I knew from the moment I took that phone call about Ryan, that I needed to ask Demi to marry me as soon as possible.

It was kind of morbid, if you thought about it, how death reminded us about the most important things in life. It had happened when I’d lost my parents, I’d stopped fucking around both figuratively and literally, and wised up. And now, with the loss of our little friend, it made me realize that I shouldn’t waste any more time where it concerned making the woman I loved my wife.

So, I’d had the ring polished, put in a new velvet lined box, and made the one call I knew was essential before I could get down on one knee.

If there isn’t a puddle of sweat underneath my loafers, then my deodorant is doing its job tenfold.

I wipe my hands on my pants again, checking my watch and taking another sip of water. The waiter had asked if I wanted something stronger, but I need my head clear. Aaron Rosen already scared the shit out of me, I didn’t need him running circles around me conversation wise after I’d gotten a drink in me.

He had to have some idea why I had asked him to lunch, which was probably why the son of a bitch was running late. This was an intimidation tactic, and it was working.

“Paxton.” Aaron’s voice, friendly but commanding, sounded from behind me.

I stood to greet him, extending my hand. “Mr. Rosen, nice to see you. Thank you for agreeing to meet me.”

He shook it. “You can call me Aaron. I have a feeling we’re about to become much closer anyway.”

The waiter came over when he saw us sit down, and took our orders. I’d ordered a bland, high protein and vegetable dish, with little carbs. With the Super Bowl just two days away, I needed to keep to a strict diet.

After we’d settled in with drinks, I cut straight to the point.

“I think you know why I asked you here today.” I paused, waiting for him to guess.

But Aaron just sat, stone-faced, waiting for me to presumably plead my case. My shirt clung to my skin, sweat rolling down my back.

“Ever since I moved back to Charlotte, and saw your daughter for the first time in years, I’d realized I’d been doing it all wrong. Life, that is. Because without her, I’d just been surviving. Running on fumes. Demi, your daughter, she is the reason I came back, even if I didn’t know it. Fate, and this might sound corny, intervened. I would like to marry her, sir. I’m asking for your permission. And before you question if I’m worthy enough … just know that I’m probably not. No one really is, not for the likes of Demi. But … I do promise to try my very hardest to become worthy. To protect her, to put her above all else, to love her and provide for her. I promise not to interfere with her success, her independent streak. So please, I came here to ask you for her hand. Would you allow me to marry your daughter?”

Aaron eyes me down, studying me as I realize he is digesting my words.

“You’re not Jewish.” His expression is stone when he finally speaks.

“No, sir, I’m not. But that is your daughter’s choice, and I love her very much. And I don’t want to dare speak for you, but I’ll go out on a limb and say that you’d rather her be endlessly happy than marry someone she wasn’t fully sure about just because they held the same religious beliefs.”

One eyebrow raises, and I think maybe I’ve captured his queen in this chess match of wits. “And what about children? If I did allow you into my family, I’d be sorely disappointed if I didn’t get to share my faith with my grandchildren.”

I use my hands to talk. “I understand that, but again, that would be Demi and mine’s choice. Although, I am not opposed to it. I want to make her happy, that is my life’s mission. And if she wants that, I wouldn’t stand in the way.”

The waiter comes, setting our food down in front of us, and Aaron still hasn’t given me an answer. I’m getting anxious, and for the first time since I came up with my plan to propose to Demi, I have some doubts that it will actually happen.

What would I do if her father said no? I know my girl, she would want me to get his permission. She’s traditional, and it would mean a lot to her to have her parent’s blessing on our future marriage. I can’t imagine a life without her, but what would a life without her family’s approval look like?

“Okay,” he speaks, cutting into his steak without looking at me.

“What?” I almost didn’t hear him.

Aaron puts down his utensils and levels with me. “I said, okay. You can marry my daughter. You have my permission. But if you ever, ever hurt her, Shaw, I’ll saw off your balls with a dull steak knife.”

To make his point, he begins cutting into the meat again, almost hacking at it. I gulp, knowing he isn’t lying. But, at the same time, I’m ecstatic, adrenaline pumping through my veins at the prospect of getting down on one knee so soon.

“Thank you, Aaron. Truly, I want to become a part of your family, and plan to make your daughter very happy.”

He waves me off. “Don’t suck up, son. Eat your food, you have a game to prepare for. Speaking of, I heard about this retirement. Can’t say I didn’t agree to your future engagement with that in mind. I think it’ll make for a more stable marriage if you aren’t on the road half the year.”

I nod. “I agree, too.”

He points the knife in my direction. “But don’t get complacent, a man needs to work. What do you plan to do after you hang up that jersey?”

I swallowed down my food, still nervous in his presence even though the big ask was over. “I still have endorsement deals and contracts to fulfill, so those will keep me busy. But I know I need to find something to occupy my time. I’ll figure it out, as we know, I have other interests than just football.”

Aaron smiles, the first non-threatening expression he’s brought to this table. “I’m glad it’s you, the one she is finally ready to settle down with. I like a man who isn’t afraid to step up to me. Now let me tell you about my latest read, I think you’ll like it, too.”

As he launched into his latest novel obsession, we settled into a friendly, amicable lunch. And in the back of my mind, I realized that I wasn’t just gaining a wife, I was gaining a family.