Chapter six #4
Cashlynn smiles. “And that night we had dinner and really connected, so we kept in touch. It wasn’t until later we realized he worked for my father, but by then, we already had feelings for each other, so we kept it between us while we navigated our relationship.
We were tired of being apart, and when my father fell last week, I took it as a sign it was time to move here permanently. ”
“I heard about Dr. O’Neil,” Astrid says. “A few customers were talking about it in the bakery. Is he okay?”
My sister-in-law’s bakery, Smells Like Sugar, has the best fucking desserts and pastries in Carrington Cove. Willow practically had a panic attack when they ran out of blueberry muffins one day.
“Luckily, he didn’t break anything. But it was a wake-up call that I need to be here as he gets older.” Cashlynn reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “And Parker being here made it feel like this was all meant to be.”
Man, she’s laying it on thick.
“So you’re engaged now?” Hazel presses.
“That’s what we said, isn’t it?” I reply, giving her a warning look not to question it further.
“Then where’s your ring?” she asks smugly, pleased with herself and reminding me more and more of slimy Seth the longer we sit here.
“I proposed on a whim. We’re picking one out this week,” I say casually, even though the one I have in my pocket will be on Cashlynn’s finger before the night’s over. “Anyway, how’s business, Penn?” I ask, trying to get the focus off of me and Cashlynn.
My brother wipes his mouth with his napkin. “Couldn’t be better.”
“What is it that you do?” Cashlynn asks.
“I’m a contractor. Mostly, I flip houses and turn them into rental properties.”
Cashlynn leans forward in her seat, eyes lighting up. “So you know your way around a hammer and some nails?”
Everyone around the table chuckles. “You could say that.”
“Then apparently, I’m marrying into the right family. I might just need your services soon.”
Penn nods. “I’m sure we could work something out. What do you need?”
“Well, I’m not exactly sure yet, but I have a business venture I’m pursuing. Once I find the right space, I’m sure I’m going to need some renovations.”
Willow pipes up. “A business venture? Do tell.”
“I was actually going to suggest you talk to Willow about your plans, babe,” I say to Cashlynn, reaching my arm around her shoulders and stroking her skin as if I do it all the time.
Babe? Where the hell did that come from?
My sister’s eyes dart to my hand and then back to me, a hint of intrigue on her face. I slowly drop my arm and return back to my plate.
Cashlynn turns to face me. “Really?”
“Yeah. She owns her own advertising business, so I’m sure she could give you some advice.”
Willow chimes in, “Let’s talk after dinner. I want to hear all about your plans.”
“I would love that, thank you.”
The rest of dinner is filled with updates on everyone’s lives, including making some last minute decisions for Dallas and Willow’s baby shower next month.
Once the plates are cleared, my mom stands up and claps her hands. “Who wants s’mores?”
The kids cheer, and then my mom turns to Cashlynn. “Would you mind helping me grab the supplies?”
“Of course,” Cashlynn says, rising from her chair.
Hazel hangs back with me to help clean up while everyone else heads outside to the deck, gathering around the propane fire pit. By the time my mom and Cashlynn join them with the graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate, the laughter is already in full swing.
I’m standing at the sink, washing the dishes as I stare out the window that overlooks the backyard, observing my family all smiling and laughing, looking perfectly content in their lives while mine feels like it’s unraveling, one lie at a time.
“So,” my sister says, breaking my thoughts, “are you ready to tell me what the hell is going on?”
I stare down at the dishes, scrubbing the same pot for another minute. “What do you mean?”
She places her hand on my shoulder. “Give me more credit please, Parker. You expect me to believe that you’re engaged to Dr. O’Neil’s daughter when none of us even knew you were seeing anyone?”
Damn. I should have known that Hazel wouldn’t buy it.
“We told you. It was long distance.”
Hazel huffs out a laugh. “You must think I’m stupid.”
I sigh, dropping the sponge into the water and turning to face my sister. “I don’t think you’re stupid. There’s just—”
“It’s fake, isn’t it?” she asks, cutting me off.
For a second, I debate trying to persuade her. But Hazel’s relentless, and honestly, I could use her advice. “Not all of it,” I admit, trying to gauge her reaction.
Her expression softens, concern replacing her earlier suspicion. “What’s going on, Parker?”
I spend the next few minutes filling her in on how everything between Cashlynn and me transpired. By the time I finish, she’s smiling at me like this is the best thing she’s heard in her entire life.
“Oh, Jesus. This is great.”
“Thanks for the support,” I say dryly.
Her face softens as I dry the last dish and place it back in the cupboard. “Sorry, but I actually think this might be good for you.”
“It’s not like that. Nothing is going to happen between me and Cashlynn. This is temporary, just long enough for both of us to get what we want.”
Hazel crosses her arms over her chest. “And what is it that you want?”
“The practice,” I say, reminding myself of my goal in all of this and not these lingering feelings for Cashlynn that seem to be growing with each day that we’re together. “Were you not listening?”
“So after this is all said and done, what happens? You two just go back to your lives like nothing changed?”
Honestly, I haven’t thought about that. What does happen once Dr. O’Neil knows the truth and Cashlynn has her business up and running?
“Yeah, I guess,” I say finally.
“She’s really gorgeous,” my sister says, raising a brow like she’s daring me to deny it.
“I know what you’re doing.”
Her hands fly up as though she’s innocent. “What?”
Shaking my head, I start to wipe down the counters. “You know a relationship isn’t an option for me, Hazel.”
“But you are attracted to her, aren’t you?”
“Of course I am. I slept with her, didn’t I?”
“Then why not see if there’s something else there?”
“I’m heading outside,” I snap, my teeth clenched. I need to get away from this conversation. I’m seconds from escaping out the backdoor when her voice stops me.
“Fine. But if you’re not willing to open yourself up again, Parker, you’re never going to find the Charlotte to your George.”
I whirl around and arch a brow at her. “A Bridgerton reference? Really?”
She flashes me a knowing smile. “You know the spinoff of their story was the best.”
I sigh and pull my sister in for a hug. “You drive me nuts, you know that?”
“Of course. But I also know I’m right.” She leans back and looks up at me. “Cashlynn might have started this charade, but maybe it was meant to be.”
I shake off her romantic notions as we make our way out back to join the rest of the family.
If there’s one thing I know about my sister, it’s that she has always rooted for love.
It’s partly why she captures pictures for a living—the hope that one day she’ll find someone to look at her the way her clients do on their wedding day or during a family photo session.
And there was once a time where I had that same optimism, but one woman showed me just how ugly love could really be.
As I walk toward the fire pit, I catch sight of Cashlynn throwing her head back in laughter, the glow of the flames dancing across her face as she talks with my brothers and their wives, eager to get to know them.
Fuck, she really is gorgeous—and funny, and smart. She’s sarcastic, witty, and makes my blood fucking boil.
But is this really her true self?
That’s the thing that’s eating at me. Because I’ve been burned before—by a woman who had demons she never let me see until it was too late.
I’m not sure I could survive another.