9. Chapter 9
Chapter nine
Cashlynn
“Wasn’t your dad supposed to be here by now?” Parker asks as he stirs the pasta boiling on the stove.
I glance at the microwave clock. “Yes. Do you think he got lost?” Before he can answer, the doorbell rings. My stomach twists, nerves surging. “Guess not,” I mutter.
Parker and I rehearsed our story last night and again this afternoon as soon as he got home from the animal hospital. While he was at work, I moved my things into his bedroom so that if Dad wants a tour of the house, it looks like we share a room. Parker didn’t seem too thrilled about it, but agreed it was a smart move.
“Just breathe.” Parker’s calm, steady voice cuts through the my building nerves. He gives me a reassuring smile. “Let’s go answer the door together.”
“Yeah. Okay.”
With his hand on the small of my back—a move I’m becoming a big fan of—we head for the front door. We open it to find my father leaning on his cane, a bottle of wine in his other hand.
“ Hi, Dad.” I step forward and wrap my arms around him, even though his hands are full.
He kisses me on the temple instead of returning my hug. “Hi there, June Bug.” When he stands tall again, he glances over at Parker. “Parker.”
Parker reaches for the wine. “Robert. Thanks for coming over.”
“Well, I guess I should get used to visiting since this is my daughter’s home now too.” He walks through the front door and shuffles toward the dining room.
“I’m sorry,” I say to Parker under my breath.
“What are you apologizing for now?”
“His attitude. I just—”
Parker leans forward and presses a kiss to my forehead. His lips barely graze my skin, but it’s enough to short-circuit my brain. “I can handle your father,” he says. “I’ve been working with him for the past six years, remember?”
“Yeah, but you weren’t always fake engaged to me.”
Parker’s expression hardens slightly. “No, but if he’s going to have that big of an attitude about it, I can give it right back.”
“You’re supposed to be buttering him up, remember? The practice? That’s why you agreed to this.”
“Not if it means standing by while he doesn’t support you.” He takes my hand and leads me toward the kitchen, my heart thrashing in my chest from his words.
As the days pass and I inch closer to opening my gallery, I’m starting to feel like Parker genuinely believes in me, and I’m not sure why.
Maybe Hazel is right. Maybe there are feelings there that even he’s oblivious to.
“Smells good. What are you making, June Bug?”
“ Actually, Parker’s cooking tonight,” I say, retrieving the wine opener from a drawer as Parker moves back to the stove.
“You cook, Parker?”
“I do. My mother always made my brothers and me help in the kitchen when we were young. She said she refused to raise boys that didn’t know how to fend for themselves or impress a woman.”
I glance back at him and he winks at me over his shoulder.
“Parker’s cooking is one of the biggest perks of living together,” I say, loving when he gives me glimpses of the man beyond the exterior.
“I imagine it’s hard to do much of that when you’re in a long-distance relationship, huh?” My father says, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
I pour three glasses of the red wine my father bought, handing one to Parker before taking the other two to the dining room table. Placing one in front of Dad, I take the seat next to him.
“I know you have questions, Dad.”
“You’re damn right I do.” He picks up his wine glass and takes a sip as he leans back in his chair, his large belly protruding over the waistband of his pants.
“And we will answer them. But do you think you can chill a bit since you just got here?”
His response is a grunt.
“How hungry are you, Robert?” Parker asks from the kitchen as he starts plating the pasta carbonara. My mouth is salivating from the smell of it alone.
My dad pats his stomach. “Don’t give me too much, son. I’m trying to watch my figure.”
Parker chuckles and plates three helpings of the pasta and garlic bread. He brings them to the table, settling into the chair next to me.
“This smells amazing, babe,” I say, catching his eye.
He smiles over at me before reaching for his glass of wine. “Thank you.” Then he holds his glass out, suggesting a toast. “To family and the beginning of a new life for all of us.”
My father raises an eyebrow before slowly reaching forward to clink his glass with ours. “To family.”
The three of us eat in silence for a few minutes, the tension simmering just beneath the surface.
