Page 58 of Impending Consent

"No," she admitted, then laughed. "But you're my son, and if you believe in this marriage, I need to at least meet the woman you chose."

"I'll talk to her about it. Thanks, Ma."

"Don't thank me yet. I'm reserving judgment until I meet her."

I chuckled, already knowing. “I respect that. I have to go. I love you.”

“Love you too, baby.”

After we hung up, I stood there for a moment, processing. My mother wanted to meet Sailor. That was a step in the right direction but we needed to figure this shit out one family at a time.

Sailor emerged from the bathroom and smiled. "Everything okay with your mom?"

"Yeah. She wants to meet you."

Her eyes widened slightly. "She does?"

"Don't look so surprised. She's protective, not unreasonable."

"Unlike my father," Sailor muttered.

"Speaking of, we should get going. I damn sure don’t want to be late and give him another reason to dislike me."

"He doesn't dislike you. He doesn't know you. My father’s issue is with me and my erratic decision to marry you for dick."

I smirked and arched my brow. "Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

She grinned and shrugged. "No, but at least you're starting with a clean slate. I am one bad mistake away from being voted off the Addison Family Island."

"A clean slate as the guy who secretly married his daughter. Yeah, tonight is going to be fucking amazing."

"Don’t let him intimidate you. He respects people who stand their ground."

"I can handle your father, Sail. I'm more worried about you."

"I've been dealing with him my whole life."

"Exactly, and you still have that look in your eyes when his name comes up.”

“What look?” She frowned.

“Like you're preparing for battle."

"Because I am, but you’ll see.” She sighed. “Let's just go. No point in delaying the inevitable."

When we pulled up, I glanced at the house then back to Sailor, amused. “This is exactly what I expected."

A bold expression of money that mirrored the man who purchased it.

"It's just a house.” Her tone was dismissive. but she toyed with her wedding ring while she stared at her childhood home. She was nervous as fuck and I didn’t like that. She also didn’t move, so I did. I got out, rounded the car, and opened her door. I extended a hand, which she reluctantly accepted. When she was on her feet, I pulled her into me, shut the door, then caged her between me and the car.

“You wanna leave?”

She nodded and I kissed her. “Then let’s go.”

She exhaled and shook her head. “I can’t do that. You don’t deserve this. I made this mess but you’re the one dealing with the consequences. We’re married, right?”

“Yeah, we are.”

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