Page 42 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 11

Saturday

“Should we just stay in the car?” Ian asked.

“No, that would be super weird,” Rob said. “We’ll come in.”

Honestly I wasn’t sure which was less weird. But I didn’t know how long this was going to take. And you weren’t supposed to leave people in the car. Or was that animals? Or babies? Rob probably would cry like a little baby if I left him in the car with Ian. “Yeah, you guys can come in.”

“Sweet.” Rob climbed out of the car.

I quicky hurried after him. I really did not want him to just stroll right into Penny’s childhood home uninvited. “Hold up.” I grabbed his arm to stop him from turning the doorknob. “You can’t just walk in.”

“Why? Aren’t they expecting us?”

“No.”

He raised his eyebrows. “You didn’t call them in advance?”

I shook my head. “Shit, should I have?”

“Probably. It’s rude to show up uninvited, James. Especially when propositioning his daughter.”

Well, fuck. It was too late now. But I wasn’t propositioning Penny, so hopefully that would help.

“What if they’re asleep?” Ian asked.

“It’s only like 8 o’clock.”

He shrugged. “Well it’s really dark inside. Maybe they’re not home.”

“Only one way to find out.” I rang the doorbell. And waited. And waited. We all looked at each other.

"I don’t think they’re home,” said Rob. And then he knocked on the door super loudly.

No! Stop it!

But his knocking must have done the trick, because finally a light turned on and the curtains to the side of the window moved. The curtains fell back and the door opened.

“Oh, James,” Mr. Taylor said. “What are you and these boys doing here so late?” He didn’t open the door any further. Like he was worried we were about to jump him or something. Or…did he look kind of mad at me?

Crap, I really should have called.

“Did you say James?” Mrs. Taylor opened the door the rest of the way with a huge smile. “What a surprise. We were just watching a movie and we thought we heard the bell. But then we thought no one would be ringing at this hour. But then we heard the knock.”

“Sorry,” I said. “I didn’t mean to disturb your movie.”

“Good,” Penny’s dad said. “Because as my wife just said, we’re busy watching a movie. See you boys later.” He tried to close the door, but Mrs. Taylor stopped him.

“Nonsense. Come in, come in.” She stepped to the side. “And who are your friends?”

I stepped inside. “This is my brother, Rob. And this is Ian.”

“Nice to meet you, ma’am,” Ian said and put his hand out for her.

“It’s even nicer for me to meet you,” Rob said and shook her hand next.

She laughed. The flush crossing her cheeks reminded me of Penny.

“It’s a little late, James,” Mr. Taylor said. “Was there something you boys needed?”

“They probably need something to drink,” suggested Penny’s mom. “Do you want some water? Or a soda? We also have some orange juice…”

“Thanks, but I’m not thirsty,” I said. And why was Mr. Taylor being so curt? I thought we were okay after our last talk. I even thought he might like me.

“I could use some juice,” Rob said.

I glared at him. Was he not reading the room right now?

But Mrs. Taylor seemed happy about it. “Come on into the kitchen and we’ll fix you kids up something.”

It was weird that she’d referred to us as kids. Especially because of why I was here. We all sat down. And I felt awkward. But Ian and Rob didn’t seem to.

“So how did the two of you become friends?” Mrs. Taylor asked Ian.

“Well, I actually work for James,” he said.

“Oh? Doing what?”

Fuck, I still needed to tell Penny. I’d tell her tomorrow. After I proposed. Right after.

“I run his security detail,” Ian said.

Mr. Taylor took a sip of his juice. “Security detail? I didn’t realize you needed one of those.”

“I don’t really,” I said.

“I mean you kind of do,” Ian said. “More so in New York City, of course. But just the other day Isa…”

“I really don’t,” I said more firmly. Chill, Ian.

They didn’t need to know that Isabella had broken into my apartment.

Or that NYC was dangerous when I was planning on moving there with Penny.

And Mr. Taylor already seemed upset about something.

The last thing I wanted was for him to think I was putting his daughter in danger.

Ian cleared his throat. “I really don’t do much. I just like…read magazines most of the time.”

“Interesting,” Penny’s father said.

“Very interesting,” Rob agreed. “I thought you preferred watching movies instead? Low budget stuff. And by that I mean…”

I cleared my throat. “Anyway, the reason I stopped by is because I needed to talk to you. Both of you.”

“Is Penny okay?” her mom asked. “We haven’t heard from her since your last visit. We’ve been worried sick.”

Penny hadn’t texted them since then? She hadn’t told them anything at all? Fuck. “Oh. Well. A lot has happened actually. I resigned.”

“Oh no,” Mrs. Taylor said. “Why did…”

“I read the new article,” Mr. Taylor said, cutting her off. “ Articles actually. All of them.”

Seriously, fuck.

“There were more articles?” Mrs. Taylor asked. “Why didn’t you tell me? I’d like to read them too. Were any of them in today’s paper? I have it in the other room.”

“It wasn’t favorable,” he said. “It’s probably better if you don’t read it.”

“Oh. Oh my,” she said.

This was really not going well. “Mr. Taylor, whatever you read in the paper isn’t true. I assured you last time I was here that Penny was the only student I’ve been involved with.”

