Page 37 of Marry Me Tomorrow
Henry chuckles, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Didn’t do something I shouldn’t have, did I?”
“No, you could never,” I reply with a small laugh. “It’s about Jenny.”
His expression shifts, his ears practically perking up. “Is everything okay? Is she okay?”
“She’s fine,” I reassure him quickly. “In fact, I saw her up at the shop this morning.”
He swats me lightly on the arm, a gesture so familiar it makes me grin. Must be where Jenny gets it from. “You can’t say something like that and leave me hanging—you trying to give me a heart attack?”
“Sorry. No, definitely not.” I shift in my seat, suddenly feeling the weight of what I want to say. “I just . . . it’s about the wedding.”
Henry studies me for a moment, his gaze sharp but kind. “You’re not going to back out, are you?”
“No, no,” I say quickly, shaking my head. “I just wanted to talk to you and ask for your blessing to marry Jenny. To let you know that I promise to take care of Jenny. To make sure she never wants for anything and that I’ll be a good husband to her.”
Henry lets out a hearty laugh, the sound rumbling like distant thunder. “Oh, is that all? Boy, you had me nervous for nothing. Of course, you have my blessing. And I know you will take care of her. Look at what you’ve already done. You’re a good egg, and I know you and Jenny will be very happy together.” He leans back in his seat, the wood creaking softly. “Did I ever tell you that her grandmother Cora and I knew each other for about a month and a half before we got engaged? Son, when you know, you know. I couldn’t be happier to have you join the family. Did you think I was worried about the timing of all this?”
“Yes . . . no . . . I don’t know,” I admit, pulling off my cap and running a hand through my hair. “It’s just that I never expected to find someone so soon. I always figured I’d want to get married one day, but then Jenny came into my life. Quite literally fell into it. And nothing’s been the same since.”
Henry nods, his smile softening. “Oh yeah, Jenny told me about the day you met. I never properly thanked you for saving her life. I don’t know how I’d go on without my granddaughter. Losing my Cora was the lowest point of my life, and if it wasn’t for Jenny . . . I don’t know where I’d be. I couldn’t be more grateful, son.”
His words hit me like a wave, and I feel a lump rising in my throat. Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, and I look down, blinking quickly to hold them back. Even if this marriage started as an agreement, I realize I want Jenny to feel cared for and valued. Maybe, just maybe, the connection that’s developing between us doesn’t have to end when our agreement does. Maybe we could make it work—like Henry and Cora did—and have a life full of love and happiness.
I rise, placing my cap back on and offering Henry my hand. He takes it firmly, his grip steady and reassuring. “Thank you, Henry, for everything. I won’t let you down.”
His smile deepens, the kind of smile that carries years of wisdom and unshakable faith. “I know you won’t, son. I know you won’t.”
“Alright,” Greg says, flashing a grin as he steps onto the pontoon boat, “let’s do this.” The wood of the dock creaks beneath his weight, and I catch the faint smell of sunscreen and engine oil as the evening breeze picks up.
Greg, Niall, and I pile into the boat, the aluminum hull wobbling slightly under our shifting feet. It’s one of the marina’s trusty pontoons—nothing fancy, but perfect for nights like this. We’ve got a cooler loaded with sodas and snacks, fishing poles leaned up against the railing, and the calm waters of the lake stretching out ahead of us.
The air is fresh, carrying the mingled scents of pine and lake water. Above, the sky is streaked with hues of orange and pink, the last remnants of the sunset casting a golden glow over the rippling surface. It’s peaceful out here, the kind of peace I hadn’t realized I’d missed until now.
Life has been a whirlwind, and while we don’t need an excuse to hang out, tonight’s “bachelor party” finally gave us the chance. It feels like forever since we’ve done this—just the three of us.
The three amigos.
The three musketeers.
There’s nothing we can’t figure out together, no secrets we can’t share.
Which is why, as the boat slows in the middle of the lake, I feel like I have to say it now. The engine’s gentle hum fades, leaving only the soft lapping of water against the hull. The lake stretches out around us, dark and endless under a sky now sprinkled with the first stars of night.
“I have to tell you something, Niall,” I say, breaking the silence. My voice sounds steadier than I feel.
“Alright, mate,” Niall replies, his attention on baiting his hook, “out with it.”
I take a deep breath, staring down at my hands. “Jenny and I are only getting married because of some rule my grandfather made about owning the marina.”
“What?” Niall stops, his fishing pole forgotten as he turns to face me.
“We’re only getting—”
“No,” Niall holds up a hand. “What are you talking about? I thought you and Jenny fell in love while she was working at the marina.”
“Well, we like each other, that’s for sure,” I admit. “But it didn’t start off that way.”
Greg leans back, crossing his arms. “You’d better explain it all to him, starting from the beginning.”
