I re-red Brad’s text over and over again to make sure this wasn't a joke. It couldn’t be a joke, I mean he asked for my address.

Does this mean he’s over the whole thing?

I looked over the texts again to try to figure out his mood, but I couldn't tell. He was giving short to-the-point texts that didn't really reveal anything. It’s been over a week since the fight so he’s cooled down, but is he really over the whole thing?

He is a hit and miss when it came to grudges, he either gets over it instantly fast or holds it to his deathbed. I guess for Kendall he is going to hold on to it until he is on his deathbed. But what I did was ten times worse.

Fuck, I miss Penny so much.

She isn't even talking to me. She sometimes wants to talk to me because I see her writing a text but then she just deletes it. I thought about Penny walking over to her dad when she chose him. I felt heartbroken but I know how much her dad means to her, especially since she found out about her mother being a pile of shit. It was a whole fucking day of shit drama piled on top of each other as everyone fucking overreacted.

“FUCK!” I yelled out, trying to get rid of any access frustration and confusion before Brad came over.

I looked down at the time stamp next to Brad’s text. He should be coming over any minute now. I looked over at my new home that was a complete mess. I had only one room and it was under construction. I had to replace the flooring and molding so I’ve been sleeping on the couch. To be honest, I fucking love it. It makes me realize how far I’ve gotten in my life.

A knock trembled through my front door. It was Brad. I got up from the couch and hesitated to turn the doorknob.

“Come on in,” I held out my hand and pointed toward the small living room.

“Thanks,” he sat down on the couch while looking around the apartment.

“Do you want something to drink? Water? Coke? Beer —”

Brad interrupted me with a firm voice, “Beer. Definitely beer.”

I walked over to the old 80s-style kitchen and grabbed a cold beer from the fridge. I opened his beer, the cold snap of the lid filling the silence in the room. I took a seat on the chair, getting a better look at Brad.

“So when did you get this place?”

“About a week before we left for Florida?”

Brad pressed his lips together and nodded his head slowly as if he was saying, ‘oh, I see.’

“Are you renting?” He looked into the bedroom that had no floor.

“No, I already bought it. I’m planning to rent it out after I finish making it . . . less shitty,” I took a sip of my beer.

“That’s smart. It’s in a good location,” he took a long drink.

“Yep,” we both avoided each other and focused on our beer as if it was our only escape from this awkward small talk. I cleared my throat, “I was thinking to get some help from Penny to decorate since she has a good eye for designing.” I spoke firmly still avoiding his eyes.

“Ahh, okay,” he nodded as he looked down at his bottle. “Well since you brought Penny up . . . what are your intentions with my daughter,” he narrowed his eyes toward me as if he was quizzing a teenager before prom.

I placed my beer on the table and walked back over to the empty cabinet above the sink. I felt Brad staring at me as I walked over to my chair. I sat down and tossed him a black box that he instantly caught with one hand. He turned around the box and observed it carefully as if he had no idea what was inside of it.

“That is my intention with your daughter,” I chugged my beer half way knowing I would need more alcohol to get through this.

Brad popped the box open revealing a 14k rose gold ring with a large pear shaped diamond in the middle surrounded by small diamonds. Brad looked at me then at the box at least three times. He didn’t know how he should feel, but he knew he needed the beer. He chugged the whole bottle and sat back on the couch just staring at the ring.

“Okay. Hmmm — is this an — it’s a ring?” he clarified as he pointed inside the box.

“An engagement ring,” I finished the rest of my beer.

“For my daughter?”

I nodded.

“So this is an engagement ring . . . for my daughter, Penelope,” he hummed nervously. “What does this mean . . .”

“Last time I checked, an engagement ring means that you plan to marry the person you give it too,” I smirked.

Brad chuckled nervously and picked up the ring, examining it carefully to see if it was even worthy of his little girl. He smacked his lips and placed it back in the box.

“You asked me about my intentions, and I think that box says it all. Listen, Brad, I’m sorry you had to find out about us from Tiffany, but I do really love Penny.”

“Why her?” Brad’s voice seemed conflicted with happiness and confusion.

I shook my head and smiled, “It just happened. She’s the one.”

“So, you weren’t just fucking her for your visit?”

“No.”

Brad let out a relieved sigh, “Are you sure? I mean because I swear to God if you’re lying to me . . .” he shook his head, putting on an intimidating face.

“That ring his non-refundable and it cost me $50,000. I don’t think I am lying to you.”

Brad eyes widen on the box and blinked slowly at me as if he thought he heard the number wrong. He bit the inside of his cheek and handed me the box with care as if it shouldn't even be in his presence.

“Fuck. This is real?” he let out a blissful laugh. “You actually love my daughter. You are in love with my little Penelope,” he started to realize that this wasn't just a joke. “But don’t you think it’s kind of early to ask her to marry you. I mean for fucks sake it’s only been a month.”

“True, that’s why I was going to hold off until I have to leave at the end of May. The ring was mostly for you right now, so I can convince you that I am not joking. You’ve always been a ‘show me don't tell me’ kind of guy.”

Brad started to chuckle, “You’re going to be my mother fucking son-in-law.”

We both started cracking up at the idea of us being related.

“So, do I have your permission? To marry your daughter?”

Brad continued to laugh throughout his sentence, “I never thought I would ever hear those words from you.”

“And I never thought I would hear what are your intentions with my daughter,” I chuckled with him.

The laughter quieted down as Brad let out a heavy sigh, “I think now would be the best time to tell you that I quit my job.”

“Whoa . . . was this because of the promotion?”

He nodded, “I kind of want to leave everything behind and move somewhere where I start over again and find a job.”

“You’re moving. When? Where?”

“I don’t know. I mean I still have to talk to Penny about it.”

I chuckled, “So I guess this is the best time to bring up at I asked Penny to move in with me.”

Brad’s eyes arched and looked at me with a curious glare.

“Since she was curious about the interior designer jobs at my firm, I thought it would be a good idea to bring her in. I told her if she wants to become a designer I will pay for her tuition, but only if she moves in with me. In Miami.”

Brad blinked slowly at me, “Did she agree?”

I shook my head.

Brad let out a puff of air. “Is it bad that I am not going to fight you in this because all I’m thinking about is how much money I would save,” he burst out laughing, and I couldn’t help but join in.

“How about this?” I forced myself to cool down. “How about I talk to my boss and see if we have any jobs available. We’re probably going to expand to the North so we will definitely need more architects, designers and accountants.”

“I don’t know. I feel like working with you might not be the best idea —”

“It pays six figures,” I interrupted him with a grin. “And with your experience you can easily make more money than you can imagine.”

Brad had a serious face that matched Penny’s face to the point. “Okay,” he said softly.

“So, I guess I’m moving the Rye family to Florida,” I smirked at Brad who was still in shock from the money.

“Okay,” he nodded to himself still shocked.

“So we’re good?”

“Yeah, we’re good,” he picked up his empty bottle and tried to get the last drop of beer. “Why don’t we have dinner tonight? All three of us.”

I nodded, “Yeah, that seems perfect.”