.

His blue eyes sparkle in pride. “It’s a beauty, isn’t it?” he says to Uncle Damon.

I can’t say anything as they both pat me on either shoulder. Instead, I stare across the room as my entire heart continues to talk with the artists and the guests in her new gallery. She’s arm-in-arm with her mother, proudly introducing her before talking about the pieces on display.

For a brief moment, our eyes lock from across the room. My entire body fills up with all of the love I have for her. She smiles at me, and I know, on instinct, that she’s thinking the same.

“You’re not proposing tonight, are you?” Damon asks.

I shake my head. “Tonight’s her night.”

“Good,” he answers. “You have other things to take care of before you propose to my daughter.” A slight gravity enters his voice.

My father squeezes my shoulder, knowing exactly what Uncle Damon is referring to.

Yeah, there is some business I need to take care of before calling Monique my fiancée. I owe it to her to finish it before I put this ring on her finger.

* * *

“Oh my god,”Monique moans as she lays back against the couch cushion. I’m on the floor in front of her, her left foot in my hands, massaging it. “You have magic hands,” she groans when I press my thumb into the ball of her foot, releasing the tightness I find there.

“You’ve been on your feet all day.”

I lower her left foot to the carpeted floor before moving to her right foot.

“It was so worth it.” She suddenly sits up. “Every single painting on display sold out!” she exclaims. “I knew it was a good decision to keep some paintings in inventory. We’re getting more next week. And we’re booked out for events for the next three months.”

Her eyes are so wide with happiness and joy that I can’t help but laugh. I take her head in between my hands.

“I’m so proud of you, baby,” I tell her before pulling her in for a kiss. I intend for it to be quick, but she deepens it.

She slides her body onto the floor so that we’re both on our knees facing one another. She wraps her arms around my neck.

“Thank you,” she says against my lips. “Tonight wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for you.”

I shake my head and move a few strands of her hair away from her face. “This was all you. I’m just a proud bystander.”

She rolls her eyes. “You’re so much more than that. Let me show you how much,” she says. Her hands slide to the button of my pants, undoing it.

I place my hands over hers. “Wait.” I pick up my phone and check the app on my phone that tells me her numbers.

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