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Finally, he says, “You have , Bennet I know you’ll be the best husband she could ever hope for But it’s going to be da you my son-in-law”

I chuckle “Yeah, I get that Maybe just stick to Bennet?”

Rick turns to one behind my back…”

“I know, Rick”

“But weirdly, part of lad you did”

My eyes widen, his words shocking me into silence

Rick goes on “If you had toldat her party, I would’ve killed it before it even started You two never would’ve bonded, and I never would’ve seen that love back there Because that’s what it is Love I tried to ignore it when I arrived But I can’t, not now She loves you, Bennet—”

“I hope so”

Rick shakes his head firmly “She loves you as much as you love her When you al at her But I was I’ve never seen her want anythingcontract, she doesn’t look like that She loves you She needs you”

I let his words bolsterto ask her”

“Now?” Rick’s eyebrows shoot up

“I have to I can’t wait anymore I need to let her kno badly I want to be with her, forever I need her to know as soon as I can I waited a year I’”

“I understand”

Rick offersit We shake, and then he pullshim on the back He pats

“Wishtoward the house

“You don’t need it”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Rory

Bennet holds htly, as he leadsbeneath a tall tree with sprawling leafless branches It’s beautiful and old looking, re which transcends time

When Bennet and dad left, ht about what had just happened

Dad approves Sure, I can tell it’s going to take hiet used to the idea of us But he approves, and that’s all that matters