she wants more than anything. I’ve heard it in her voice and seen it in her face every time she talks about you. I know you’ll take care of her.”
“Yes, sir. Always.”
“Enough with the sir, Tate. I appreciate you want to do this right, but relax. We’re happy you chose each other. You’re a good match. You know how to argue without hurting each other. You two always found a compromise when you needed to.”
Leslie added, “Most kids have friends that come and go from their lives as they grow up. Not you two. There was some kind of special that glued the two of you together.” Leslie glanced at Ken. “I think it was their sophomore year when oddly enough they were both infatuated and seeing someone else, when we said to each other, ‘Those two are destined to be together.’”
Ken leaned on his forearms on his knees. “You two talked to each other more than you did the people you were seeing.”
Tate shrugged. “She was always more fun to talk to and be with than anyone else.”
“You found something to do with those other girls.” Ken winked and waved his hand to stop Tate from trying to defend himself against that embarrassing truth. “All I’m saying is you two made it through all that, took your time to explore your options, and came to the conclusion that you’re better together than with anyone else.” Ken glanced at his wife, then spoke for both of them. “We worried you two would settle down together too fast. We wanted Liz to have some life experience outside her relationship with you. You wanted that, too.”
“Believe me, it wasn’t a conscious thing. I denied my attraction and feelings for her forever.” He didn’t have a problem telling the truth he’d come to terms with when faced with possibly losing Liz. Even now the thought of losing her stopped his heart.
“Because she mattered that much to you.” Leslie’s insight erased his fear that he’d have to go through another round of “Are your feelings real?” questions.
“She means everything to me.”
They sat back, pleased with his response and at ease with giving him their blessing.
Leslie shot forward with her hand out. “Can I see the ring?”
He handed it over.
She opened the lid and her eyes glassed over again. “Oh Tate, she’ll love it. It’s perfect.”
He glanced at the diamond solitaire with the pretty swirls and filigree setting. “I hope so.”
Ken leaned over and checked out the sparkler. “You did good, son. When will you ask her?”
“I’m still working on the how and when, but very soon. So, please, don’t give her any hints or anything. I want this to be a total surprise.” He checked his watch. “And if I don’t hurry, she’ll wonder why I’m late picking her up at work.”
Leslie stood at the same time he did and handed the ring back. “Are you going to give us some time to plan a proper wedding? Or are you going to be like your brother Drake and hurry her to the I do’s?”
He shrugged, knowing he just couldn’t wait much longer. “It seems to be in the McGrath blood.”
Leslie rolled her eyes. “I guess I better get down to the bookstore and buy every bridal magazine I can get my hands on so we can start planning.”
“Good idea. Just give me a little time to ask her.” Tate shook Ken’s hand. “Thank you.”
“Welcome to the family, Tate, though it seems silly to say that since you’ve been a part of it so long.”
“Thanks for always making me feel like I belonged here.”
Leslie touched his arm, her eyes warm with emotion. “Don’t keep my girl waiting.”
Soon, Liz would officially be his girl for the rest of his life.
He had the ring and her parents’ permission. Now all he had to do was ask her and get his “Yes!”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Liz didn’t mind taking Detective Valdez’s advice to switch her hours from day to day. Making it harder on Clint to stalk her kind of made her feel like she was doing something to protect herself besides hiding. Though she didn’t delude herself into thinking he couldn’t get to her.
All she wanted to do was get through one day without thinking about him.
She’d prefer to spend most of her day thinking about Tate. Somehow, in all the chaos and drama, they’d created their own little oasis with each other. She’d always known she loved him, but that love had grown and turned into something so unexpected