“I didn’t say—”
His finger came to my lips. “I’m not, but I’ve screwed up enough to know what’s right and what isn’t. For this to work, for us to work,” he clarified, “you have to be an active partner.”
A smile curled my lips. “I tried at the cabin.”
“You did great. I don’t mean just with sex. I mean, for your parents to believe this—what’s happening between you and me—is real, they need to hear it from you. They have no reason to trust me and probably many reasons not to trust me. They trust you.”
I inhaled and straightened my neck, feeling the weight of the responsibility I’d failed to accept, that I’d avoided taking, and that Van was presenting to me.
He was right.
For too long I’d been willing to let others speak for me. Whether it was my mother, father, or Skylar, I allowed it. Van wasn’t saying he’d abandon me. He was saying that I needed to use my voice. It was the encouragement I’d never before had.
“You’re right,” I admitted.
“If you want me to step in, let me know.”
“They need to hear it from me.”
His warm touch skirted my arms. “What are you going to say?”
“I’ll tell them the truth. You and I are engaged. I’m going to marry you. The date isn’t set, but I’ve said yes. And as for Wade, you will help.”
“I’ll do what you want.” He looked down at his watch. “Someone has crossed the gate line.”
Julia
Van opened the door to the entry and we stepped beyond the glass French doors. Through the sidelights we could gaze out onto the driveway. The SUV was parked facing the south wing, as the doors began to open—three of them. My stomach sank and I reached for Van’s hand. His body stiffened beside mine.
“Fuck,” Van muttered under his breath.
I could barely articulate what was happening. “They brought Skylar.”
My father had said he’d tell him off and now Skylar was with them.
The threesome stood still for a moment on the driveway, doing as I’d done upon my first arrival, taking in the sheer size of Van’s home. As if on cue, the floodlights illuminated the area. I turned to Van in question.
“Light sensor.”
Dad, Mom, and Skylar turned in all directions, squinting as they took in the sudden influx of light.
“I can tell them the invitation is revoked,” Van offered. He squeezed my hand. “If you’re going to marry me, you’ll learn fast; I have no issues with being the asshole.”
My neck straightened. “No. You were right before. I need to face them. I’ve already faced Skylar, but screw him. If two rejections weren’t enough for him” —I was thinking of when I left the ring with the note and then also our conversation at the hotel bar in Ashland— “I’ll be happy to give him a repeat performance.”
As the three of them began to walk toward the solid large door, Van reached for my chin and brought his lips to mine. The kiss was chaste and quick, leaving a smile on my face.
“I have your back, but you don’t need me.”
I blinked away the prickle of tears. “I think I do, Van. I think you’re exactly what I’ve needed. I just didn’t know it.”
He took a deep breath as the chime of the ringing doorbell echoed through the entry and beyond. Taking a step forward, he opened the door. From my perspective, I saw the surprise in the three sets of eyes; undoubtedly, they’d expected someone else, perhaps a housekeeper or maid. That was who would have answered the door at either my parents’ home or Skylar’s parents’.
“Mr. Sherman,” my father said, being the first to speak.
Van took a step back, “Mr. McGrath, Mrs. McGrath...” He paused long enough to punctuate his greeting with an added bit of unease. “...and Mr. Butler.” He nodded toward Skylar. “An unexpected surprise.”
From my vantage, I found it odd the way the three of them were looking at Van, odd and also interesting, as if they were all intimidated by his mere presence. Maybe they were.