Page 59 of Unwritten Vows

Epilogue

Liza

The first dinner with Daddy and Derrick is super awkward, just two days later.

He makes us come to the Andreeva estate and plies us with dishes upon dishes of Russian acquired tastes, like meat jellies and sour soups.

Derrick is having a hard time eating it, I can tell, but Daddy knows I don’t mind it at all, and I eat every bite.

Finally, discussion breaks out rather bluntly when Derrick unloads his thoughts into the space between us. “We’ll stay engaged. I don’t think it’s a good idea to take a break after everything that’s happened.”

I have a feeling there’s a reason he hasn’t asked my father while alone with him. There’s a reason I’m sitting at the table. I wonder if Daddy would be persuaded anyway. I know the truth: Daddy just wants to see me happy. He knows Derrick fits the bill, and that he’s the only one who ever has.

My father studies him with narrowed eyes. “What makes you think I’d ever give my blessing?”

Derrick rolls his eyes. “I think we’ve both been honest about this, Yaroslav. We aren’t asking.”

I suck my lips between my teeth at this new found boldness Derrick has with my father. He’s right that if my father tried to stop me, I’d do it anyway. But I’d be scared about it, at least.

“I’ve told you that I’ll never trust you again, boy.”

Derrick sighs and affects a far off gaze. “And that’s just something I’ll have to live with for the rest of my days.”

I bite down on my lips so I don’t giggle. I can’t believe he has the audacity to be so bold with his jokes. But he’s doing it. He’s being his old sarcastic self, and I couldn’t love it more.

“Daddy, we both know exactly how you feel about Derrick. Trust me.”

He looks at me, somewhat sadly, but I swear I see a spark of pride in his eyes. He trusts me to make this decision, even if he doesn’t trust Derrick. I know he does.

“You will have a long time to think it over, Solnyshko .” He turns his gaze back to Derrick. “There will be an engagement of two years, minimum. Eliza must finish her schooling without distractions from you.”

Derrick looks at me and gives me a true smile. We know we’ve just been given the permission we pretended we weren’t seeking, but were hoping for nonetheless.

But Derrick still has to push it, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. “I’m sorry to tell you this, Bolyar,” he says, grabbing my thigh and squeezing under the table, “but I plan to be a very large distraction.”

THE END