Page 14 of Hooked on Marshall (Hooked #9)

When I pull up in front of the Rose house, I smile.

Then I take a deep, cleansing breath. Because it’s been years since I’ve had to endure the third degree from the parents of the woman I’m dating.

Well, the woman that I hope to start dating, anyway.

I grab the flowers I picked up earlier today and head for the door.

After another deep breath, I ring the doorbell.

Thirty seconds pass before it opens. The man before me doesn’t look happy. I focus on him and smile, but I can see Lana behind him, too. Which sets me at ease a bit.

“Hello, Mr. Rose,” I say with a nod. “I’m Marshall Jones.”

I offer my hand, and he takes it. Firmly.

“I’m Ben Rose,” he says. “I understand you’re here to take my daughter to dinner.”

“Yes, sir,” I say with a nod.

“What are your intentions with her?”

“I’d love nothing more than to be her boyfriend,” I say honestly. “But I think she needs to get to know me a little better first.”

He makes some sound of acknowledgement. Then he looks at the flowers in my hand.

“And who are those for?”

“Your wife,” I tell him. “If that’s okay with you.”

He takes me in for a long moment. Almost too long.

Then he steps back and gestures for me to come inside.

I thank him and enter. Lana smiles at me.

Then Mr. Rose gestures for me to walk into the living room.

Mrs. Rose rises to greet me, smiling a little more when I offer her the flowers.

After a quick hug from her, and elderly man steps beside her. When I look at him, I gasp in shock.

“Mr. Riggin?” I ask.

“Good to see you again, Marshall,” he chuckles. “It’s been too damn long.”

I offer my hand, but he pulls me in for a hug instead.

And I return it wholeheartedly. He was the head janitor at our high school.

And I befriended him when I was a freshman, and a senior prank went wrong, and I stuck around to help with the cleanup.

He retired the next year, but he showed up when I graduated.

And I had no idea he was Lana’s grandfather.

“Yes, sir,” I tell him. “You look good.”

“No ass kissing just to date my granddaughter,” he chuckles as he pulls back. “It will get you nowhere.”

“Yes, sir.”

We continue to chat until Lana comes over and threads her arm through her grandfather’s. He looks at her with nothing but love in his eyes. She leans up and kisses his cheek. Then says what’s necessary to get us moving.

“Well, we need to get going,” she says. “I haven’t eaten since breakfast and I’m starving.”

Hearing that, her family practically shoves her out the door. I gently take her elbow and lead her to my Jeep. Opening the passenger door for her and helping her inside. When I’m behind the wheel, there is a delightfully shy smile on her face.

“Sorry about that,” she says.

“Don’t worry about it,” I say as I reach for her hand. “It’s a small price to pay to spend time with you.”

“Stop,” she sighs.

“Stop what?” I ask.

“With all the sweet talk,” she says shortly. “I…I don’t like it.”

I take a deep breath and give her hand a gentle squeeze. Then I tell her the truth of things.

“It’s not sweet talk, Lana,” I say softly. “It’s how I feel.”

She says nothing more. So, I just drive us to one of my old favorite pizza joints one town over. When we’re in the parking lot, I sneak a look at her and find her smiling. Okay, that’s good. Once I’m in park, I question her.

“Is this okay?”

“Yes,” she giggles. “My friends and I used to come here all the time in the summer after we got our license. Best pizza in the county.”

“Maybe then,” I say with a smirk.

“Maybe,” she concedes. “Let’s go. I really am starving.”

I laugh and we both hop out. When I reach for her hand to walk with her, she allows it.

And I feel ten feet tall as a result. It’s pretty busy inside, but we get seated right away in a booth near the back.

The waitress arrives in minutes, and we opt for a half pitcher of beer.

Then comes the tough part, deciding which pizza we want.

“Do you want a whole pie for yourself?” I ask with a smirk.

“I could probably eat one today,” she smiles. “But I’m fine sharing.”

“We’ll order two,” I shrug. “I don’t mind leftovers.”

“Have you even had time to grocery shop yet?”

“No,” I chuckle. “I’m lucky I’ve had time to make my bed. When I got back here, all I wanted to do was dive in headfirst at the Alehouse.”

“You don’t have to make all the changes right away,” she says. “And you’ve seen firsthand how well the place runs itself. You should take the time you need to get settled.”

“I know,” I nod. “But I’m no good at that kind of thing. I usually enlist the help of my mother and Gina, and I don’t want to bother them after everything that’s happened.”

“Do you really think they’d be bothered to help you get settled here?”

“No,” I sigh.

“Then why not take the time you need and ask for their help?” she presses.

I grimace and exhale a slow breath. Because I’m going to give her my honest answer. I just don’t want it to spook her.

“Because right now, being at the Alehouse is the only way I can see you.”