“That was before the investigation found…”

“What investigation?” Penny’s mom asked. “There was an investigation?”

“It’s bogus,” Rob said through a mouthful of pretzels.

Where had he gotten a snack from?

Rob kept munching. “The university just wanted to cover up the scandal as fast as possible. James didn’t sleep with any other students, despite what those fuckers said.”

And why was he cursing? Stop it, Rob!

“He’s in love with Penny. I’ve seen it firsthand. They’re smitten.” He winked at me like he thought he was helping.

I wanted to slug him.

But Mr. Taylor somehow looked appeased by his explanation.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

Rob picked up another pretzel. “He’s actually here to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”

Seriously, what the fuck, Rob?!

“What?” Mrs. Taylor gasped.

Penny’s parents both turned to me.

I cleared my throat. “I’m in love with your daughter.

My brother’s right, that’s why we’re here.

And I’m sorry, I really should have called.

But I wanted to do this in person. Mr. Taylor, I will do everything in my power to protect Penny.

I’ll take care of her. And I’ll love her until my dying breath. ”

Mrs. Taylor was smiling so hard.

But I couldn’t read Mr. Taylor at all.

“And if you’d give me your blessing…I want to propose to her. Tomorrow. It’s been a crazy week. And I want her to know that it’s the two of us against the world from here on out.”

“Yes!” Mrs. Taylor said. “Of course, yes.”

Mr. Taylor cleared his throat. “No.”

Rob started choking on his pretzel.

Ian hit him on the back.

And I just sat there. Because I didn’t know what else to say. Was this because of the bullshit investigation? Or was it something else? “Mr. Taylor, I promise that…”

He held up his hand. “I appreciate you coming, James. But you don’t need my blessing. All you need is Penny’s answer.”

Did that mean he didn’t want me to ask her? Or he didn’t care? Or…what the hell? I came here for his blessing. And I wasn’t leaving without it. “With all due respect, I know family means a lot to Penny. And I know that she’d want me to ask. That’s why I’m here.”

“I wasn’t saying no to you,” he said. “I’m just saying you don’t need to ask. It’s Penny’s decision.”

I opened my mouth and closed it again.

“But if you had to say yes or no,” Rob said. “What would it be? I think my brother really wants to know.”

“It’s a yes,” Mrs. Taylor said. “Right, Peter?” She turned toward her husband. When he didn’t respond she put her hand on his shoulder. “Penny’s happy. You saw how happy James makes her. And she’ll be happy that he stopped by. Just give the boy your blessing.”

Mr. Taylor sighed. “I just wanted him to know it’s not my decision. It’s Penny’s.”

“Of course it’s Penny’s decision. But Penny is going to say yes. So it’s fine if you do too.”

Mr. Taylor turned to me. “You swear you’re only dating Penny? No other students?”

Jesus. “Of course. I’m obsessed with her.” It was the truest thing I’d ever said.

“She’s only twenty,” he said. “It’s pretty young to get married.”

I knew that would probably be one of his concerns.

But I wasn’t in a rush for the ceremony.

Her wearing my ring was enough for me for now.

I just needed everyone to know she was mine.

I needed Penny to know that we were a team.

“I know she’s only twenty. But I’ll love her until she’s ninety.

” If I was lucky enough to live that long.

He slowly nodded his head.

“Yes? It’s a yes!” Rob yelled. “High-five.” He put his hand up for Ian to high-five. “Mission complete.”

Ian high-fived him unenthusiastically. Probably because Mr. Taylor’s response had been so unenthusiastic.

Rob put his hand up for me too. And honestly? Even an unenthusiastic yes was still a yes. This was a win. And I understood why Penny’s father had been hesitant. Those articles were pretty damning. I high-fived my brother.

“Pretzel?” he asked and offered me the bowl.

“I’m good,” I said. And I was. I was really fucking good.

I’d found the perfect ring. I’d gotten Penny’s father’s blessing.

Now I only had two more things to do. Go to New York and get Penny a spot at NYCU for the spring semester.

And call the coffee shop where we first met.

I would have gone there after getting the ring, but they weren’t open after dinner.

Luckily Ian was great at finding whatever information I needed.

He’d be able to find the owner’s personal number.

I was done waiting. Originally I’d thought I’d had to wait two semesters to be with Penny.

Back when I thought she was a senior. And then it became six semesters.

But now? Our relationship was public. Penny was dropping out of the University of New Castle for me.

And she was going to be my fiancée. There was no reason to postpone anything.

I was going to propose and whisk her away to New York City for our fresh start. As long as she said yes to my proposal.

“So why exactly did you ask Bob and Eli to come with you for this?” Penny’s father asked.

Bob and Eli?

“Don’t be rude,” Mrs. Taylor said. “It’s lovely to have you boys here too. Anyone want another glass of juice?”

Rob looked very confused.

“Did you hear her, Bob?” Mr. Taylor asked. “She asked if you’d like another orange juice.”

Rob looked around. “Are you talking to me?”

He nodded.

“My name is Rob. And that’s Ian.”

“Isn’t that what I said?”

I held back my laugh. No. No it was not. And I still had no idea if he just kept messing up people’s names to fuck with my head. Or maybe he was just fucking with Rob now. Because Rob looked very upset about being called Bob.