Page 82 of The Naughty List
The three of them together are intimidating as fuck. Like a well-trained firing squad about to unload on my ass.
A lifetime of insecurity threatens to creep up on me.
I’m not good enough.
I don’t have enough to offer her.
I don’t even have a last name for fuck’s sakes.
I do my best to shove it into the closet in the corner of my mind.
For all my shortcomings, I know one thing for certain. Hollis Rossi wants me. Maybe she’s crazy, but she’s my crazy amazing girl.
“Sir, I think you know that Hollis is a really special woman. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. With your permission, I’d like to ask her to marry me.”
Someone, Addison I think, squeals from the kitchen.
But from where I’m standing, no one moves. No one so much as blinks.
My chest expands with my labored attempt at breathing as I wait.
After what feels like a lifetime, Hollis’s dad nods slowly. “You’re already part of the family, boy. Might as well make it official.”
Before I can process his words, Tony, who I’ve learned is another Rossi who wears his heart on his sleeve like my Hollis, wraps me in a huge bear hug. Not exactly something I have a lot of experience with, but I do my best to return it.
Mikey pats me on the back once Tony has released me.
He gives my shoulder a firm squeeze. “Take care of our girl, Jonah.”
I nod. “That’s all I plan to do for the rest of my life.”
“I’m not getting any younger,” her dad breaks in. “Let’s get her out here and get this show on the road then.”
Okay, confession: I proposed to Hollis last night.
While she was out shopping with her mom and Addison, I made dinner at our place, lit candles, and put on her favorite music. Christmas music, of course. And I built the best damn gingerbread house that I could. Sans roof. After dinner, I told her I needed help getting the roof to stay in place.
Inside the house, sat the ring in a black velvet box.
When she saw it, she gasped so loudly I thought she might pass out. Thankfully, she didn’t.
When I slid my ring on her finger, the broken parts of my soul mended as if they were never there.
But then Hollis frowned.
“Jonah…my family…my dad is extremely old-fashioned.”
Instantly I knew I’d jumped the gun. I knew there had been a major meltdown when she’d moved in with me. But I didn’t freak out thinking I’d fucked up like I used to. I nodded, because I’d anticipated this.
“I know. We’re having lunch with them tomorrow. I’ll ask your dad for his permission. But I wanted to make sure this was whatyouwanted first. You will always come first to me.”
We made love on nearly every surface in our home. When I went to put the ring back in the box, Hollis had smiled shyly at me. “Maybe I could wear it just a little longer.”
She’d slept with it on and I’d laid awake, staring at the symbol of our forever on her delicate hand, knowing today was going to be scary as shit but necessary.
“Hang on,” I tell the guys before they bring the women back into the living room.
I retrieve the red ribbon for Achilles and call him over. Once I’ve tied the ring and the sign that says “Hollis Rossi, will you marry us?” to his collar, I nod for Tony to get the girls.
