Day Thirteen
Zio
I woke up with a singular focus. I didn’t even rub the sleep out of my eyes before I sat up on the side of the bed. Luckily, Sky sleeps like the dead after a few too many drinks of wine, and I’d made sure she had a few cups the night before. I took a breath and grabbed Sky’s phone. I scrolled to her mother’s contact, saved the number in my phone, and sent a text. Sky told me her parents are retired and free most days, so it wasn’t a surprise they replied quickly and accepted my invite.
I took a shower, put on my dress pants, a nice sweater, and my Magnanni Oxfords. I slipped out of the loft while she was still dead to the world.
The drive gave me too much time to think about the decision I was about to make.
I weighed the pros and cons of it.
The Cons:Sky’s a flight risk. She’s got a habit of overcomplicating peace and a strange addiction to the chaos in her own head. She’s goofy for no reason, too—sometimes when I need her to be serious.
The Pros:But when she looks at me? When that “tough” girl act drops? That’s my peace. She’s the only person who demands more of me than I demand of myself. Four years doesn’t feel likeenough time with her. But also her goofiness... I realized I didn't want a woman who was serious all the time. Her pussy is good too—unmatched.
I pulled into the diner lot before I could find a reason to turn around.
I saw Sky’s parents through the glass. Mrs. Rose and Mr. David. Looking at her mother was like looking at a future version of Sky—same long hair, same beauty, just refined by time. Her daddy? He was big as fuck. Dark, bald-headed. He looked like he’d drive you to Alligator Alley if you did his daughter wrong.
My hands started to sweat as I opened my car door. I adjusted my watch, and stepped out of the car, smoothing the wrinkles from my clothed. Walking into that diner felt like walking into a cage with a lion.
I smoothed my hand over the ring box in my pocket and walked toward them. The restaurant was pretty much empty.
"Zio," Mrs. Rose said as soon as I got within speaking distance, her eyes brightening as I approached like she already knew me. "You’re more handsome than you look on Instagram."
I laughed. “Thank you, ma’am.”
"Mr. David, Mrs. Rose. Thank you for meeting me," I said, keeping my voice level.
I sat down.
"So," David said, "you’re the one making my daughter act crazier than usual."
I chuckled. "I’m the one trying to marry her, sir," I said.
His eyes narrowed. "Talk is cheap," he grunted. He leaned back, crossing his arms. "If I do allow you to and she says yes, what’s your five-year plan for my daughter’s peace of mind? I don't careabout your bank account—I can see the shoes. I care about her soul and how you plan to treat her.”
I tried to sell myself. I wanted their blessing but I would marry her without it but I didn’t want to. I told them I was opening my own spot. I told them I loved her. I told them I was done playing the "friend" game and was ready to be her husband.
"I’ll take care of her," I told them. "I’ll give her the space to write, but I’ll be the floor under her feet when she’s spinning out. If the sky is falling, I’ll hold it up for her. I’m not going anywhere."
He stared at me for a long beat. We sat in the kind of silence that would have made a lesser man start sweating through his sweater. He looked at Mrs. Rose, then back at me.
David’s face got less hard. "She’s a lot to handle, Zio. She’ll try to push you away and she won’t be nice about it, but I suspect you already know how she is. If you hurt her though, I’ll be the last thing you see. I keep my pistol on me. You ready to risk your life?"
The table was silent. I didn't blink. "I’ve been ready for three years."
Mr. David stared at me for five more seconds, then slammed his hand on the table, sending the cups of water to rocking and laughed. "Gotcha! Just checking for a weak spot. You held your ground. I like that."
Rose swatted his arm, looking at me with an apologetic smile. "I am so sorry, Zio. He’s been practicing that 'tough dad' routine all morning. You have our blessing. We’ve been waiting for her to find someone who wouldn't let her run away."
I pulled the ring box out and showed them. Rose gasped. David nodded.
"I'm asking her tomorrow," I said.
Mr. David nodded, finally reaching for his coffee. "Figure out what you want to eat, son. We’re just getting started. Tell me about your father. I want to know what kind of family you’re trying to bring my daughter into."
We talked for more than an hour before he was satisfied.
