Romina sighed, a little gloomy. “River and I just made things official. We should date properly first. I don’t want to rush into marriage.” She paused, then added firmly, “The earliest we could marry is during the Lunar New Year. I’m not getting married within these next two months.”
If it weren’t for turning thirty right after the holiday—and for her parents and grandfather pushing—Romina would have preferred dating River for at least two years before tying the knot.
Mrs. Lafayette pressed gently. “Your grandfather thinks it would be best if you married before the Lunar New Year. Pick a good date in advance.”
“Mom, that’s way too rushed!” Romina protested. “I haven’t even been to River’s home or met his parents. You’re already setting dates? Are you really that desperate to marry me off?”
Mrs. Lafayette chuckled. “If you were marrying someone ordinary, maybe your father and I would want to keep you close. But marrying River? We’d hand you over right away. Too many women admire him, and once the passion fades, who’s to say he won’t change?”
Though she trusted River, she dangled the thought like bait, trying to make her daughter feel a sense of urgency.
Romina wasn’t having it. “Mom, if he’s going to change, marriage won’t stop him. And if he’s not going to change, then there’s no difference whether we marry early or later. At the very least, we need to date. I should visit his home, meet his parents, and get their approval. Then both families can sit down, have dinner, and really talk. After that, we can discuss marriage. Slowly. Properly. Not like I’m being thrown at him, desperate. It’s not like no one wants me. If I wanted, plenty of men would line up to marry me.”
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