Page 43 of The Grinch who Loved Me
“So, does your friend approve? Or do I need to win her over too?”
Aria laughed, “She approves. And I can’t wait for you to meet my family.”
Ryland cupped her face in his hands, as he often did and kissed her.
“I can’t wait either. Now that you have met my dad, I want to meet your family so that they know without a doubt I’m serious about you. And I know I should have asked your dad for your hand, but I couldn’t wait.”
Aria shook her head, “My dad didn’t need you to ask him. He knows me. And if I like a guy enough to talk to my mom about him, then he is someone important.”
Ryland smiled, his face so handsome and dear, “Good. I’m not going anywhere. And I will fight hard to keep you.”
Aria melted against him, “I know you would. That is why I love you. One of the reasons anyway.”
He kissed her and Raegan cleared her throat and Ryland and Aria looked over at her, “So, um. When do we head back to meet the fam?”
Aria laughed and said, “Why don’t you come to dinner at Ryland’s house and we can talk about the details?” She looked up at him and he nodded, “My dad has been in the kitchen. He wanted to cook for you. To apologize.”
Raegan put her hands on her hips, “What did your dad do?”
Ryland looked over at her and Aria said, “He didn’t believe that I was capable of the things I am more than capable of doing. And Ryland set him straight.”
Ryland kissed her on the forehead, “You bet your ass I did. No one talks about my girl in any way but with love.”
Aria smiled up at him and Raegan sighed, “Damn. You did find the right guy for you didn’t you?”
Aria nodded, “I absolutely did.”