“Who knew you could cook, Parker?” Dad says eventually.
Parker chuckles. “I’ll take that as a compliment, sir.”
“Sir? Don’t start treating me differently now that you’re marrying my daughter,” he admonishes. “But while we’re on the subject, I think I’m ready for an explanation.”
Parker’s gaze shifts to me, his expression encouraging me to start, like we discussed.
“Okay, Dad. Here’s how things happened.” I spend the next few minutes retelling our story to my father, emphasizing how crazy it was that the doctor he’d always spoken about with such pride was the man that ended up comforting me during a flight. We talked about how whenever Parker went out of town, he would make sure to fly to Philadelphia to see me. We fell hard and fast, and after months of long-distance, we realized we didn’t want to be apart anymore. Moving here was the obvious choice.
“But I shocked him when I showed up earlier than planned,” I explain. “When I heard you got hurt, I came down sooner than we’d discussed. That’s why Parker was so surprised to see me that day.”
“I see.” My father finishes his wine, setting the glass on the table. All three of us are finished eating, so the only thing left to do is soak up the palpable tension in the room. “I understand being wary of telling me, but here’s my issue.” He turns his gaze to Parker. “If you were serious enough about my daughter to propose, why didn’t you come to me then? At the very least, you should’ve asked me for her hand in marriage.”
Parker clears his throat. “If I could take that part back, Robert, I would. Truly.” He turns to me and places a finger under my chin, directing my gaze to his. “But we were tired of being apart. I knew if I was really going to convince her to make the move, I had to show her I was all in.”
Parker’s eyes dance all over my face, and if I didn’t know that he was acting, I’d believe every emotion his words are conveying right now. His eyes dip to my lips, and before I think better of it, I press a soft kiss to his mouth. It’s brief, just enough to sell it without giving my father a heart attack at the other end of the table.
“Well, I have to say, if I had to choose anyone for my June Bug, it would be you, Parker.”
I turn to my father as Parker wraps his arm around my shoulders. “I’m glad you feel that way, Dad,” I say, relief blooming in my chest.
“So, when’s the wedding?”
Parker coughs behind me, apparently losing his composure from before, so I jump in. “We haven’t talked about it much, Dad. It’s been a whirlwind with the move and everything.”
“I see.”
“But we did find a ring,” Parker adds, reaching for my hand. He brings it to his mouth, kissing my knuckles before extending it to Dad.
My dad assesses the ring. “It’s stunning. At least you did right by her in that respect.”
“I tried. I knew this ring belonged on her finger the second I saw it.”
“You two still have a lot to learn about each other, though.”
Parker laughs under his breath as he rises to clear our plates. “Oh believe me, we’ve been learning plenty about each other.”
My father’s eyebrows rise. “Oh? Like what?”
“ Like your daughter unplugs appliances when they aren’t being used,” he says, taking our plates over to the sink.
My father looks at me quizzically. “Is that true, June Bug?”
“Um, yes.” My words come out shaky. “It helps conserve energy.”
My dad scoffs. “I doubt that.”
“That’s what I said,” Parker calls over his shoulder, scrubbing the dishes.
“Yeah, well, Parker irons his socks!” I counter, folding my arms as I bite back a grin.
My father’s gaze darts to my fake fiancé. “You do?”
“They’re dress socks. It just makes sense,” he grumbles as I fight to hold in my laughter.
My father chuckles quietly, which I take as a good sign. “Well, it seems you two are learning a lot about each other now that you’re living together, aren’t you?”
“We are, and I’m happy here, Dad.”
He leans forward in his chair and lowers his voice. “I’m allowed to be worried about you, June Bug. This whole thing is a little out of character for you.”
“Well, people change. And what we want out of life can change too, Dad.”
He exhales sharply, sitting upright again. “That it can.”
“What about you?”
“What about me?” he asks, a bit too defensively.
“Have you given any more thought to making some changes too? Taking better care of yourself?” Parker clears his throat loudly from the kitchen, so I turn to look at him. His eyebrows shoot up, and he tilts his head slightly, as if to say, Don’t forget our deal, Cashlynn. Subtle. Real s ubtle.
