Chapter six #3
I blow out a breath. “I can’t tomorrow. It’s Sunday, and I always have dinner with my family on Sundays.”
“Oh.” Her face falls a bit, but she recovers quickly. “Okay. No problem.”
“Actually, you need to come with me.”
Her eyes widen. “Go with you?”
“Yeah. I mean, it would be weird if I showed up without my fiancée, and I need to tell my mom before she hears it from someone else.”
“Oh God.” She bites her bottom lip. “Your mom is gonna hate me, isn’t she?”
“Are you kidding? She’ll probably try to formally adopt you,” I say sarcastically.
Cashlynn chuckles, her shoulders relaxing. “That would be weird.”
“I know, but I haven’t dated anyone in four years, so showing up to dinner with you is going to make her fucking night.”
She tilts her head, curiosity flickering in her amber eyes. “Why haven’t you dated anyone?”
“I just haven’t,” I say, shrugging as I grab my plate and head to the living room.
“Does it have something to do with why you think no one will believe that we’re engaged?” she presses, following me to the couch and sitting beside me.
“Drop it, Cashlynn.”
“I need to know more about you if we’re going to make this believable, Parker.” She settles in right next to me, not giving me any fucking space. I glare at her as I take a bite of my sandwich. “Am I wrong?”
I have to admit to myself that she’s right. But she doesn’t need to know all the details. “Fine. I was engaged to someone else, but it didn’t work out.”
Her eyes widen. “Oh.”
“Yeah, and that’s all you need to know, okay?” I face the television and finish my sandwich, but I can feel Cashlynn’s eyes on me the whole time. Finally, I glance over at her. “What?”
“Nothing.” She turns to face the TV too.
“Are you sure? You look like you’ve got something to say.”
Her head spins to me again. “I just…” Her brows draw together.
I’m growing more irritated by the second. “Spit it out, Cashlynn.”
She sets her plate on the coffee table and tucks her legs under her, turning to face me with her elbow braced on the back of the couch and her head nestled in her hand. And fuck, she looks sexy—relaxed, open, unbelievably brave. She has no fucking clue how much I envy her courage.
“I guess I just don’t understand how any woman could walk away from you.”
Her words catch me off guard. “Maybe you just don’t know me well enough,” I say, swallowing down the lump in my throat.
She smiles as she studies me. “Not only are you one of the most considerate men I’ve ever met, agreeing to this fake engagement to help me, but…
” Her eyes drop down to my lap, lingering there for a moment before lifting back to mine.
“There’s much more about you to appreciate than just intelligence and a kind heart.
” Standing from the couch, she looks down and winks at me. “Thanks for the sandwich, Parker.”
My dick rises in my shorts as I peer over my shoulder and watch her walk back to her room, shutting the door softly. I groan, dragging a hand down my face.
There’s no way I’m going to survive this arrangement—not when this woman is hell-bent on making me question whether I’m losing my mind…or if I actually want another woman for the first time in four years.
***
“Are you sure I look okay? I’m not overdressed?” Cashlynn smooths her dress down over her thighs, sitting in the passenger seat of my car as I drive to my mom’s house Sunday afternoon.
“You look great.”
Great is not a strong enough word, considering how my body reacted when she came out of her bedroom when it was time to leave.
She’s wearing an olive green sweater dress that clings to every curve, paired with knee-high black leather boots. Her blonde hair falls in loose waves over her shoulders, and her lips are painted the same soft pink as the day we met.
Saliva pooled in my mouth the moment I saw her, reminding me that no matter how much I try to ignore it, my attraction to her is still there.
It’s only been a few days since she came to town, and already, I’m wishing there weren’t so many complications between us—her being my boss’s daughter, this fake engagement bullshit, and the history that won’t stop haunting me.
If none of that existed, maybe I wouldn’t feel so damn guilty for wanting her the way I do.
Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
“So, what should I expect?” Cashlynn speaks again as we close in on our destination.
“Well, my mother is one hell of a cook, so expect lots of food.”
She smiles at that, patting her stomach. “I have no problem eating.”
I think back to how I watched her devour the tacos she made last night and how much I stared at her mouth each time she licked her fingers clean.
Fuck, I have issues.
“All my siblings will be there, including Grady and his wife, Scottie. Grady is Astrid’s brother, and Astrid is married to my brother, Penn, so he’s basically family at this point.”
