Chapter Twenty-Nine
Audrey
“T hose beads were from you, weren’t they?” Amiya asks as we carry empty cake plates to the kitchen.
“Yeah. Inside joke,” I admit.
She sets the plates in the sink and waggles her eyebrows. “Joke or not, I hope you’re going to let him play with those tonight.”
I laugh. “God, no.”
She frowns. “Well, you’re no fun. It would have been the icing on his birthday cake.”
“What are we talking about?” Eden asks as she waddles in with more dirty dishes.
“Audrey teasing Parker,” Amiya says.
“The s’mores?” she guesses.
“S’mores?” Amiya questions.
“Yeah, with all the chocolate and the licking,” Eden explains.
Amiya raises an eyebrow at me. “Are you sure about that no playing?”
“Okay, so maybe we were teasing each other a bit. It was just …” I can’t find the right words to describe it.
Amiya leans her elbows on the island and studies me. “I don’t get it. You’re attracted to him, and he’s obviously really into you. You’re both consenting adults. What’s holding you back? And don’t give me that ghosted bullshit again,” she asks.
“It’s a long story,” I say.
“They always are, darling,” she says with a smirk. “Look, I don’t know what kind of teenager Parker was. I know what kind I was—immature, selfish, and even a bit foolish—just fumbling through life and trying to figure it all out. However, I do know what kind of man Parker is. He is a good man. He is loyal, responsible, strong, and kind—not at all foolish. A man who knows who he is, what he wants, and from where I’m standing, all he wants is you.”
“For the next month,” I mutter.
“Huh?”
I shake my head. “Enough about me and Parker. How about you let me help you with this mess?”
She stands. “No, Lennon and I can do this later.”
“Amiya, I swear, if you don’t allow me to help, I’ll never come to another one of your parties.”
She lets out an exaggerated huff. “Fine, if you insist.”
We spend the next forty-five minutes scraping plates and loading the dishwasher while the guys return to the beach to remove debris, gather the oyster shells, and fill in the holes left by the fire and roasting station.
After everything is settled, everyone gathers in the living room, where Lennon has the enormous television tuned to a football game. Wade, Eden, and Dillon decide to call it a night because her feet are beginning to swell.
“I’ll be at your place around nine to check on the crew’s progress,” Wade tells Parker before he and his family say their goodbyes and leave.
“What’s he checking on?” I ask.
“I’m remodeling the bathrooms in the condo,” Parker says.
“I thought that was a rental.”
“It was. I purchased it from my aunt and uncle and closed on it last week.”
“Really? You’re a homeowner? Be careful; someone might mistake you for an adult,” I tease.
He shifts over to the spot Eden just vacated, sitting next to me on the sofa. “I’m trying to be,” he replies.
“I can see that,” I murmur. “Congratulations on the condo, by the way.”
He rests his head on my shoulder, and I run my fingers through his silky hair as we watch the game. It’s familiar, it’s comfortable, and it’s terrifying.
“You guys are welcome to stay the night. Fresh linens are on the bed in the guest room upstairs to the right, and there are towels in the closet in the bathroom,” I hear Amiya whisper through the fog of sleep I’m in.
“Thanks,” Parker replies quietly.
“See you all in the morning,” Lennon adds.
I blink my eyes open, and the living room is dark, except for the glow from the television, which casts a low light. I’m curled up against Parker, wrapped in a blanket, and his hand is mindlessly caressing my side as he watches the movie.
He feels me stir and looks down at me.
“Hey,” I say, my voice hoarse from sleep.
“Hey, you,” he whispers back.
“What time is it?” I ask.
He reaches for his phone in his pocket. “It’s a little past two in the morning.”
I sit up and glance around the room. “Where did everyone go?”
“Sebastian and Avie left about an hour ago. Anson just went to pick up a friend from Whiskey Joe’s,” he replies.
I groan. “It’s not Heather, is it?”
He chuckles softly. “No, I think he’s scared of Heather. It’s someone else.”
“Good. I’m afraid they’d kill each other,” I say. “I should probably go.”
His arm around me tightens. “You’re exhausted, and you’ve been drinking. Amiya said we could crash here.”
“I didn’t drink that much, and it was hours ago. And I don’t want to impose,” I say.
“Well, I do. We’re down to one bathroom, which means I have to share mine with Anson and his guest. The last thing I want to wake up to is his naked ass in the middle of the night. Besides, it’s not imposing when it’s friends.”
I make a disgusted face.
“Exactly. You see my dilemma,” he says, tapping my nose. “Now, curl back up and watch this movie with me, okay?”
I want to argue, but my limbs feel heavy, and his body is so warm. I let him pull me in closer, and I lay my head against his chest.
The next thing I know, I’m in his arms, and he’s carrying me upstairs. He sets me down on a chair beside the bed, removes my boots, and then pulls back the comforter.
“Climb in, baby,” he commands.
I don’t argue; I crawl into the soft, warm bed. He kicks off his shoes, shrugs out of his hoodie, and tosses his jeans into the chair. He turns off the light and settles in beside me. His arms wrap around my waist, pulling me onto his chest.
He kisses the top of my head and whispers, “Sweet dreams.”