He Loves Me Not (Bunch-A-Blooms 1)
Page 26
“I love her, Dad. I want to ask her to marry me.”
His dad nodded. “The two of you have always stayed so close. I’d hoped this would happen. When you were both ready. The best wives and husbands are the ones who start off as best friends. You’ve already lived together, know all the bad habits, and have success tolerating one another for long periods of time. Anyone else I’d say you’re crazy. But you two … I don’t know why you’d wait. You don’t meet many women like Petunia, and the way I see it you’re lucky she’s even still around to get.”
“Trust me, the thought crossed my mind.”
“Good, it means you’ll appreciate what you have.”
“How did you propose to Mom?”
“I took her back to the first place we met. I don’t think that would work for you two unless you want to propose in a hospital.”
The words sparked an idea. “No, but I think our birthday would be the perfect time. She’ll never see it coming. You know we always do our own little thing.”
His dad nodded. “The ring?”
“I want it to look like a flower.”
“You may need to have it made.”
“She’s worth every penny.”
His father laughed. “Let me and your mother get this. It seems only fitting.”
“Are you sure?”
“She’s as much our daughter as you’re our son in many ways.”
“Thanks, Dad,” he said, feeling closer to the man than he had since his youth. They hugged, and he patted his back as they walked out of the second story condo, and he officially closed the door on his past, ready for the future.
They had a March birthday, so he had a month to plan his proposal. You’d think knowing she was going to say yes would take the pressure off, but it didn’t. He needed this to be perfect.
“You’re quiet,” his dad said as he pulled out of the parking lot.
“Thinking about how I’m going to propose. This is one of those rare times when knowing someone too well is a bad thing. I have a million thoughts running through my head.”
“Well, throw some my way.”
“I feel like anything in a garden would be cliché. She owns a floral shop.”
“Not if it was personal to her. Maybe her favorite garden.”
“That’s true,” he said.
“What else you got?”
“Maybe a hot air balloon ride at sunrise.”
“It’d be beautiful, but do you think it speaks to the two of you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Would that tie into anything the two of you have done over the years? I think the best proposals are the ones that are most personal. Your mother and I met on a blind double date at a local diner. It was meant to be dinner and movie with Carrie and Bill. You remember them?”
“Yeah, I do.” They’d been like an uncle and aunt growing up. Then they’d relocated to Orlando, Florida. Now they saw them maybe once or twice a year, usually during the holidays.
“The minute I saw your mother, I knew she was something special. It wasn’t love at first sight, but I chased her and wore her down.”
Mason chuckled. “Way to flatter yourself, Dad.”