I turn back to my dad, trying to keep my voice casual. “You know, now you’ll have a son-in-law to leave the practice to.”
My dad grunts. “I haven’t made my decision on that yet. And given these recent developments, I might need to reconsider my options.”
Leaning forward, I reach for his hand. “Dad, please don’t blame Parker for keeping this a secret. It was my choice, okay?”
“Besides, we’ve all got our secrets, right, Robert?” Parker chimes in. I look between him and my dad, confused.
My dad’s gaze flicks to Parker, and for a moment, something unreadable passes between them. Then he clears his throat, brushing the remark aside. “I just don’t get why you couldn’t tell me yourself, June Bug.”
“You’re not the easiest to talk to sometimes,” I admit, my voice low.
“That’s not true,” he replies sharply, leaving no room for argument.
I give him a pointed look that says Point made.
His jaw tightens, and for a moment, he looks like he wants to argue further. But then he exhales, shifting slightly in his chair. “Well...at least I know now. I guess I should just be grateful it brought you here.”
“That would be nice.”
He stands from his chair, leaning on his cane for support as he pulls me up with him. “You mean the world to me, June. I just want what’s best for you.” He pulls me in for a hug.
“I know.”
“I can’t lose you too.”
I look up at him, his words cutting deep. “You’re not losing me.”
Brushing my hair from my face, he says, “You remind me so much of your mother sometimes. You’re too smart, too driven.”
I life my chin. “Those aren’t bad things, Dad.”
He nods, closing his eyes and kissing the top of my head. “I know. But when I see you making impulsive decisions, it scares me.”
Beh ind me, Parker clears his throat, stepping closer. “I’m looking out for her, Robert. I promise.”
My father releases me, and before I can move, Parker pulls me against his chest. His arm circles my shoulders protectively. “I know you didn’t find out about this in the best way, but I’m asking you to trust us. Trust that we’re doing what’s right for us at the right time.”
My dad studies us, his gaze shifting between me and Parker. And standing here in Parker’s arms under the scrutiny of my father’s gaze makes me feel like maybe I can fight for what I want here—as long as I have Parker to back me up.
I love my dad with all of my heart and soul, but he’s so stubborn, so hell-bent on what he believes. I know fear fuels so many of his emotions, but until I can show him how successful I can be doing something that I genuinely love, I have to keep him in the dark.
He nods. “I think it’s time for me to make some decisions too.”
Parker and I share a look, but Parker speaks first. “What kind of decisions?”
“Well, after our conversation the other day, June Bug, and everything that’s happened this past week, I think you’re right.” He takes a deep breath and says, “I think it’s time to start considering my retirement. I’m not saying it will happen tomorrow, but it’s time to really consider my successor.”
I can feel Parker tense up behind me, his grip on my shoulder tightening.
“I’m glad you’re going to consider it, Dad.”
“I’ve been thinking about it a lot, and given all of the changes going on, and the fact that you’re here now, I think I’m ready to enjoy the rest of my life outside of the hospital.”
Parker squeezes my shoulder again. “That place can suck you in, can’t it?”
My dad actually laughs. “Yes, it can. And there’s more to life than work.”
I eye my father curiously. “I’m sorry, but who are you and what have you done with my dad?”
He smirks and starts for the door. “No need to commit me just yet. I said I’m thinking about it, all right? I didn’t say it’s happening anytime soon.”
Parker and I follow him to the door. “Leaving already?” I ask as he reaches the entryway.
“Yes. It’s getting late and I hate driving at night.” He taps his cane on the ground. “Plus, Beth is taking me for a walk in the morning without this thing, so I need to get my rest. That woman can be a real ball-buster, if you know what I mean.”
Parker laughs lightly. “Oh, I’m aware.”
My dad leans forward and kisses my cheek. “I love you, June.”
“Love you too, Dad.”
Parker reaches out to shake his hand. “Thanks for coming over, Robert.”
