Leif
I run the pad of my thumb over the pear-shaped diamond.
River Patton whistles between his teeth.
“It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?” I glance at him.
“Unbelievable,” he replies. “With a hefty price tag.”
I shrug. I don’t care about the price. I want to find the perfect ring. Something unique, something Cami. “I like the pear shape,” I tell the jeweler.
He nods and selects a few other options. “Just for comparison,” he explains.
“Thanks,” I murmur, studying the rings. While Cami’s story about Levi Rousell was tough to swallow, I understand now why she was hesitant about giving our marriage a chance. Over the past weeks, we’ve grown closer but proposing to her, proving that I choose her too, and gifting her a ring as a symbol of my love, will help ease her mind. And when she accepts this token, it will ease my lingering worry too.
The fact that she confided in me about her past with Levi Rousell was a turning point for her. Now, the tradition of this ritual will prove that we’re both choosing each other for the right reasons before we marry again in August.
River asks the jeweler a question and he leads River over to a case to look at earrings. River wants to buy Lola and Mia matching sets for Lola’s birthday.
I pick up a ring and know it’s the one. It’s about three carats and outlined with smaller diamonds that drip onto a double band. It’s a bit flashy but different, and I think Cami will appreciate that. She likes unique things. I snap a picture and send it to my siblings’ group chat.
I roll my eyes.
I laugh, but my little brother isn’t wrong.
I chuckle again.
The jeweler returns.
“This is the one,” I tell him.
“An excellent choice, sir,” he says, cleaning the ring. He tells me about the diamond and its properties, but deep down, I know this is the right ring, the perfect fit, for Cami.
After River and I make our purchases, we leave the jeweler. Knowing the girls are at lunch and Brawler is taking Mia to her baby music class, we decide to swing by Corks for a beer.
“Look at us.” River smirks, shaking his head. “If anyone ever would’ve told me that the two of us would end up with—hell, even had a chance with women like Lola and Cami—I woulda told them to get fucked.”
I laugh. “We’ve come a long way, Patton.”
River taps my knuckles with his. “A hell of a long way.”
We drop onto barstools, order some pints and nachos, and hang out.
Right now, my life is exactly as I want it.
I have Cami and that’s all I’ve ever wanted. Her happiness, her love, our future.
Fuck. I’m nervous.
I stretch my hand several times, as if that will help me work up the courage to dial the number I need to call.
Mr. Coleman.
I managed to get his number from Cheryl, but Cami’s dad and I have yet to speak face-to-face unless Cheryl held the phone up to his face and demanded he say hello.
And now, I’ve gotta man up and call him. Ask him for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Even though, she’s legally already my wife.
I close my eyes and drop my head back against the couch cushion. Cami’s at work. This is my window.
Just call him!
I dial Hudson instead.
“Hey,” he answers on the first ring, and I breathe out a sigh.
Back when I played for the Ottawa Huskies, Hudson and I roomed together in a sweet, two-bedroom apartment near ByWard Market. We confided in each other all the time.
Right now, I need him to weigh in on this.
“Hey,” I reply.
“You okay?”
I sigh. “I’m stressed.”
“Yeah, I got that.” My friend sounds concerned. Man, but Hudson is a good guy. “‘Bout what?”
“I gotta call Cami’s dad. Ask him if I can marry his daughter,” I explain.
At that, he bursts out laughing.
Forget it. I take it back. He’s not a good guy at all. “It’s not fucking funny.”
“I mean, it kind of is,” he wheezes. “Leif, you already married her. You guys are living together.”
“Fuck,” I mutter, squeezing the skin between my eyebrows. “I know. That’s why this is so damn difficult.”
“I mean, try to see it from his perspective,” Hudson points out. “If you married my daughter in Vegas, moved her into your place, and then called me to ask for my blessing, I’d tell you to fuck right off.”
“You’re not helping.”
“I didn’t realize you wanted me to lie,” my friend points out.
We’ve always been straight with each other.
“What do you think I should say?” I ask instead.
“The truth. You love her, Leif?”
“Yes,” I answer. It’s the truth, too. “Look, I know it doesn’t make any damn sense but somewhere along the way, between Cami’s bright-eyed outlook, her honesty, the damn sketches I find around the kitchen, on napkins and in the corners of grocery lists, I fell in love with her. She’s smart and witty. She’s adventurous and open-minded. And for the first time in my life, Hudson, I’m not fucking petrified about being rooted. I want it with her—the home and the nights in. I want everything with Cami.”