“I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep all of these people straight. I have no idea what it’s like to have a big family. It’s been just me and my dad.”
The corner of my mouth twitches as I turn on my mom’s street. “Well, my family is loud and loves to give each other shit, so don’t be afraid to give it right back.”
“I am not about to insult your family, Parker.”
Parking along the curb, I turn off the engine and turn to face her.
“They won’t be insulted, believe me. In fact, you’ll fit right in.
” I reach for her hand, trying to comfort her.
I shouldn’t be touching her, especially since we’re alone.
But knowing she’s nervous is making me more nervous.
We have to be on the same page for this to work.
“You’ll be fine. Just watch out for my sister. ”
“Why?”
“Because Hazel loves to insert herself into my business. Don’t be surprised if she pulls you to the side and starts drilling you with questions.”
Cashlynn blinks. “Is there alcohol inside? I think I might need it.”
I chuckle. “There’s always wine. But I promise, tonight won’t be as bad as flying.”
“That’s not funny!” she calls out as I climb out of the car.
I walk around to her side, opening the door and offering my hand to help her out. She takes it, and I keep hold of it as I lead her to the front door, reminding myself this is all for show.
I brace myself for the inquisition that I know is going to come from my mother as I reach for the doorknob. Before I can even open the door, however, Mom swings it open with a borderline terrifying smile on her face. “Parker Eric Sheppard! You brought a date?”
“Uh, hi, Mom,” I say, trying to assess if she’s mad or elated. “This is Cashlynn.”
She turns to Cashlynn and pulls her in for a hug. “You must have a heart of gold.”
“And why’s that?” I ask.
“Because clearly, she’s broken down your walls if you’re bringing her here.” My mother shoots me a glare and then smiles back at Cashlynn.
Cashlynn darts her eyes to mine, and then smiles back at my mom. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Sheppard.”
“Please call me Katherine.” My mom pulls her inside a little too eagerly, and I follow them. My entire family is all gathered, staring in our direction as my mother announces our arrival. “Everyone, this is Cashlynn.”
“We know, Mom. We’ve already met Parker’s fiancée,” Dallas replies, and all the women in the room spin their heads to look at me.
“Fiancée?” they echo simultaneously, Hazel’s voice the loudest, of course.
My mom studies me. “Wait. You’re—you’re engaged?”
I stiffen under their scrutiny, but Cashlynn steps closer, looping her arm through mine and squeezing lightly. And thank God she does—because having everyone’s eyes on me is making me feel like I’m on stage at a talent show butt-ass naked.
“We are. I’m sorry you had to find out this way, Katherine, but Parker and I met a year ago, and I just recently moved to Carrington Cove so we could be together. My dad is actually Parker’s boss.”
Hazel’s eyes bug out. “You’re Dr. O’Neil’s daughter?”
“Yep.”
Dallas walks over to us and clasps my shoulder, leaning in to whisper, “Better to get that detail out of the way now.” Then, he addresses everyone. “Is anyone else hungry? I have a very hungry pregnant wife, so how about we make our way to the table?”
Willow nods and rubs her belly. “I could eat a freaking elephant right now.” Then she looks at Cashlynn and smiles. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Cashlynn smiles in return. “Likewise.”
Everyone moves to the dining room, taking their seats at the table and introducing themselves to Cashlynn as we settle in.
The kids have their own table off to the side, where Bentley and Lilly, Astrid and Penn’s children, sit with Chase, Scottie’s teenage son.
And even though Chase barely fits in the chairs at the small table, he plays along since Lilly loves having him near.
My sister and mom finish the final touches on the food, and soon we’re all digging in, filling our plates with homemade lasagna, salad, and garlic bread.
“So, I think I speak for everyone when I ask, how the hell did this happen?” Hazel says as the clinking of silverware dies down around us.
“It’s a long story,” I reply, growing irritated. I knew this was coming, but now that it’s here, I feel completely unprepared.
“We’ve got all night, Parker,” Hazel counters with a smirk.
Grady, Penn, and Dallas all laugh under their breath, clearly enjoying my discomfort.
Fuckers.
“Parker comforted me on a flight over a year ago,” Cashlynn jumps in smoothly, saving me from launching across the table. “I’m terrified of flying and he made sure I was okay the entire time.”
My mother reaches for my hand and squeezes. “That sounds like my Parker.”