I didn’t know he actually asked her to marry him.
Or that I was the reason she said no.
“I knew that if I had said yes, I would have been miserable for however long that marriage lasted.” Her eyes burn into mine, and it’s getting to where I’m ready to say, Fuck the dinner, and tell our parents we need to leave.
I need us in bed, giving her all of me, thanking her for not marrying him and choosing to be with me.
“I would have still been waiting for you.”
“So, are we doing this the old-fashioned way, with a big wedding that’s gonna cost a fortune? Or shotgun style?” Gene chuckles, motioning to the server that he needs a refill.
“If Isla is okay with it, I’d like to get married now and then after the season’s over, we can have a big wedding.”
“What do you think about that, sweetheart?” Gene asks her, and she keeps her eyes on me.
Tell me what you want, Princess.
I’ll give you the world. All you need to do is tell me.
“I just want to be his wife. I don’t even need the big wedding.”Fuck, I love her.
We can just go on a really nice honeymoon, not that I wouldn’t mind spending the money to give her the wedding of her dreams. I’d spend every penny I had to make her happy. Isla deserves the world and I intend to give it to her.
She’s my world.
All I need is her, a kid, and baseball.
I’ll be a happy man.
“Will you be our witnesses?” I ask my mother and Gene. “We can do it tomorrow morning before I go to training.”
“Do you have rings already?” Gene asks.
Shit.
“He does.” My mother cuts in. “I have your father’s and my rings at home if you’d like them. Even if they’re temporary ones.”
Emotions choke me and I hold back the tears as I nod my head. “I’d like that. Is that okay with you for now, princess?”
“I would be honored to wear the ring your dad gave your mom.” She reaches for me and wipes the tear that runs down my cheek. “Let’s do this, baby.”
She called me baby in front of our parents.
Can we fast-forward to tomorrow morning so she can be my wife already?
We finish dinner and after a fight with Gene over the bill, to which I had to concede and let him pay, we head to the parking lot. I get my helmet out of the trunk and I help Isla into the car as Gene helps my mom. “See you at home, baby.” I kiss her on the mouth and I hear my mother whisper to Isla’s father.
“Awww, isn’t it sweet, honey? When do you think we’ll have a grand baby?” My mother asks, and I can feel the smiling pulling at my cheeks.
“For the love of God, Nadia, don’t give them any ideas.”
Too late.
If I get my way, they’ll be grandparents by Christmas.
12
ISLA