My father clasps his hand, holding it firm as his gaze locks with Parker’s. “Take care of my daughter, Parker.”
“I plan on it.”
The moment the door shuts behind him, I let out the breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. Leaning back against the front door, I turn to find Parker watching my dad through the window as he makes his way out to his car.
“Oh my God…”
“He’s gone,” Parker says, his voice low, posture still tense.
I take a deep breath and blow it out. “I think he actually bought it.”
Parker’s jaw clenches and then he turns away from the window and heads back into the kitchen.
“ Parker?” I call, trailing after him cautiously. “Are you okay?”
He doesn’t say anything. Instead, he grabs the sponge and starts scrubbing a plate like it personally offended him.
“Hey,” I say, placing a hand on his forearm. “I told you I would clean up since you cooked.”
“It’s fine,” he replies, his voice clipped.
I take a step back and study him, wondering how he went from acting the part of adoring fiancé back to grumpy old man again so quickly. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No, Cashlynn. I’m fine, okay?”
“Okay…but you don’t seem fine. You seem like you’re about to go lock yourself in your room and start ironing your whole freaking closet.”
He turns to look at me. “Why would I do that?”
“I don’t know. Why do you iron your socks?”
He shakes his head and blows out a breath. “Just drop it.”
“I don’t understand—”
He drops the sponge in the water and hangs his head. “I just have a lot of feelings right now, and I’m trying not to explode, okay?”
My heart thunders in my chest. “Okay…”
His head turns and our eyes meet, his stormy with something I can’t quite place. “This whole thing…” He lifts a hand and gestures vaguely between us as his eyes drop down to my lips and then back up to my eyes. “It’s just a lot, okay?”
“I get it.”
He nods and retrieves the sponge from the water, going back to washing the dishes. For a second, I contemplate pushing him to open up to me, to tell me everything that’s going through his mind, but I think better of it. Because if he’s feeling even half of what I’m feeling, I’m sure he’s overwh elmed.
Every time this man touches me, my entire body ignites, my skin comes alive, and this need to surrender to him fills my veins. No man has ever made me feel as safe and seen as he does. It was instant the first time we met, and as we slip deeper into our parts in this production, the more I crave that side of him again. This gruff man, the one who’s probably about to crack a tooth from clenching his jaw so hard? That man is not the Parker I fantasized about.
The only thing I can do is try to remind him of what we shared, of how incredible our connection was and still is—how the sacrifices he’s making for me make me want to give myself over to him, mind and body.
“Parker?” I say softly.
“Yeah?”
“Look at me.”
He sighs and drops the sponge back in the water, turning to face me. His green eyes meet mine, framed by his glasses, and my breath catches. “What?”
Without hesitating, I cup his face with both hands and bring his lips to mine. He freezes for a beat, but as soon as I swipe my tongue across his lower lip, he groans and opens up for me.
Mother of God. Yes, this is what I need.
Our mouths move together on instinct, nipping and sucking, swirling tongues and swallowing moans as he lifts me onto the counter, squeezing my hips and devouring my mouth. I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him closer into me, rubbing myself along his erection I can feel pressing against the zipper of his slacks.
I claw at his back, dig one hand into his hair, and pull him in as tightly as I can. He grabs handfuls of my ass, pressing his cock to my center, right where I need him most.
But then, as if someone threw a bucket of ice water on him, he rips himself from me, his chest heaving as he steps back, his gaze locked on mine.
“Fuck,” he groans, turning away and running a hand through his hair.
I hop down from the counter, move closer to him, and gently turn him to face me.
“Thank you for tonight,” I say simply, pressing a kiss to his cheek before walking away, giving him the space to unravel in private. I can’t bear to see a single ounce of regret on his face—I’m already drowning in enough of my own. Regret for lying to my dad, for pulling Parker into my chaos, for existing in this strange limbo between truth and fiction.
But kissing Parker?
Not a single part of me regrets that. Because with every touch, every unguarded moment, every piece of him he lets slip through, I know one thing for sure—I want this man more than just temporarily.
And after that kiss, I’m pretty sure he wants me too.