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“Nelly and I have been dating for a while, and thinking about what you said made me realize waiting was a waste of time. We’re ready to do this.”
“Ethan and I kept things private because it's what I wanted, but now I’m ready to be his wife, Grandpops. I think it’s the right step.”
“The right step?” Grandpops questions, and I fear he will say no before he looks at me again.
“Yes, Grandpa,” I reply, and he scrutinizes me again before his next question lands.
“Are you really in love with her?”
The question comes as I’m taking a sip of water, and I burst into a loud cough, choking on it a little.
“Easy … Sorry,” Nelly murmurs before handing me a napkin.
“Thanks, babe,” I whisper to her, then glance at my grandfather to find his lips pressed into a thin line.
I turn back to look at Nelly and find her eyes are still on me. The intensity of her look drowns me in a wave of heat, and my throat tightens.
A palpable tension sizzles in the air around us. Time stills and everything fades away while we stare into each other’s eyes. Her eyes are a warm sanctuary and I can get lost in them all day.
“I’m in love with her, Grandpops. Nelly’s the most dedicated soul I’ve ever met, and that makes me fall deeper in love with herevery single day.” I lift a hand to stroke one side of her cheek tenderly. Time stills for me, and everything fades as we stare into each other’s eyes.
I wonder if Nelly feels the same things rattling through me.
“I love her,” I continue when I finally take a moment to breathe. “It took me a while to realize it, Grandpops. It took a long time because I didn’t think I’d ever be able to open up to anyone.”
“But with Nelly, it’s different. She’s such a dedicated and loving soul. She’s the only woman who’s made me feel like I can trust someone and not get hurt.”
“You know how hard it’s been for me to take relationships seriously, Grandpops. I was a kid when mom and dad got divorced, but that experience cemented something in me. Nelly made me fall for her without even realizing it, and I’m hoping we get to do this for a long time.”
A flush grows on Nelly’s cheeks while I peer deep into her eyes, and she doesn’t blink or look away. My answer should be a lie, but yet my pulse hammers with a rush that’s hard to ignore.
“And you Nelly? Being married to Ethan is what you want?”
When Nelly places a hand over mine, I nearly gasp from the shock of feeling her warmth seep into me. Hot air blasts through my lungs and heightens the sensations she stirs in me.
“Ethan’s the only man for me, Grandpa, and your blessing will mean everything to both of us.”
She adverts her eyes from me and turns to look at Grandpops. I’m forced to do the same and ignore the flush zapping through me.
“Then you have my blessings,” he announces to my shock after the long silence passes. Relief floods me, and Nelly releases a short laugh of excitement.
“Welcome to the family, Nelly.” Nelly gets on her feet to hug him, and our lunch arrives a few minutes after she settles down again.
“You know this will be good for you, son, and for the company’s image. Your father, God bless his soul, also needed a little push to marry your mother. Even though it didn’t last, she still made him a better man. A woman like Nelly is just what you need.”
He turns to Nelly this time, and his smile stays steady. “What are your plans for Sunny Aerospace once you two get married? Ethan has mentioned a merger to me. What do you think Nelly? How will this merger benefit your company and what will you provide to Hart Holdings?”
“I’ve given it a lot of thought, Grandpops,” Nelly answers and her deep sigh makes me turn to her. “If we merge, Sunny Aerospace will have the resources to continue operations. We can venture into manufacturing engines for other vehicles as well and perhaps expand internationally. Of course, any decision made will be in benefit of Hart Holdings.”
“I agree,” I nod, then touch Nelly’s hand again before meeting her gaze with a grin. “We are a team now, Grandpops. Nelly and I.”
My grandfather seems very pleased as he digs into his meal with gusto. The scent of spices mingling in our grilled flank steak served in soy sauce and vegetables tantalize my nostrils. My mouth waters even before the side baked potatoes arrive with another glass of sweet cherry wine.
“Let me tell you something about marriage,” Robert says after a pause. “It’s just as tough as it is beautiful. You should know that it won’t be an easy ride the entire time,” Grandpops begins while we enjoy lunch.
He pins his eyes on me and adds. “There will be moments when you wish you hadn’t done this. Moments when you want to back out. That is real life, Ethan. In real life, relationships don’t last solely on the sensations you make each other feel.”
“I think Ethan is worth the effort, sir,” Nelly answers before I can, and I’m grateful that she’s playing this part so well.