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“Oh shit. I’m sorry.”
“But I don’t care. I stayed away these past six months because her parents didn’t believe that I’m good for her given my past, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to win them over. They can’t hate me forever. I’ve done shitty things for sure, but I’ve never done anything shitty to Marissa.”
“Except bail on her the morning after Owen’s wedding,” he says matter of factly before taking a sip of his coffee and I give him my middle finger.
“Fuck you very much.”
“Man, what are the odds? I can’t believe Marissa is the girl from the wedding.”
“I can’t believe Raegan didn’t tell you last night.” I was shocked when I asked if he wanted to get breakfast so we could talk about what happened last night and he didn’t know exactly what I meant. “I guess she can keep a secret.”I laugh, which earns me a glare from him.
“Is she why you left Holly?”
“A big part, yes.”
“So, this is…real.”
“Very fucking real.” I lean across the table. “Is it real with you and Raegan?”
“Yeah.” He smiles. “But I told you about her months ago. This isn’t new! I certainly haven’t been keeping it from you for years. You guys don’t have a kid somewhere, do you?” He shakes his head and the thought of having a baby with Marissa sends that familiar spark to my dick.
“I love her.”
“I’m happy for you. You pining after this girl as long as you have…yeah, I bet it’s real.”
“Now I just have to talk to her parents.” I let out a breath. “They are not a fan of me.”
“You’ll win them over.”
A week later, I’m sitting outside of Marissa’s parents’ house wondering if it was the worst idea to not tell Marissa my plan. I knew she’d want to be here and I don’t want her parents to think I need her to protect me. It’s the middle of the workday, so Marissa is at work and she just assumes I’m out in the field. Only Wes—and maybe Raegan—knows that I’m here. I also didn’t want Marissa to know I have a ring and I plan on telling her parents that. I turn off the car and get out, and just like before, Marissa’s mother is standing next to my car with her hands on her hips and sunglasses over her eyes.
“Nothing ever gets by you, ma’am,” I say, trying to break the tension.
She lowers her sunglasses to her nose. “Come on in,” she says and I follow behind her into the house.
“Hon!” she calls.
“Yes, baby!” I hear.
“You may want to come down here! That one boy that can’t seem to stay away from our daughter is here.”
“Which one?” I hear.
“You mean which daughter?” She gasps. “It’s not Eric!”
He appears in the living room and when his eyes meet mine, they narrow behind his round wire frames. “I was hoping it wasn’t you.” He crosses his arms over his chest and stares me down. “What can we help you with?
“I know I am not your favorite person and certainly not your favorite person for your daughter.” I swallow nervously as they both continue to stare at me. “But…I should be. I love you daughter more than anything in the world. I’ve made a ton of mistakes; I won’t deny that, but I’ve always tried to do right by her, even when the circumstances may not have looked that way. I know I should have stayed away from her while I was married. I know that. I assume you know Alexis, her roommate from college. We met at her wedding.”
Marissa’s mom nods in realization and I watch as her hands fall from across her chest and she sits down on the couch. She looks at her husband and pats the space next to her. Though he’s still glaring at me, I can see his hardness softening a little when he takes the seat next to her.
“Owen has been my friend since we were kids, and all I kept thinking about that entire wedding was why am I married when all I want to do is talk to the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.” I slide my hand into my pocket and play with the ring box, my heart pounding at the thought of bringing it out and having her parents tell me something along the lines of over our dead bodies.
“I shouldn’t have approached her or tried to court her but…” I pause before continuing, “I knew I was getting divorced at some point. Not an excuse,” I add. “But I knew from the moment I laid eyes on her, that not only should I not be married, but I should be married to her. I didn’t know what love at first sight felt like until I saw your daughter for the first time, and…” I trail off. “That’s all I have. I’m just asking you for a chance. Now, I think at this point Marissa is ready to be with me without your blessing, but…she’s going to want you around while she plans a wedding.”
Marissa’s mom gasps and looks at Marissa’s father and then back to me. “Marriage?”
“I went into my last one with the wrong person…I know now what I want and what I need and I’ve never been as sure about anything as I am about Marissa and I think she feels the same way about me. I’m not planning to ask her tomorrow. We need some time as a couple with no drama, but…” I pull the box out of my pocket and set it on the coffee table in front of them. “I do have a ring.”
