Page 113 of Don't Quit the Day Job

"It's okay. You know I love her. I'll always be here for her."

"And you coming and asking for grandma's ring…that was a lot and I'm proud of you. I want to say that I'm excited for you as well."

"I just wanted to get the ring, Dad."

"But it's for an engagement, right?"

"It was," I say, staggering. "But…"

"But what?"

"Maybe now's not the right time. I wanted grandma's ring because I did want to propose to Lila. I think she's the love of my life, but…"

"But what?"

"She thinks I was in D.C. this weekend."

"Okay, and?"

"She ended up going to L.A. for an audition because she wants to be an actress."

"Okay, and?"

"She didn't tell me, but that's maybe because I didn't tell her where I was going. I didn't think she would mind, but I didn't want to have to lie to her. So I didn't want to say any place and I didn't want to tell her I was going to South Carolina to get the ring because I wanted to propose to her and I wanted it to be a surprise." I sigh. "But maybe everything's just happening too quickly. Maybe I am rushing her into something she's not ready for yet."

"She loves you though, doesn't she?"

"I'm pretty sure that she does, and I know I love her. I know she's the love of my life. I know I want to make her my wife, but when I met her, she wanted to be an actress. In fact, she was on her way to an audition that day, but she didn't bother because she needed to make money. And I don't think working for me is her dream, and as much as I love having her by my side, I want her to achieve her dreams and I want her to go for what she really wants out of life and I don't want to stop that because she feels like she needs to stay here with me."

"So you're not going to propose to her?"

"Not yet," I say. "I need to speak to her in person. I need to see what she's thinking and feeling. I love her so much. I don't want to let her go, but I love her enough to want her to do what she wants to do without feeling any sort of guilt."

"This is the one, isn't it Max?" my dad says.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because you love her enough to let her go. That's true love," he says gruffly. "I'm proud of you."

"Thanks, Dad."

"I know you think that I didn't understand when you decided not to train horses. I know you think that I didn't respect your decision to become an attorney and you had something to prove to me, but I respect you more than you'll ever know, son."

"Thank you, Dad. That means a lot."

"You're welcome."

My phone beeps and I see that it's Lila.

"Hey, I have to go, Dad. That's her."

"Good luck, son."

"Thank you." I click over quickly.

"Hey, Max, it's me."

"Hey," I say. "I was wondering when I was going to hear from you."

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