My friend is quiet for a long moment. Then, he says, “Tell him that, Leif. That was honest as hell and he’ll appreciate it. Respect you for it. Tell him that.”
I exhale and feel the weight of the damn world leave my shoulders. Holy shit. “I love her.”
“I know you do. And if you tell her father what you just told me, he’ll know it too. I bet that’s all he wants for Cami. I think it’s what every parent wants for their kid. He wants to know you love and respect her.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“Give him a call now, before you lose your edge,” Hudson advises.
I snort. “Thanks, Hud.”
“Didn’t do a damn thing, man. Call him now and I’ll see you next week. Piper can’t wait to meet Cami, by the way.”
I grin at the thought of our girls hitting it off. Of all of us being together in Honey Harbor. “I’m looking forward to it, too.”
“Same. Good luck, Leif.”
“Thanks.” I end the call and stand from the couch.
I pace around my living room for two laps before I grow a set, pull up the contact info, and call Mr. Coleman.
“Hello?” he answers. His voice is deep and direct, and I automatically know he’s the kind of man who exudes authority.
In that sense, he reminds me of my father, which puts me at ease. Men like that want the truth, they want facts, and they don’t want to feel like someone is pulling the wool over their eyes.
I should have called him directly when Cami and I first agreed to give things a shot. I should have cleared the air, manned up, and addressed him from the get-go, instead of waiting for Cheryl to smooth things over.
Disappointment coats my tongue and I know exactly what to say.
“Mr. Coleman, it’s Leif Bang.”
He’s silent on the other end but the time is still ticking on my screen, so he hasn’t hung up. Yet.
“I’m sorry for not calling you sooner. It was the right move, and I regret not doing it because the truth is, I’m in love with your daughter. And I know how important you and your family are to her. It means a lot to me that we have a good relationship and there’s no chance of that without me apologizing to you for not making this phone call weeks ago. And without me telling you how much I love, admire, and respect Cami. I want to propose to her, for real this time, and I want your blessing, sir.”
He sighs.
I work a swallow.
“So, Vegas was a mistake?” he asks.
“No.” I shake my head even though he can’t see me. “Vegas was the best thing that ever happened to me because I met Cami. Now, do I wish we had done things differently? Yes and no. I love being married to your daughter, but I would have loved for our families to witness our union, which is why I can’t wait to marry her again in August.”
He clucks in the back of his throat, and I can’t tell if he’s pleased or pissed by my response. “You’ve known Cami for under two months, and you love her?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Why?” he poses the question.
I bite back my grin because this question? This is easy. “I can’t imagine anyone meeting Cami and not falling in love with her,” I tell him truthfully. “The biggest blessing here is that she is choosing me, too.” Then, I launch into it. I tell him everything I told Hudson and more.
I share about her confiding in me about Levi Rousell, which surprises him. I explain that the trust I have for her is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I admit that being with her has changed me in the best ways possible—for the first time, there’s an added sense of responsibility that I was lacking. And I like shouldering it. I want to provide for her, protect her, support her. I conclude with, “I respect her, Mr. Coleman. I love her and I’d like to propose, properly, with your blessing, when we’re in Honey Harbor.”
Then, I hold my breath. My palms itch and my heartbeat thumps in my temple. Shit, I’m sweating.
Not so laid-back now.
Mr. Coleman is silent again but this time, I get the sense that he’s considering all I’ve shared and choosing his words carefully. “I appreciate the phone call, Leif.”
I exhale slowly.
“And I look forward to meeting you in August. I’d like for us to have a good relationship as well. A part of me wants that for Cami. And a part of me wants that for us.”
“Thank you, Mr. Coleman.”
“Call me Ben,” he advises.
I crack a smile.
“And you have my blessing. I know Cami is truly happy with you. I can hear it in her voice. And the thing I’ve always wanted for her, Leif, the thing you’ll want most in the world if you and Cami have children, is for them to thrive. To be happy. To fall in love. I wish you both nothing less than that.” Ben sounds choked up by the end and I’d be lying if I said emotion didn’t sweep through me.
Because he was honest. Direct. And sincere.
“Thank you, Ben. I look forward to meeting you, too. If you could do me a favor and not tell Cami, I’d like to surprise her.”
He chuckles lightly. “You have my word. That means I won’t tell Cheryl either.”
I snort. Good call, Ben.
“Best of luck to you, Leif,” he continues. “I hope she says yes.”
“Yeah, me too.”
We end the call and I collapse back onto the couch. Relief flows through me and I laugh to myself.
I did it. It’s all good. It’s all right.
Then, I text Hudson and my siblings.