Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 132464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
“Fuck yeah, Uncle William,” I said, clinking his glass. “Cheers to that. That’s how we Faraday men keep our women—dripping in the biggest fucking diamonds the world has ever seen.”
“Fuck yeah,” Uncle William replied, making me laugh.
It was an unexpected (and supremely ridiculous) conversation, to say the least, and so fucking awesome, I’ll never forget it as long as I live. And now, on top of all that awesomeness, Uncle William’s dancing with Kat like a madman, laughing with her and throwing his hands up every time the singer in the band commands everyone to “hit their hallelujah.” Best night ever.
I look to my left on the dance floor, and there’s Jonas, sweating like a pig, smiling from ear to ear, dancing with Sarah like he doesn’t have a care in the world. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Jonas dance before tonight—but if I have, I’ve certainly never seen him dance like this. He’s the epitome of that old saying, “Dance like no one’s watching.”
Through the dancing bodies on the dance floor, I glimpse Kat’s parents at the back of the restaurant, sitting all alone at an otherwise empty table, and I realize now’s my chance to steal a private moment with them. I glance over my shoulder at Kat, and she’s still happily cutting a rug with Uncle William, so I move quickly off the dance floor toward the back of the restaurant, taking a brief detour at my uncle’s table to pour two tall glasses of his rare Scotch.
“Hey, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan,” I say, sauntering up to their table. “Can I hang out with you for a bit?”
“Thomas and Lou, remember?” Kat’s mom says warmly. “And, of course.”
Louise pats the chair next to her and I take a seat.
“I brought you a present, Thomas,” I say, putting one of the glasses of Scotch in front of him. “It’s a Glenfarclas 1955 from my uncle’s private collection. Fifty years old.”
“Oh my God,” Thomas says. “Really?”
“You want to try it, Lou?” I hold up the second glass to her.
Louise crinkles her nose. “No, thank you. I’m not a big Scotch drinker. I’ll just take a little sip of Thomas’.”
“How about some more champagne, then?”
Louise’s face lights up. “Ah, now that I’ll happily accept. We’re staying at the hotel across the street, so I’m really letting loose tonight.”
I flag down one of the roving waiters and grab Louise a flute of champagne and she takes a greedy sip.
“Okay, Thomas. Ready to have your taste buds ruined for any other Scotch?”
Thomas lifts his Scotch in reply and we both take sips at the same time.
“Oh my God,” Thomas says, his eyes bugging out.
“Amazing, right?” I say.
“Damn. That stuff should be illegal.”
“My uncle’s somewhat of a connoisseur,” I say. “He’s got an amazing collection.”
Thomas takes another sip. “Wow. So smooth.”
I’m about to tell Thomas I’ve actually got a bottle of this exact stuff for him at my house—the bottle Kat wouldn’t let me give to him a week ago—but in light of what I’m about to ask the guy, I refrain. Now’s definitely not the time to make Kat’s father think I’m trying to buy his affection.
I take a deep breath. “I wanted to talk to you both privately,” I say. I look over my shoulder to make sure Kat’s not nearby and quickly spot her on the dance floor, still whooping it up. “I want you to know I love your daughter—she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Louise makes an adorable face.
“And now that I’ve met the two of you and your incredible family, I’m realizing what marriage and family can be.” I take a deep breath. “So, what I’m trying to say is I’m planning to ask Kat to marry me and I’m hoping you’ll give me your blessing.”
Kat’s mom throws her arms around my neck, exactly the way Kat always does, and kisses me on the cheek. “Of course, you have our blessing, Josh. Oh my gosh, we’re thrilled. Absolutely thrilled.”
When she pulls away from me, she’s got tears in her eyes.
I look at Thomas, hoping for a similar reaction, but he’s stoic.
There’s a short beat that feels like an eternity.
Finally, Thomas lifts his Scotch in the air, inviting me to clink his glass, which I gratefully do. “Welcome to the Morgan family, Josh,” he says calmly. “We’re thrilled to have you.”
I let out a huge sigh of relief. “Oh, thank God,” I say, laughing.
Kat’s mom giggles—and, suddenly, it’s clear to me she’s pretty damned tipsy.
“So when are you gonna ask her?” Louise asks, leaning into my face and batting her eyelashes. “And how are you gonna ask her, hmm? What you got up your sleeve, Joshy-baby?”
I chuckle. “Um. I don’t know yet. I’ve got to get a ring first, make a plan. I’ll do it as soon as possible after we get back from our trip—I won’t have time to get a ring before we leave.”