Mine Would Be You (98)

Harper, who’s on our left, leans towards us and whisper yells, “Get a room.” Nina gives her the finger before turning back to me. I laugh at the exchange, loving how seamlessly everyone fits.

Living in the fact that soon enough, she’ll be living with me full time and there will be no more back and forth. No more overnight bags or planned out weekends because she’ll be with me.

“I don’t wanna wait. Can it be March?” I ask, drawing circles on her ankle.

She rolls her eyes, and I smile again. “I think you’ll survive.”

I laugh and my eyes flicker over the group again until making eye contact with Nina’s mom, and I nod my head ever so slightly. Soon enough, her mom and my mom are calling her over to help them in the kitchen since the food is almost ready.

“Be right back,” she mumbles and kisses me on the cheek before walking over to our moms. Roman watches with a smirk on his face, and I take a sip of my drink and stay seated until she’s out of sight. As soon as she is, I go over to her dad, who’s talking to Mateo now, and ask if I can talk to him quickly. He tries to hide a smile and nods his head in the direction of the hallway.

“So, what did you need to talk to me about?” Mr. Scott asks, and I wasn’t nervous before, but now I am as I glance back to the kitchen hallway. “Don’t worry, they can’t hear us in here.” The smile fights to escape on his face, and I have a feeling he knows what’s going on.

My hand tightens around the glass in my hand, my finger drawing through the condensation. “Well, I know that you guys aren’t super traditional, and neither am I, but I’ll be asking Nina to marry me, and I wanted to tell you. Make sure you at least approved. I know how much you mean to her and figured it may not be a requirement, but something that might be important to her.”

He raises a brow, but amusement spreads. “So you’re asking me or telling me, Jackson?”

This time I grin because I’d ask her no matter what he said. “I’m telling you I’m going to marry her. Regardless of the answer, I’m not letting your daughter walk out my life. But I admit, it’d be nice to know you approve. I already talked to her mom.”

Finally, the smile breaks through, and I exhale a breath I didn’t even know I was holding as he pats me on the back. “Come with me,” he says quietly, looking over his shoulder before heading upstairs.

We pass Nina’s bedroom and don’t stop until we’re at the end of the hall and the door opens into an office space. There are bookshelves against the wall filled with knick-knacks and different types of books, and a large desk sits right near a window.

Her dad leans over, and I hear the unlocking of a drawer, and when he turns back around, leaning against the desk, he’s holding a box in his hand. “I bought this for her mom as a gift one year, an anniversary present. A better ring. When we got engaged, I didn’t have much money saved up, so I always wanted to get her a ring I thought she deserved.”

I smile, leaning against the chair. Watching and waiting.

“But when I got home and looked at it, it didn’t feel like her. And so, I told her, ruined the surprise, and let her look at it. Elena didn’t even want it. Didn’t want any other ring than the one that was on her finger.” He smiles warmly, and his brown skin crinkles as he does. “But we both decided we’d save it for Nina. Neither of us have family heirlooms or anything special to us that could’ve been passed down. And the band is vintage and reclaimed, so this is the closest we came to something like that.”

I cough lightly, feeling the emotions build under my skin. Not just the ones I have for Nina, but the ones her parents have for each other and her. Being here with him makes me miss my dad more than I thought was possible. And also makes me thankful that this is a family I’m blessed to be around.

“I know you just lost your dad, and you’d probably be wanting to talk about the girl you’re planning on marrying, and I know she’s my daughter and I’m biased, but I approve, Jackson. You never needed to worry about that with me. If you ever need anything at all, I hope you’ll ask.”

My teeth clamp down, and I tense my jaw as my grip tightens on my glass. “I miss him all the time. But having your daughter in my life, having you and Mrs. Scott in my life, helps remind me how great life still is. So, thank you for that Mr. Scott. I appreciate it.”

He dips his head. “You’re welcome. I’m happy you and Nina found one another. Although, it is very soon.” He smirks, and I exhale again as the room lightens again and chuckle.

“Don’t worry, I’ve asked Harper and Sloan. They’ve told me she wants to date for at least two years before anything else. She wants to enjoy every stage, so that’s what we’ll do. I just figured I know now so why not ask you.” I grin, feeling the heavier emotions sink deeper, letting joy fill the space again. “But also, you don’t have to give me that ring. If you and her mom want to give that to her that’s amazing. I never expected you to give me anything. I don’t want you to think you have to.”

I swear I see pride flash in Mr. Scott’s eyes, and he ignores my statement. “So you’re gonna hold on to this ring for two years?” He holds out his hand, the box resting in his palm.

I grin and stand up. “Yes sir, I am. Or for however long I need to.”