The same man who taught her what pleasure could be.
What love could be.
Giving him a narrow gaze, Minnie lifts one brow and says, “A long engagement, perhaps, would be wise?”
His mouth quirks. “If that’s what you want. Figured you didn’t want your folks to say you’re livin’ in sin or some shit. They seem the type.”
Oh, he’s right, he’s nailed her family down by this point.
She throws her arms around him tightly, afraid he might just vanish into thin air. “Yes, yes.” Then, she utters, “But Daddy might kill you.”
Gage laughs. “He can try.”
Chapter 17
The news, as it were, is explosive within Minnie’s family.
Ariel is ecstatic, already attempting to plan what her Maid of Honor gown will look like and which of her cosmetic friends will do the bridal makeup. Without a doubt, she will either increase the stress of the event or she’ll take all the planning onto herself. It is a battle Minnie isn’t looking to fight quite yet, because her sister is happy for her.
No matter how overwhelming Ariel may be, her opinion and support mean the world to Minnie.
“If you can accept Gage after what he did in his past,” Ariel had said. “Well, then, I can accept him too. But I will bury him if he does anything else to upset you, I swear. They won’t find a body.”
Mother Marla had swooned upon hearing word of the latest events. Her reclusive eldest bookworm, to be married? To an ex-con? To the one who happened to be involved in Minnie's past? Oh, the horror! That Minnie’s townhome is soon to be boxed up and moved when she and Gage settle on their new place together? Marla’s words had been,will it be in Uptown Gold? I need you close, my love!
As if her father would want Gage anywhere near his neighborhood. It would be an understatement to say that Minnie’s father is mad at her. Getting a scolding from the man isn’t uncommon when one has done something he doesn’t agree with. But his absolute silence? That never bodes well. He’s seething somewhere, and Minnie supposes he has the right to seethe a bit.
Her father’s various schemes got foiled, and that doesn’t happen to her fatheroften.
Bundled in a pleasant beige cable sweater that once belonged to her mother, Minnie enjoys her lunch hour outside in the library courtyard, happily reading the latest in gothic literature until her mother rings her.
Marla’s sugary-sweet Disney voice coos through the phone speaker when she picks up. “I’ve been thinking about what you told your realtor, and I have some thoughts.” Oh, Minnie imagines she does. Marla hasopinions. “Would it be too much trouble for me to come along? I think you need to expand your search. I’m thinking that the requirement for a two-car garage can still be found in our neighborhood, not everyone has three-car garages-”
Minnie rests her chin on her upturned palm, idly listening to her mother’s plots to get Minnie to buy a home in the same cul-de-sac. The mental image of her father scowling from across the street while Gage mows the lawn is endlessly amusing and horrifying, all at once.
“Mom, I think we both know that Uptown Gold is expensive wine money. Gage and I have nice hipster beer money, which is enough for a modest place.” They’ve had no issues with their realtor finding places for them to view, nor have they had any issues staying far away from Harrow’s Row.
Gage is an easy partner to house shop with. He’s not fussy, nor does he expect anything fancy. He’s more than happy to defer to Minnie about the things she wants in a kitchen, although he did sway her away from a house just based on its aging roof alone. The man takes one look at a thing and determines how much maintenance each aspect will require.
The house they saw with lovely wooden garage doors got a deft shake of the head from Gage, his lips in a firm line.“Wood decks require staining or refinishing to keep them in good condition…it’s going to be the same story with these wood garage doors. I wouldn’t, Minnie. You want to do the deck andthese doors every few years? Don’t forget that cedar shake roof, too.”
Minnie had pouted in dismay. “Really? They look so charming and cottagecore…but you’re right. If the maintenance is costly…”
“Of course, I am. You see pretty doors; I see money burning.”
Voice taking on a faint whine, her mother asks, “You won’t leave the area though, will you? I couldn’t bear it if you left the way Ariel did. Thank my lucky stars she’s at least coming back…”
A fond smile shapes Minnie's lips as she takes a sip of her jasmine tea. “We’ll be within fifteen to twenty minutes from you, Mom. Stop fretting. Think of your heart!”
“I am thinking of my heart, which is why I’m thinking of you!” Marla speaks as if Minnie simply isn’t seeing the big picture. “Speaking of heavy hearts…have you spoken with your father yet? I don’t like such rifts in our family! I want you all to play nice.”
“What do you think?” It’s not hard to wrap her head around the situation; she’s with the man who accepted a large sum of money from her father. Only, said man didn’t exactly ‘do’ what her father expected he would with it. In fact, Gage did the exact opposite, which infuriated her father to no end. “No.”
“It was rather unscrupulous of you to take that money-”
“Mom,” Minnie says as she glances down at the ring on her hand. Although it isn’t some grand, overstated masterpiece, it is classically pleasant and most of all, it sparkles in the sunlight. The fact that Gage bought it for her and placed it on her finger makes it all the more important. “Daddy offeredmy boyfriendmoney to GO AWAY. Not like going away on vacation, but like,abandoning me. How is that any better?”
There comes a soft tsking on the other side of the phone, followed by the sound of something rustling around. Her mother must be hiding in her fancy modern sitting room, whisperingjust in case her husband overhears. “Oh, you’re right, you’re absolutely right. Your father behaved quite beastly, but his pride is hurt. You know your father.” A pause and a dramatic stage whisper. “I want you to know, I’m on your side!”
