“But me and Penny don’t have five years.”
“Sure you do. You think that just because she’s having a baby, there’s some clock ticking?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, you’re wrong. Tonight, you’re staying here, in your old room, and tomorrow, you learn what courtship is.”
“I know what courtship is.”
“No, you don’t. It’s slow, sensual. It’s the unveiling of each other, and the discovery of your true self. If your relationship is a brick wall, courtship is the mortar.”
“What if I give it my all and she still doesn’t want me?”
“Then you’re going to have to find a way to live with that, but if I had to guess, that’s not your problem. You need to assure Penny you want her, not just because she’s pregnant, but because she’s Penny. That’s where the courtship comes in.”
I hate the thought of being away from Penny for a single night, but I know my father is right. I can’t rush this, even if she is pregnant.
It’ll take time. I’ll take the rest of my life proving myself to her, if I have to, because she’s worth it.
But I honestly don’t know if I can keep away from her.
“Thanks for the advice.”
“Are you going to take it?”
“I don’t know.”
“Give it a night, son. I think you’ll find that with a good night’s rest comes clarity.”
“I sure hope you’re right.”
7
PENNY
Greyson is probably pissed.
And I can’t say I blame him.
Ever since he found out I was pregnant, he’s been trying to do right by me, but I’ve made that impossible.
Why does it matter if he loves me? We’re having a baby.
I wish it were that easy.
I still remember the gasps from around the room as he flipped open the lid of the ring box, revealing an enormous diamond. Every cell in my body wanted to scream yes, but a nagging feeling wouldn’t let me feel joy.
Because as much as I want what I have with Greyson to be real, the truth is that it was a pity proposal instigated by my expanding waistline.
I look at the clock, tired from my lack of sleep. He didn’t return home last night, or even send me a text.
The doorbell rings, and I go to see who it is, wondering if I’m about to be served an eviction notice.
But it’s too soon for that. Greyson is probably figuring out what to do with me because, as angry as he is, he wouldn’t send me back to the workers’ quarters being pregnant.
I open the door and find Fiona Flowers, the local florist.
Yes, her name is seriously Fiona Flowers.
