Chapter 16
I’ll Marry You
I’ve always been an extrovert. That’s probably part of the reason I got along so well with Hazel.
We’re like yin and yang. I do the talking when her social battery is depleted, or pull her out of her comfort zone when she needs it.
She talks through things with me when I need her logical, overthinking brain to help me figure things out instead of going off like a bomb every time I’m upset.
I can’t count how many times I’ve dragged her out of her house, away from her stress-inducing spreadsheets, and into some random dive bar when she’s getting overwhelmed.
One of my favorite things to watch is Hazel starting to come back to life under the glow of some neon lights, french fries on her plate and not a care in the world.
The only thing is, I’m always the one to extend the invite to go out. I don’t mind it, Hazel is always the one to text when we have a girl’s night in at the ranch, or go on a horseback ride. But when we go out? That’s all me.
They say how you recharge shows if you’re an extrovert or an introvert. I recharge when I’m around people. Talking to my friends takes a weight off of my chest. Checking in with Aunt Millie resets my mood. Being alone just makes me sad at best, anxious at worst.
So when I open my phone to a text from Parker, I’m pleasantly surprised.
Parker
Coffee?
I shoot back a quick yes, opening my closet with a giggle of glee. A hike with the girls and now coffee with my favorite cowpoke on the ranch? How did I get so lucky?
Ten minutes later I’ve got on a black denim vest, red cowgirl boots, my favorite pair of flared jeans, my hair thrown up into a ponytail tied with a bandana and I’m out the door.
And, to think, Hazel tried telling me I wouldn’t need half of my wardrobe for one summer of renovating a cabin in Wyoming.
It’s mid-morning when I sit down at a high top table at my new favorite coffee shop in Jackson Hole.
Parker saunters into the warm glow of the cafe’s low hanging lights just after I take my first sip of caramel latte.
The first sip of coffee and the happiness it brings should be studied.
He gives me a quick wave before placing his order at the counter.
Parker slides into the wooden barstool across the table from me, depositing his cowboy hat on the wall hook next to us. Western towns. They always have a place to hang your hat and tie up your horse, like it’s 1855.
“Hey there, Idaho.”
“Hi, cowboy.”
Parker’s smile grows that much more as he gives me a wink, combing through his light brown hair with his fingers. I’m certain he’s always smiling. His cheek muscles must be jacked.
“I’m loving the whole Canadian tuxedo look,” he gestures to my outfit. I give him a little hair flip, which makes him laugh. “We should have coordinated outfits, I’m halfway there.”
Parker’s blue jeans are significantly less dusty today. It must be his day off at the ranch or something. Instead of a plaid, pearl snap button shirt like usual, he’s got on a plain white t-shirt and a tan corduroy jacket. Definitely not ranching attire.
“Next time,” I chuckle.
A petite, blonde barista stops at our table, handing Parker his coffee in a clay mug with an antler stamped on the side. He thanks her with a smile, and I swear she almost faints on site. I roll my eyes at him once she’s out of sight.
“Seriously?” I cross my arms.
Parker laughs, lifting his mug to his lips and taking a sip of what looks like plain, black coffee. Not what I would have guessed for him. “What can I say, the ladies love me.”
“Yeah, because you’re Wyoming’s biggest flirt.”
“I can’t help if I’ve got a flirty personality, Katie.
It’s like I always say, women value humor first, looks second.
Which works out really well for me since I’m not much to look at.
” I roll my eyes for the second time in five minutes.
He definitely has humor and looks going for him, but for some reason, I get the feeling he’ll argue with me if I try to tell him that.
“So why are you still single, you clearly have plenty of options,” I ask, taking another sip of my coffee. I got mine in a to-go cup just in case, but now I’m a little jealous of Parker’s mug. I make a mental note to get that next time.
“None of the options I want.” He sighs, looking down at his cup as if it’s going to give him the answer.
“I’m not a casual dater, and it seems like that’s all anyone wants these days.
One or two nights and then move on to something more exciting.
Flirting is one thing, but taking it any further is another. ”
I nod, trying to ignore the pit settling in my stomach. I know I shouldn’t feel guilty for being a casual dater like Parker says, but it’s hard not to sometimes. It’s better for the general population if someone like you isn’t in long term relationships anyway, I tell myself.
“What about you?” He asks.
I shrug, taking another sip of coffee. “I’m not the relationship type.
