Page 66 of Mr. Green (Mr. #2)

Grant

I ’ll make things right with Josh, but while Lana and him are distracted, I want to talk to her parents. I’m asking for Lana’s parents blessing to marry her tonight.

It’s a mild night with a chill sneaking up. It’s nice by the grill where you can smell barbeque chicken cooking. Paul is standing over it, watching the chicken carefully. Rose is sitting right next to him with a glass of wine in her hand.

“Would you like anything to drink, Grant?” she asks.

“I’m fine for now. Thank you for having me tonight, Mr. and Mrs. Love,” I start.

“Of course, Grant,” Rose gushes. “We’re excited everything is alright between the two of you.”

“I’d like to talk to you about that. I plan on asking Lana to marry me soon and I’d like your blessing.” I look over to make sure she’s not coming this way.

“I’m all for it,” Rose says, smiling with her hand over her heart. “How romantic.”

Her dad looks unsure. It’s the first time tonight I’m nervous. I didn’t think he’d push back on the request, but I may have been wrong.

“What will your father say?” he asks me, raising an eyebrow. Paul knows of my father. They used to work together. My dad hired him to do some accounting. If anyone here knows how much my dad can be a prick, it’d be Paul.

“He’ll probably say a lot of bullshit I don’t really give a fuck about. I’m in love with Lana and I’m not letting my dad’s opinions stop me from being with her,” I reply.

After a pause he says, “Welcome to the family, son.” Paul holds out his hand. I grab it in a tight shake.

“I know you’ll take good care of our little girl. I trust you learned from your mistakes.” It’s a silent warning to never leave Lana again. I’m hearing it loud and clear and I keep eye contact, nodding. I’ll never leave Lana again.

It’s why the decision to marry her came about so suddenly. I lost her for three weeks and I could barely breathe without her. I’ll never make that mistake again. As soon as I can get her to agree to move with me to Texas, I’m putting a ring on her hand. I want her to be mine officially, forever.

Josh and Lana come to the backyard, breaking the stare down. I go to Lana and wrap my arms around her waist. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah.” She smiles. “We’re good.”

I kiss the top of her head and then make my way over to Josh. Paul is still grilling, so we’re still in the mingling phase of the night.

“Hey, Josh.” I put my hand behind my neck.

“Hey, Grant.”

“It’s been a while.”

“Yeah.”

“I’m in love with your sister.”

“I know.” He nods.

“I meant to tell you earlier. I didn’t mean for you to find out how you did. I broke bro code, but I’d do it again. I’d do anything for Lana.”

There’s a pause and then he turns to me. “If you ever hurt her again, there’ll be consequences.”

“I’d hope so.”

Josh nods and walks past me, but it’s a psych-out. He tries to swat at me, but I catch him mid-swipe. I don’t know if he’s serious or not. Then he starts chuckling.

“You still got it. ”

I smirk. “Jackass.”

He shrugs and walks off for real.

Looks like her family has accepted me. I have one more person I need to ask something of, and then I’m in. I hope.