This is my best friend’s child. His little girl. But she’s nineteen, a legal adult, and technically can make any decision she wants.

Such as choosing to be with me, which is the only right choice in my mind.

But how can a man who’s been out of society, the labor force…one who has no meaningful skills, a convict, provide for her, make her his, and hold her back from the life she deserves, and surely wants?

I can’t, but I also can’t let her go.

I’m not a man who waivers, who spends time ruminating when I know what I want. And I can’t wait, not when it comes to her.

She’s too special, too perfect, and meant to be mine.

From the moment I laid eyes on her all other men ceased to exist for her.

Because there’s no way in hell I’m letting another man lay a finger on her, claim her as his.

I will be the one and only man to ever touch her, make her smile every day for the rest of her life, to claim her in the bedroom and every other room in the house that we will share.

It’s only a matter of time.

There is no other option, but me and her. Together forever.