Kind of hard to be with parents like mine.
” He looks at me silently, urging me to continue.
I sigh and take a deep breath. “I’ve just never felt like I should be in a relationship, you know?
I’m more like my Aunt Millie. She’s been a strong, independent woman her whole life.
She doesn’t spend time crying over men, or worrying about what someone else thinks of her.
She just… thrives. I love that about her. ”
He nods, taking in everything I’ve said before responding.
I like that about Parker. He’s a thinker like Hazel, not hotheaded and quick to a comeback like me.
“I think you could be in a relationship some day. I think you’d be great at it, you just don’t know it quite yet.
Or you could be completely a completely independent badass like you are now.
But, I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
I’ve got a feeling you’re going to be okay. We both are.”
Suddenly, I have the urge to rub my chest right over my heart. Who knew Parker of all people could pull emotions out of me so easily? “Thanks, Parker,” I say.
“And if you’re not married by the time you’re 40, I’ll marry you,” he shrugs, taking another sip from his mug, casual as can be.
“Fine, but if you’re going to make a marriage pact with me, you’d better mean it. I take these things very seriously,” I say.
Parker’s eyes shine with glee. He holds a hand out for me to shake, “It’s a deal.”
“Deal,” I shake his hand, laughing at his determination.
“Only fifteen years until our wedding, we’d better book a venue now,” he says.
“They do book up pretty far in advance. Should we send out save the dates?”
“I don’t see why not.”
“Me either. I’m sure it won’t be awkward for all of your future girlfriends to see your wedding invite hanging on your fridge.”
Parker leans back in his stool, against the metal bars shaped like a lasso. “Obviously they’ll have to be okay with it, the pact comes first.”
“Obviously,” I laugh. It feels great to laugh with a friend in a coffee shop. I hadn’t realized how much I missed Hazel and our outings.
“Well, Katie,” Parker stands from his seat, placing his hat back on his head and extending his arm. “Shall we go buy rings?”
I tuck my hand into the crook of his elbow as we walk out into the morning sun. “Actually, I was thinking tattoos of each other’s names on our ring fingers instead.”
Parker’s head tips back as he laughs into the morning air.
“I had to park a million miles away. It was a lot busier on the street earlier, I swear,” I say to Parker as we get closer to his truck just down the street from the coffee shop.
He slung his arm around my shoulders when we started walking, and left it there.
It reminds me of what my friend back in Juniper Ridge, Wade, used to do when we were young, since he was so much taller than me.
“Do you want a ride to your car?” Parker offers.
“Sure, that’d be great.”
We round the corner of the brick building and almost run into someone. Parker pulls me closer with the arm that’s around my shoulders, mumbling a quick sorry before we both recognize the someone.
We are standing face to face with Miles.
Angry Miles. My least favorite version.
“Hey man, good to see ya,” Parker immediately lights up at the sight of his best friend, but still doesn’t step away from me. Miles’s eyes settle right on his arm that’s around me for a beat too long. Then, as if remembering himself, he clears his throat.
“What are you two doing here?” Miles’s voice comes out a little shaky, as if it’s the first time he’s said anything today.
“Just a morning coffee date,” Parker replies. Either he’s not picking up on the vibe Miles is sending out, or he’s purposely ignoring it. “I didn’t know you were gonna be in town, you could have come with us.”
“Off day,” Miles grumbles. “Gotta go to the bank.”
“Right on. Well, we won’t keep you. Come on fiancee,” Parker says, finally taking his arm off of my shoulders only to grab my hand instead, pulling me towards his truck.
Miles spins around on a dime after we walk past him. “What?” He spits out.
“Have fun at the bank, Autry,” I wink at him. His nostrils flare as he opens his mouth to say something else, but Parker is already opening my door and I’m hopping into his truck like we do this every day.
Parker slides into the driver’s seat still laughing. “That was fun. Do you think he’s gonna pop a blood vessel?”
I smack him on the arm. “You’re evil. Isn’t he supposed to be your best friend?”
Parker shrugs, pulling his truck onto the road. “Sometimes people need a little push to know what’s good for them, Katie. Plus, I might be his closest friend, but I’ll never be his peace. Gotta keep him on his toes.”
“Next time we should kiss a little, really sell it.” I can just imagine his face.
“Now you’re thinking,” Parker smirks as we drive away, Miles shrinking in the rear view mirror, still standing in the same spot we left him in.