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Mom? She’d have the wedding planner on speed dial and would be asking us for dates.

Iris? She’d let everyone know we were engaged before I could even slip the ring on Sin’s finger.

My father? He barely reacts as he hands me a glass of brown liquid that I know just from the scent that it’s bourbon.

“Does she know this?” he asks once he settles in the chair across from mine, taking a sip of his drink.

“Not yet.” I take a sip as well, wincing at the strong taste. It goes down easy though. Nice and smooth. “But she will.”

“She’s young. Your mother told me she’s only eighteen.”

“She’ll turn nineteen in January.” Sinclair is incredibly young. When I was eighteen, I was a fucking wreck who wanted zero responsibilities. And here I am, ready to spring marriage on her. I’m rushing things but damn. Every family member who said it happens fast was right. I know she’s the one for me.

The only one.

“A baby,” my father murmurs, staring into his glass. “We were babies too, your mother and I.”

“I know.”

“And look at us.” He lifts his head, his gaze hazy. Making me think he’s consumed with memories. “We’ve been married a long time and we’re still happy.”

“Are you?” When he frowns, I continue. “You’re truly happywith Mom? Nothing bad has happened between the two of you? You’re not sick of each other?”

That’s always the fear for me. Commitment is a lifelong thing. There’s not much divorce throughout my family. I could never imagine wanting to be with someone forever until recently.

“Plenty bad has happened over the years. You can’t form a life with someone and not have the occasional tragedy occur. Deaths in the family. Scandal. Drama. It’s all part of life, son. Your mother and I have arguments. We get irritated with each other. I hate how damn cheerful she is in the morning and the woman doesn’t even drink coffee. And I drive her crazy with how I’m an asshole all the time for no real reason.”

Sounds familiar.

“We’ve dealt with familial issues. Sometimes we don’t always agree on things, but we know how to compromise. Our love for each other is too strong to just give up,” he explains. “Life isn’t perfect but it’s ours and what we share is enough. More than enough. I’m a lucky man.”

The reverence in his tone for my mother is sincere. When I was younger their love overwhelmed me. All the stories and family lore made it seem like they were completely obsessed and I’m guessing they were and still are. I didn’t like the idea of being so caught up in someone that you can’t think about anything else.

And now here I am, living it. Caught up in Sinclair to the point that I know she’s going to be my wife. Maybe not right away, but eventually. I can be patient.

Somewhat.

“Can I give you some advice?” Dad asks after a few quiet minutes.

“Sure.” Will it be something I want to hear or what he thinks I should hear?

“Don’t rush it. She’s going nowhere, but if you push her toohard, she might run away and then you’ll have to chase her.” He frowns, lost in his memories, no doubt. “There’s nothing worse than having the love of your life hide from you because she’s—scared. Don’t let that happen to you and this girl. Don’t scare her.”

“I would never,” I scoff, offended.

The look my father sends my way is a very obviouscome on. “You’re just like me, August. And we can be…intimidating.”

“So don’t intimidate her. Got it.” I nod once, already bored. My Sin gets off on me intimidating her. It’s her favorite thing. I won’t scare her. This is a woman who stands up to me every single time.

We’ll be fine.

Chapter Forty-Eight

SINCLAIR

The Lancaster house is huge and opulent. The rooms are ginormous. They even have a ballroom, and that’s where many of the family weddings and receptions have been held. When August’s mother drops that little factoid, I immediately envision my wedding with August in this very room. Me in a beautiful white dress and August in a black tux. Hundreds of people in attendance with pink and white flowers everywhere and a string quartet playing. I can see it.

Silly but true.