Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
“First off,” Cannon said. “I’ve told you this before, fuck the money part of it. That shit shouldn’t matter.”
“I know that,” I said. “But her father doesn’t. No offense,” I said to Persephone, who waved me off.
“You’re not wrong,” she said.
“How did you get in his good graces?” I asked Cannon.
“I don’t entirely know if I am,” he said. “We’ve come to an understanding, but I think it will be a long time before I have his full trust.”
“I love her,” I said the words, and the act of doing so out loud was a freeing and terrifying thing. “And I know she’s working on healing. I know she has to focus on herself right now. I’m not trying to take that away from her. I don’t want to be one of her rushed marriages, I just want her to know she’s it for me and that I’ll support her—”
“Omigod you’re going to propose!” Persephone squealed, and half the bar looked over at us.
I laughed as Cannon smoothed his hand up and down her back. “Maybe a little louder next time, Princess,” he said. “I don’t think they heard you down at Lyla’s Place.”
Persephone covered her mouth, but bounced in her seat. “I’m just excited.”
“I’m terrified,” I admitted.
“When?” Persephone asked.
“After Christmas, when she finishes her volunteer work with me and has some time to take off. I was thinking we could get away for the weekend.” Somewhere close enough she could still make her sessions with Dr. Casson but removed enough to feel like a treat.
“How romantic,” Persephone said, sighing a little.
“Should I ask permission?” I asked the main question that was haunting me right now. I knew her father would be pissed if I bucked his traditions and didn’t ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage, but I also knew he would most likely say no even if I did try to do right by his standards.
“Yes,” Cannon said at the same time Persephone said, “No.”
“Well that clears that up,” I said, leaning back in the booth.
“Wait, what?” Cannon gaped down at his wife. “You know the hell he gave me after what happened to us?”
“I most certainly do, Cannon Price,” Persephone said, using a tone that made Cannon’s eyes light up in a way that made me feel like I needed to vacate the booth right the fuck now. “But our situation was entirely different from theirs,” she continued. “My father has been a horror to Jim since we were teenagers,” she said, looking me dead in the eye. “He doesn’t deserve the respect you’re showing him.”
My mouth dropped just a bit at her directness, but it also made me smile.
“But what if he threatens to disinherit her again,” I said. “Like all those years ago. What if he uses everything in his power to pull us apart again?” I hated how pathetic it sounded, to be so afraid of an outside force holding control over my future, but how could I not? He’d done it once, he could again.
“What if Anne relapses?” Persephone asked, giving me whiplash. “What if the health of her liver plummets and she needs surgery? Will you still support her? Love her?”
“Of course, I will,” I said, heart racing at just the thought of what she suggested happening.
“What if she falls into old habits, trying to push everyone away and flee across the country?”
“I’ll chase after her,” I said, determined. “I won’t ever force her to be anyone other than who she is at her core. I won’t force her to be with me, but if she wants me, I’m there. Nothing will keep me away.”
A bright, satisfied smile shaped Persephone’s lips as she glanced from me to her husband and back again. “Then fuck my father,” she said, raising her glass of tea toward mine.
“Jesus,” Cannon mumbled under his breath, raising his glass too.
My smile matched hers, realization clicking into place with her line of questioning. Nothing could keep me from loving her—not a relapse, not old habits, and certainly not her father.
I tapped my glass against theirs, my heart soaring at the newfound confidence.
“Thank you,” I said, slipping out of the booth.
“He’s going to lose his shit,” Cannon grumbled, standing up to shake my hand. “You know that right?”
I nodded, shaking his hand. “I know.”
I tried to release his hand, but he kept on shaking it. “She’s doing better,” he said. “When I met her she was…she was hurting. And now she looks healthy and happy. I know that has more to do with her than you, but keep it up.”
“I will.”
Cannon released my hand, giving me an approving look that meant more to me than any Anne’s father could’ve offered me. Because Anne respected Cannon’s opinion more than his anyway, and her sister’s even more.
And with them in my corner, I felt like I could take on the world if I had to. I had their blessing, and in the end, that’s all that mattered.