Chapter 37
Parker
I walk into the local flower shop and am greeted by the older man that owns it, Dominic. I immediately think of Lily’s comments about him being a “flower daddy” and have to hold back my laughter.
It’s like her voice is constantly playing on a loop in my mind asking about “flower daddy.”
“How can I help you?” His voice is gruff and at first glance you wouldn’t assume he’s a florist. Maybe a lumberjack, but certainly not a man who owns a flower shop.
“Hey,” I greet. “I’m hoping to get a bouquet for my girls’ birthday.”
“I remember you, tulips, right?”
I nod while thinking about Tulips, the puppy she named after I got her the flowers. Even though she’s never confirmed that’s why she named her what she did, I know Lily.
“Yeah, those are her favorite.”
“And you said it’s her birthday?”
I nod, looking around for a good arrangement to get her. I want to get her something more special than the last one.
He grunts before turning and walking toward the back. I assume the noise was one of acknowledgment. It’s a little hard to tell because he seems so serious.
When he returns, he’s carrying a large bouquet filled with mostly tulips that are all different shades of purple ranging from light to dark. The best part about the bouquet that really stands out is the few white lilies peeking out.
“Are you a psychic florist?” I ask in an attempt at a joke.
“What?” His face remains deadly serious, and I clear my throat awkwardly.
“Nothing, never mind. That’s perfect, I’ll take it.”
He wraps the flowers in paper as I pay. I think for a split second about getting a card, but then I think about something Lily has said before about cards being a waste of paper that people feel bad throwing away. Even the memory of her saying it has me smiling like an idiot.
I fucking love that woman. I want to tell her, but the small piece of me that’s concerned about her wanting to leave is holding back. I recognize she just got out of another relationship and despite me saying I wanted to go slow and do it right this time I don’t think we’ve gone slow.
Leaving the flower shop, I shake away the negative thoughts because it’s going to be a good day. The best birthday she’s had in a long time. Her mom is making her favorite dinner and I’m picking up her favorite dessert. Not tiramisu. I’m very familiar with her opinions on that dessert.
The local bakery has a variety of baked goods, and you really can’t go wrong with anything from there, but their cupcakes are her favorite. The flavors change all the time, but I put an order in for her favorites a couple days ago so they would be ready for today.
“Hi Parker,” the owner, Barb, greets.
“Hey.” I smile. She knows Lily and me from how often we came in when we were kids. She won’t do custom orders for just anyone but said she always will for us.
“I threw in a few extras as my own happy birthday to Lily.” She winks, handing over the box of treats.
“Thank you, I’ll let her know those are from you.”
“I’m just so happy to see you two have mended things,” she says sweetly.
“Me too,” I agree. Sometimes it can be challenging to have a whole town know so much about your business. Like the looks of pity I would get from people after Lily left. But right now, I don’t mind it because I want to share my joy of having Lily back with everyone who will listen.
“You all enjoy.” She waves as I carry the box out to my truck.
When I get to Lily’s house, Ethan lets me in. “Hey man, where’s your sister?”
“She’s out with the horses, don’t worry.”
I chuckle. He said he wanted to help setting up for her birthday, but that it has to be a surprise. The entire house smells delicious from the meal Lily’s mom is cooking. We pass her dad in the living room reading in his recliner.
“Hey, Mr. Baker.”
“Parker.” He nods his head. It’s always amazed me how the man has such little to say when the rest of his family is so outgoing. I guess that makes it easier for him to not be.
“Hi, Parker,” Mrs. Baker says brightly, her eyes dropping down to the flowers in my hand. “Oh my God, those are gorgeous. She’s going to love them.”
I smile proudly, though I already know she will, hearing her mom confirm it is nice. I also hope she likes her real present that she’s not getting in front of everyone.
“Parker,” Ethan gets my attention, and I turn to him. “Are we going to the Strawberry Festival next week?”
I forgot I told him we could do that. The annual Amity Strawberry Festival is one of the few events around town.
It’s notorious for not having any strawberries.
There’s a small rodeo, one that Lily, and sometimes I, would participate in when we weren’t out of practice.
There’s also a small carnival with games and a few rides.
“Of course,” I agree because I’ll never fall through on a promise. “Do you think we should invite Lily?”
He scrunches his face. “Won’t she kill the vibe?”
“Lily worm!” Jerry Lee squawks from his cage.
“Lily? Killing a vibe? Never.” I shake my head. If anything, she brings a vibe. That woman can light up any room she walks into.
“Jizz!” Jerry Lee adds.
“Jerry Lee, I swear,” Mrs. Baker scolds. “I’m going to make Trish take him back before the salon is ready.”
