“Okay…” I draw out. “You know you can. But I’ve got a feeling there’s a particular reason you’re dropping by unannounced.”
“You’ve got me there, Mark. I know things between you and Faye are still fairly new… Well, at least since you’ve been reacquainted.”
“True,” I draw out, hoping he’ll connect the dots for me as to why he’s here, rather than make me guess at them.
Drawing in a heavy breath, he finally says, “Son, I’m gonna be frank with you.”
“As you should,” I encourage.
“I saw the way you looked at my daughter the other morning, and more importantly, the way she looked at you when she thought no one was watching her.”
“Okay…” Where the fuck is this going?
“She loves you; it’s as clear as day.”
“And I love her,” I point out. “Please make your point faster because I’m not sure I like where you’re going with this.”
He’d better not be here to ask me to stop seeing her. Losing her once was more than I’d ever want to endure in a lifetime.
“Ever since the two of you broke things off years ago, I’ve never seen Faye look at another man the way she’s always looked at you. Her mother and I knew you were the one for her years ago. But we also know she was the one who pushed you away so you’d pursue your own dreams, and she could follow hers.”
“I’m well aware of that, but we’re together now, and I don’t have any intention of letting her do it again.”
“That’s good to hear.” He clears his throat, then states, “I just didn’t want you to let her tenacity get in the way of something good for the two of you.”
As I stare at him, it dawns on me. Now is as good a time as ever to check one of the most important things off my list that I had planned to do while she was away.
“Look, Herb, wait here. I’ve got something I want to show you.”
Without waiting for him to respond, I rush to my room. Like a man on a mission, I quickly open my safe and pull out my purchase from DC.
When I return a few minutes later, Herb’s in the same place I left him.
“I’m actually glad you stopped by, as it’ll save me the trip,” I muse, pulling out the box and setting it on the counter between us.
Now, it’s his turn to be shocked and confused. Eyes wide, he asks, “What have you got there?”
“I want you to know without a doubt, Faye is it for me. I knew it mere days after seeing her again. I picked this up when I was in DC a few weeks ago. Go ahead,” I say, shoving the box toward him. “Open it.”
His jaw drops when his eyes land on the ring in front of him.
“She told you about my mother’s earrings,” he whispers in awe.
“Back when we were kids. But I remember,” I assure him. “When the time is right, I intend to ask her to be my wife.”
“I know it was rather presumptuous to show up like this, but you’ve always been straight with me. You’ve got too much of your mother in you not to. Our paths haven’t crossed since the diner, and with Faye out of town, I’ll admit… part of the reason I stopped by this afternoon is because I wanted to learn your intentions.”
“I meant it when I said you’re welcome anytime.”
“Look, Mark, I’ll be straight with you. I love my daughter to the ends of the earth. As you well know, she’s strong and independent, and once she’s made her mind up, there’s nothing that will steer her from her course….” He inhales deeply, then shakes his head before adding, “That being said, I’ve also seen that she’s quick to push everyone she loves away when things get stressful for her.”
“I see some things haven’t changed,” I muse. “She’d do that when she was worked up about something while we were in school.”
“The stakes get higher now that she’s working for herself. For some damned reason, she always keeps the weight of the world on her shoulders alone and rarely lets anyone bear it with her.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I assure him.
“I know you will. If anyone can get through to her, it’s you. You were the only one who never let her close herself off and keep her burdens to herself.” Then he chuckles. “I know it’s not always easy, but I think you’ll find your way with Faye.”
