Page 132 of Off-Limits

Tears pool at the corner of my eyes again, but I keep them at bay so I can thank everyone for coming, and only then will I allow them to fall freely. But when Damon walks up the steps and towards me with a knowing and cheeky glint in his stormy hues, I know I’m not going to be able to keep the tears back much longer.

Especially when he gets on one knee and pulls a black box from behind his back.

A collective gasp and chatter start up around us as my hands fly to my mouth and I hiccup through a sob, as Damonopens the lid and presents the most beautiful oval amethyst and diamond ring.

It’s so gorgeous, it leaves me speechless and breathless, and I need to actively remind myself to suck in a lungful of oxygen.

“Dorothy May Willmott, my Goddess, my Blossom. I have loved you in one way or another for so many years, but it’s only recently that I’ve come to adore and love the woman you’ve become, finally seeing past the titles that almost separated us to appreciate what we have is a raw, unfiltered, mess but it’s ours. Over these past few months, I have come to find my soulmate, my reason for breathing, and the love of my life within you. I don’t have much to give you beside my love, admiration, support, loyalty, and forever after, but would you do this old man the honour of becoming my wife?”

This man…

My eyes flicker quickly toward my dad to see him still smiling at me, and his face wet. He gives me a small nod and lets out a choked sob before calling out to me.

“I’m proud of you, bub. Now marry the old man before he expires.”

The crowd erupts in laughter, and then my dad chuckles before giving me one last smile and disappearing through the crowd. My heartbeat thumps loudly in my ears, my throat constricting tightly when I can no longer see him.

I don’t forgive him for the shit he’s done, and I don’t know if I ever will, but I can’t deny the simple fact that I still love him. He is my father after all, and although I am not indebted to him or was ever, I do wonder if mum’s death has awoken him from his pity party slumber.

Does he miss her as much as I do?

My eyes stay rooted to where he once stood, and I wonder if I’ll see him again.

Because that felt like a goodbye.

But he came here to tell me he loved me, and that he was proud of me, giving me his blessing so I turn my attention back to the love of my life.

Damon.

He’s still in the same position, unfazed, a smile on his too handsome face, and it’s then that I realise he knew my dad was here. Did he ask him for my hand in marriage like men used to do in the old days?

Damon smirks at me, and it solidifies my thoughts.

“Well, Blossom, you gonna leave me here on my knees all night, or put me out of my misery?”

I hiccup through a laugh and sob.

“Yes, I will marry you!”

The crowd starts hollering and Damon gets off his knee and grabs my left hand to slide the ring on my finger. It fits perfectly. My vision turns blurry from all the tears as I look up from the ring to my now fiancé.

Grabbing the side of my face, Damon brings me closer before his lips descend on mine. Tongues tangling, heat pools in my belly as I deepen the kiss, only to be thrown back into reality when the wolf whistles start.

Breaking away from the kiss with a choked laugh, I look away from Damon and out to the crowd to say my thanks, but I spot Arrie in the back corner in what looks like a heated argument with her mother. She grips her by the arm and drags her out of the art gallery. I stand there stunted for the umpteenth time for the night wondering what the hell is going on.

What in the actual fuck is she doing here?

I don’t have time to say anything, because Damon is dragging me off the stage and saying his thanks for me.

“What about my paintings?”

“Hargrove said we can pick them up tomorrow.”

“You already asked him?”

“Of course,” Damon answers, walking me outside.

“Wait, Arrie is coming over.”