Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
MADDIE
I don’t know if it’s a good idea for Parker to walk me home. But once again, I’ve found myself unable to say no to him. I felt bad about what happened earlier. Normally, I wouldn’t care, but with him, he brings out a side of me I didn’t know existed.
His sunny disposition makes me laugh even when others fail. He makes my chest ache when he gazes at me with his soulful blue eyes, ones that feel like they’ve seen the horrors of the world but can still look past all of it to see the good in everyone.
I wish I were like that. I wish I didn’t see everyone as a threat.
I wish I hadn’t grown up with an unhealthy outlook on life that resulted in me being the grumpiest bitch known to mankind.
I often watch Zoey and how she interacts with others, wishing I were more like her.
She’s so good and kind, and I’m… not. I mean, I’m not a terrible person. I just think I could do better.
I felt awful for both him and Amelia after hearing about what his ex-wife did.
What a complete bitch. Honestly, who does that?
She threw away two amazing people without a second thought.
My heart hurts just thinking about it. I had no idea what to say to Parker, so I told him I needed to go.
I’m terrible at comforting people, and I didn’t want to say the wrong thing. Knowing me… I probably would have.
Foot meet mouth, springs to mind.
We come to a stop outside my door, and I gaze up at him. He steps closer, his chest brushing against mine slightly. Even though we both have our coats on, I shiver as if he’d touched my skin.
“I want to hurt anyone who’s made you feel like you can’t live a life full of happiness and joy,” he says seriously, brushing a stray hair from my face. “You, Maddie Coleman, deserve the world.”
I swear I couldn’t pull myself away from him if I tried. His eyes say it all, and I believe every word. When he says stuff like this, it makes me want to be a better person. It makes me want to learn to be able to comfort him when he needs it.
He rubs his thumb softly across my cheek, and I lean into it without meaning to. Parker dips closer, his mouth just shy of mine, and I breathe him in. The fresh scent makes me feel safe and warm as my heart beats wildly against my chest.
I feel like he’s going to kiss me. Is he going to kiss me?
As if he can read my thoughts, he gently places his lips on mine.
My lips part on a gasp, and he gently pushes his tongue into my mouth, deepening the kiss. My arms act of their own accord, coming up to wrap around his neck, my hands tangling in his hair. Parker groans, grabbing my hips and pulling me closer, eradicating any space between us.
I don’t know how long we stand there kissing for, but I feel like I could do it forever. Eventually, he pulls back slowly, his eyes closed and a small smile playing on his lips.
“Damn,” he breathes out, chuckling.
“Uh huh,” I murmur, just as dazed as he seems.
Parker’s hand finds my face again, almost like he can’t bear not touching me, then he’s leaning down, stealing another kiss.
“And there I was, thinking I’d have to trick you by getting the mistletoe out,” he mumbles against my lips.
“Er, Parker?” I murmur. “Look up.”
He draws back, a look of confusion on his handsome face, before he glances up at a small bundle of mistletoe that hangs from the ceiling of the doorway.
“I really hope that was meant for me and not anyone else, sweetheart,” he grumbles, jealousy clear in his tone.
“Do you honestly think I’d let anyone else near me?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“Fair point,” he agrees, smiling.
“The landlady put it there. Something about ‘everyone should have a kiss under the mistletoe.’”
His carefree nature is so charming, I don’t think we’ve had an encounter so far that I haven’t enjoyed in one way or another. His eyes crinkle at the corners, showing his age, but it just makes me find him all the more attractive.
“I should get going,” he whispers as he takes a step back.
My body protests with the move, but my brain agrees. I need to figure out my feelings for the hot, older mechanic who seems to have me wrapped around his finger.
He starts walking backwards as he asks, “Can I see you again?”
“You know where I work,” I retort playfully, the corners of my lips quirking slightly.
He looks sheepish, his cheeks going red as he stops and shuffles around on his feet. “I meant on a date.”
A date? Can I go on a date with him? Can my heart cope with it? I look at him, weighing up my decision, but in all honesty, there’s no decision to be made—I already know my answer. Giving him a soft smile, I say, “Okay.”
The resulting grin I get back makes my cheeks warm, and a pool of something settles in my stomach.
“Okay?” he questions, almost like me agreeing doesn’t register properly.
I lift an eyebrow at him. “You’re repeating me again.”
“Well, yeah,” he replies. “You kinda have a habit of saying no to me.”
“I didn’t say no to our walk,” I point out, smiling.
He shrugs. “True, but a walk is a little bit different to a date date.”
“I feel like you’re wanting me to change my mind here.” I purse my lips, my insecurities hitting me.
Parker looks horrified. He reaches for my hands, taking them in his. “Absolutely not. I don’t want you to change your mind. I want you to go on a date date with me.” He pouts, giving me those puppy dog eyes that get me every time.
Honestly, this guy is too cute for words.
“ Okay ,” I laugh, feeling slightly better. “Yes, I’ll go on a date with you.”
Parker whoops in delight before engulfing me in a hug and picking me up, spinning me around until I’m dizzy. He puts me down gently, the snow falling on us as we gaze at one another.
He leans down to kiss me again, mumbling against my lips, “Okay.”
We break apart, and I fumble in my bag for my keys. Putting them in the door, I glance back at him. He gives me a big smile, and before I realize what’s happening, I’m smiling back. I open the door and walk inside, closing it softly behind me.
Arty comes to the door, wrapping himself around my legs with a “Meow.”
I put the keys on the hook and pick him up. “I know, boy, but there’s something about him I just can’t shake, and I don’t think I want to,” I say, nuzzling into his fur. Arty purrs, ignoring everything I’ve said. “Come on, let’s get you fed.”