"Because I want to, not because I'm trying to control you." I squeeze her hand. "Do you know how much Enzo made me in endorsements this year?"
She blinks at the subject change. "What?"
"One point two million dollars. That's just endorsements. My actual salary is eleven million a year. Most of which I save because I don't know what else to do with it." I pull out my phone, open my banking app, and show her the balance. "This is my checking account. I could buy you ten mobility studios and not notice the dent."
Her eyes go wide. "Silas, that's..."
"A stupid amount of money, I know. But here's the thing, Pretty Girl. I'm going to keep making money whether you let me spend it on you or not. I'd rather spend it on things that matter. Things like your studio. And our life together. I love making sure you don't have to worry about rent or groceries or any of that bullshit."
"But I don't want to be taken care of."
"That's not what I'm doing." I turn to face her fully. "Taking care of you would be paying your bills without telling you, and making decisions for you, and expecting something in return. Is that what I'm doing?"
"No," she admits quietly.
"I'm investing in us. In our future. I'm not keeping score and I'm not expecting you to owe me anything." I cup her face in my hands. "Scout, I'm going to keep pushing our relationship forward. I'm going to keep taking care of you. Not because you need it, but because I want to. Making you happy makes me happy."
"What if I'm not ready for that?"
"Then you tell me to slow down and I will. But don't ask me to pretend I'm okay with you struggling when I could help."
She's quiet for a long moment, searching my face. "You really have eleven million dollars?"
"No. I have twelve-ish times the number of years I’ve played professionally, minus taxes, plus interest on some smart investments. However that math works out, give or take. Why, you gonna rob me?"
That gets a laugh out of her. "Maybe. I could use a new yoga mat."
"Baby, I'll buy you a hundred yoga mats." I pull her into my lap. "I'll buy you the whole damn store if it makes yousmile."
"That's excessive."
"So? I feelexcessiveabout you." I kiss her forehead. "Let me help with the studio. Not because you can't do it yourself, but because we're partners. Partners build things together."
She leans into me, her breath warm against my neck. "Partners."
"Yeah. Partners." I tilt her chin up. "I’m only using that term because I know that talking about the future and changing our labels freaks you out."
"Oh god." She pulls back slightly. "You have that look."
She’s so adorable and sexy. I bite my lip to hold back a smile. "What look?"
"The look that says you're about to say something that's going to make me want to head for the hills."
She knows me too well. "Well, I do want to marry you."
Her eyes go wide. "Silas..."
"I'm not proposing right now. But I'm telling you where my head's at. I want to marry you, Scout. Sooner rather than later."
"We just got back together a few weeks ago."
"I know. That's why I'm not proposing today. But I'm not going to pretend I don't know what I want." I brush a curl behind her ear. "I'm all in on this. I can see the future, Scout. I'm going to keep pushing forward toward that. If you need me to slow down, tell me. But don't expect me to stop wanting to get there with you."
She's quiet for so long I start to worry I've pushed too hard. Then she says, "Marriage."
"Yeah."
"Like, wedding and rings and forever."
