Page 101 of Aiden & Lily

Well, except for sheer terror.

Mr. Taylor was one of the most imposing men Aiden knew. He was strong and had a no-nonsense way about him. His beliefs and values were rooted in tradition. Thank goodness Aidendidn’t have any Meyers blood running through his veins, or this relationship with Lily would have been much harder.

Aiden couldn’t even fault Royce for eloping with the girl he loved. Standing before their families and proclaiming their love for each other had to be one of the hardest things he and Penny had dealt with.

Swallowing hard, Aiden took a step toward the house, then stopped again. What if George Taylor told him no? Then what? Shoot. Aiden didn’t have a safety net. He’d already made reservations at Lily’s favorite restaurant. They were going out tonight, and everything was already set up.

Suddenly, Aiden felt even sicker to his stomach.

“You gonna keep staring at it, or dredge up some courage and knock?”

Aiden startled and turned to find Emerson lounging against a nearby truck. He had a piece of straw dangling from his lips. His dark blue eyes nearly matched his black hair in this light. Then again, that could have been due to the shadow cast by his cowboy hat.

His lips curled into a smirk as he nodded toward the house. “Seeing as Lily is out shopping with Jazz for tonight, I think I have a pretty good idea why you’re here.”

Aiden cast another nervous glance at the house. “What if he says no?”

Emerson chuckled. “The better question is whether it’s worth the risk.” He pushed away from the truck and sauntered over. “George is fiercely protective of his daughters. But you have a few things going for you.”

“I do?”

The cowboy held up three fingers, ticking them off as he spoke. “You’re not a Meyers.”

Aiden tossed him a knowing look.

“You’ve got a good job, and people around here respect you.” Emerson then turned his eyes toward the house—or maybe one window in particular. His expression grew thoughtful. “And you love her. All of her. You’re willing to stand beside her when life gets difficult.”

Aiden studied Emerson. Something in his quiet voice made Aiden wonder if he was speaking from experience. It sent a shiver down his spine and made him wonder if Emerson was speaking from personal experience.

He didn’t get a chance to ask, however, because Emerson clapped him on the back before giving him a gentle shove.

“Just be honest with the man. Show him you respect his daughter and want to build a good life with her.” He didn’t bother meeting Aiden’s eyes before heading toward the barn, whistling.

Doing his best not to show how nervous he was, Aiden straightened his shoulders and strode toward the house. He lifted his fist, knocked twice, then waited.

When the door opened, he came face-to-face with Lily’s father.

“Hello, Mr. Stone.”

Lily dartedout of the house before Aiden had a chance to cross the yard from his vehicle. She threw herself into his arms, and he held her tight. Dipping his face toward her hair, he breathed her in.

They were in such a good place now, and he never wanted that to change. Over the past few months, he had done his best to keep every promise he’d made to her. They told each othereverything. Sometimes they stayed up late discussing everything from their childhoods to their dreams for the future.

There were only two things he hadn’t told her—the ring and the conversation he’d had with her father that afternoon.

Aiden hadn’t revealed the ring he’d purchased the day everything went wrong. The day of her birthday. He had held onto it because he knew it would have been too much to put on her then. Lily hadn’t deserved to feel cornered or pressured after he had already kept so much from her.

This was different.

Neither the ring nor the conversation with her father was a truth Lily needed in order to choose him. They were surprises—ones he hoped would make her happy.

She pulled back, her eyes sparkling. “Jasmine told me we’re meeting up after dinner for ice cream. Why didn’t you tell me?”

He tapped her nose. “I might tell you everything, angel, but you still need a healthy dose of surprises in your life.” He made a face, as though Jasmine spoiling it was some major disappointment. “I guess I know better than to confide in your sister. Guys are so much better at keeping things on the down low.”

Lily’s arched brow and the turn of her lips said it all. “Parker is going to be there too, isn’t he? Please tell me we’re going to try to get them together.”

Aiden threw his head back with a laugh, then pulled her in for another kiss, its warmth settling through him. This connection was more than physical and emotional. This was a connection created by God himself. If there was ever such a thing as soulmates, Lily was his without a doubt.