“David,” Mom warns quietly.
“What? I’m making conversation.” He shrugs. “I’m curious what kind of statement the man’s trying to make.”
Heat crawls up my neck. “Dad?—”
“It’s okay,” Rowan says calmly, setting down his fork. “No dragons or skulls, Mr. Larkin. This one’s a compass,” he says, turning his wrist to reveal the detailed navigation tool inked on his forearm. “Got it after my second tour. A reminder to always find my way home.”
I watch Dad’s face, waiting for his reaction. His brow furrows slightly, but he doesn’t respond.
“And this one,” Rowan continues, pushing up his sleeve to show a delicate constellation pattern on his bicep, “is Cygnus. The swan. My sister’s favorite.”
Dad picks up his wine glass, taking a long sip. “Your sister into astronomy?”
“She was,” Rowan says, his voice softening. “She passed away when she was eighteen.”
Mom’s fork clatters against her plate. “Oh, Rowan. I’m so sorry.”
I reach under the table, squeezing his thigh. The table falls silent. Dad shifts uncomfortably in his seat, suddenly very interested in his plate.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Dad says finally, his voice gruff but sincere.
Rowan nods. “Thank you.”
Mom clears her throat, searching for a way to lighten the mood. “Violet tells me you’ve been doing some work with private security?”
“Yes, ma’am. I just finished an assignment in Colombia. I was gone a bit too long, though.” Rowan admits. “Gonna try not to do that again. It was a bit rough on both of us.”
Mom hides a smile behind her wine glass.
“And what exactly are your intentions with my daughter?” Dad asks bluntly.
“Dad!” I hiss, mortified.
“What? It’s a fair question.” He shrugs.
Rowan doesn’t seem bothered. “My intentions are to love her,” he says simply. “Every day, for as long as she’ll have me.”
The directness of his answer seems to catch Dad off guard. He blinks, then narrows his eyes.
“Love doesn’t pay bills,” Dad counters. “Doesn’t build a future.”
“No,” Rowan agrees. “But it’s a hell of a foundation. As forbuilding a future… I bought that property just outside of Lily Ridge two years before I even came back here. I’ve been saving since I was eighteen. I’ve got investments, a retirement plan, and enough put away that neither of us would have to worry if something went sideways.”
I stare at him, my heart thudding in my chest. We haven’t really talked about finances beyond the general understanding that he’s comfortable and careful with his money.
“You planning on marrying my daughter?” Dad asks, his voice gruff.
“David!” Mom gasps.
My face burns hot. “Dad, seriously?”
Rowan doesn’t flinch or look to me for help. He leans forward, resting his forearms on the table, eyes steady on my dad.
“It’s a fair question, but the truth is, we’re still figuring this out. We haven’t talked about forever yet.”
My heart stutters.Yet.
He continues, his tone unshaken. “What I do know is that I care about your daughter more than I’ve ever cared about anyone. I respect her, I admire her, and I want to build something solid with her. Whether that ends in marriage or not… I’ll never waste her time, and I’ll never treat her as anything less than the best damn thing that’s ever happened to me.”
