Page 99 of Mr. Green

“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 notletting 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.

Chapter 66

Lana

One month has passed since the dinner with my parents. Grant and I go back and forth from Texas to Washington. Since I work mostly from home, I stay with him in Texas more often than not. He’s taken me to tour a couple of culinary schools I’m thinking about.

I’m on my way to his house now. Andrew is with me and is picking me up. Grant said he had something he had to stay at the house and couldn’t make it.