“I like him,” Ethan announces proudly.
“Me too,” I add.
“Parker, you’re more than welcome to let him live with you then,” she offers.
“I would, but I don’t think Franki would like that very much. And I don’t think Jerry Lee would like to be left alone while I’m on shift.”
“It was worth a try.” She sighs.
Ethan and I put up some of the decorations I got.
A banner that says, “happy birthday” and some multicolored streamers.
Lily loves when people make a big deal out of her birthday, it’s cute.
I haven’t talked to her much today other than wishing her happy birthday this morning, so I don’t think she’s expecting anything other than a family dinner.
We display the cupcakes on a tray, forming them in an “L” for her. Ethan tries to sneak one early, but I bat his hand away. “Not yet.”
The chicken and dumplings Mrs. Baker’s cooking smell so good, and my stomach growls. I look outside to see Lily bringing Boone into the barn.
“I’ll be back,” I announce to anyone listening. Ethan got sucked into whatever is on the TV, and I jog out to the barn as Lily is putting her horse back in her stall.
“One of these days you’re going to have to race me again,” I say, startling her.
“Jesus Parker. Warn a bitch next time,” she scolds as I close the distance between us, wrapping my arm around her back and hauling her into my chest.
“Sorry, Lil, let me make it up to you.” I drop my lips onto hers in a deep kiss that has her melting into me immediately.
Her arms wrap around me, and I’m seconds from lifting her and fucking her against the stall door right here.
It hasn’t even been that long, but any second away from her feels like forever now that I have her back.
I pull away reluctantly but keep her in my arms. “Happy birthday.”
She hums. “Do I get a present?”
I drop my voice to answer, “Of course.” I move my hands to her hips, pulling us apart and she pouts. “But not yet, that comes later.”
“I hope that means I come later.”
I bark out a laugh, bringing her into me again with my arm around her shoulders, and kissing the top of her head. “Anything you want, baby.”
I consider dinner with the Bakers a family dinner because Lily and I grew up so close.
Plus, with my mom here, she’s the only family I have aside from the Bakers.
Of course, that means the dinners we have usually have some sort of chaos.
Usually at the hand of Lily, but as Ethan gets older, he’s becoming more and more like his sister.
It brings me a sense of peace to be all together again like we used to. My mom and Trish joined us a little before dinner was ready. Jerry Lee let everyone know how he feels about the company by barking and screaming obscenities.
Tulips showed her feelings by rolling onto her back after slip and sliding all over the wood floor. She’s been hanging out under the table while we’ve all been eating. I can only imagine how sad she’ll be when she’s full grown and huge, unable to do that anymore.
While everyone at the table is lost in conversation I stand up to get one of the cupcakes to put a candle in and bring to Lily. She looks up at me, and I wink at her. I love how this feels like how it used to. It never mattered where the other was in a room, we could find the other like a magnet.
I light the candle, cupping my hand behind the fire to make sure it doesn’t blow out, before I’m able to set it in front of her.
Lily’s mom starts singing happy birthday, and we all join in.
I stand behind Lily’s chair, setting the cupcake in front of her as the song comes to an end.
I rest my hands on her shoulders because I feel like I need to be touching her at all times.
She blows out the candle as I lean down to whisper in her ear. “What’d you wish for, Lil?”
She turns her head which brings our faces less than an inch apart. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“Don’t be gross, I want a cupcake,” Ethan announces loudly, causing laughter around the table.
I press a quick kiss to the top of Lily’s head, knowing that the night is only going to get better from here.
"Hunky Parker!" Jerry Lee squawks, causing more laughter.
“I think that’s the best thing you taught him,” I tease Lily.
“I still don’t know what you’re talking about, that wasn’t me.”
I just laugh, shaking my head.
After dinner I say goodbye to my mom before going to my truck to leave myself. Lily jogs outside with a confused look on her face. “You’re leaving?”
“I am.”
Her eyebrows draw together even deeper. “I thought we would have some alone time,” she whispers even though no one is close enough to hear us.
“Who says we won’t.” I wink. “Keep your window unlocked for me.”
“Parker, we’re adults. You do know we don’t have to sneak out, right?”
“We don’t have to, but isn’t it a little fun to pretend?”
She purses her lips, and I cup her cheek, kissing the look away. “I’ll see you later.” I kiss her quickly again before stepping into my truck and rolling down the window.
“What if I don’t unlock my window? Maybe this is your last chance to see me for the night,” she sasses.
“You wouldn’t do that. I know you want your present.” She can’t even deny that because I know she does.
And to me the night is just getting started.