32. Dylan
32
DYLAN
T he rest of the week with Parker has felt like a fever dream. The last few dates of the tour went swimmingly, and now we’re spending a day in Boston, the last stop, before the official end of the tour. Everyone has been loving meeting Evelyn, and it’s going to be a little bittersweet walking away from this.
Parker, Evelyn, and I spent almost every single night together exploring new cities, trying new restaurants, and visiting the tourist traps. From days spent wandering around the Ben you’re whole on your own. I was forced to learn to love myself and enjoy my own company. It was not an easy feeling to sit with, and I’m not afraid to admit that I spent countless nights alone blasting sad music and crying in my childhood bedroom. Eventually, it got easier.
But now that I have Parker back in my life, I feel complete. Of course, I still love who I am down to my core, but with him in it, life feels more meaningful. Brighter. He’s a beautiful part of my life’s mosaic, but not the entire picture. His added pieces make the portrait more exquisite than I could’ve ever imagined.
“Dyl?” Parker’s voice jerks me back to the present–I really have reverted back to a middle schooler with a crush.
“Yeah?” I look over to him and notice that we’re stopped in front of Beacon Hill Books where Evelyn has her signing later tonight. My gaze must grow bemused because he snorts. Without offering any explanation, he pulls me into the store.
“I just need to do something really quick. Would you mind waiting here? It should only take a second.”
“Um, sure,” I reply. He hands me his coffee and leaves me standing in the front by myself. I take a moment to look around and find myself immediately at ease. We’ve seen our fair share of bookstores on this tour, but I think this one is my favorite.
It’s designed like a home, with mismatched floral furniture throughout the space, perfect for cozying up with a book. The pale green bookshelves, complete with elegant crown molding that looks antique, are built into the walls, stocked to the brim with colorful books of all genres. There’s even a working fireplace that is unfortunately not on because we’ve made it to late spring, and the sun is shining .
It makes me miss the colder months, and I can’t help but dream about how magical this place would be in the heart of winter, decked out for Christmas. I envision lit wreaths placed on the old windows, Christmas trees tucked into various corners, the fireplace adorned with garland that makes the store smell of fresh pine and citrus, and a layer of fresh snow falling outside.
Younger Dylan would’ve loved it. I still would. There’s something about the winter that makes my soul feel at peace.
I make a note to come back later this year.
As I’m meandering the bookshelves, practicing my best self-control (yes, I do deserve a trophy for this) because I don’t have any room in my suitcase, Parker walks up with a brown paper bag stuffed with tissue paper.
“Ready?”
I eye the bag suspiciously but keep my mouth shut. If he wanted to tell me what was inside, he would. However, as someone who’s extremely nosy, I’m dying to know. I take the high road, bite my tongue, and hand him his coffee.
“Yeah, let’s go.”
He opens the door for me, and we walk out into the cool air. The storm that kept me up all night has dissipated, and there’s a slight chill thanks to a small breeze. I close my eyes briefly, savoring the feeling of the wind tickling my skin.
As I’m soaking in the weather, I feel Parker’s fingers interlock with mine and tug me. When I open my eyes, he’s looking at me with a soft smile. I blindly follow him, unsure of where we’re going, but not caring because I would follow this man anywhere in life.
“Let’s take a walk.”
I nod and lean closer to him. He feels warm and sturdy next to me, and it takes everything in me not to rest my head on his shoulder as we go. As we walk in comfortable silence, he squeezes my hand, a small gesture that makes my heart flip. I let out a sigh of contentment and run my thumb up and down his in return. It’s these small moments that mean more to me than any grand gesture.
After what feels like only seconds–I blame the love fog I was in–we arrive at Fiedler Field. My confusion from the bookstore only grows, but I still can’t bring myself to ask what we’re doing or what he’s planning.
“I think this is the quietest I’ve ever seen you. I know you don’t like surprises, yet you’ve taken this exceptionally well for once. What’s going on in that pretty head of yours, Lucky?”
Parker gestures to a bench overlooking the Charles River. I take a seat, folding my hands in my lap and watching the small waves of the water, losing myself in my thoughts. He sits next to me, placing the mysterious shopping bag in between us.
“I’m just taking it all in. I think I’m still processing everything. I wake up every morning, and I have to remind myself that this is all real. I’m working the job I always dreamed of. I moved to the city that I’ve always envisioned for myself. And now you’re here with me. It doesn’t feel real.”
When I glance at him, he’s studying me with soft eyes. The gaze is so full of adoration that it sends my heart into a tizzy.
“Do I need to pinch you? Because I will. I’d be happy to do it naked, too, if that will help. I don’t mind,” he jests.
“You’re so stupid,” I mumble, but my lips hook up in the corners. My cheeks have never hurt more than they have this past week, and it’s a happiness that I hope stays with me for the rest of my life.
He nudges the bag close to me. “Open it.”
“It’s for me?”
“Of course it is. Did you think I just went to a bookstore for myself?”
I narrow my eyes and place my pointer finger and thumb on my chin in a musing manner. “That’s very true. For someone who works in publishing, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen you pick up a book.”
“You’re so full of shit. I read all the time, and you know it.” He lets out a gruff laugh, and it’s music to my ears.
“I know. I just really love any opportunity I get to make fun of you. It’s almost as fun as kissing you.”
“As long as that’s first.”
“Actually, there’s something else that trumps it, but we’re in public, and I don’t need you getting excited.” His eyes flare with excitement, and I pat his head like a puppy as I let out a small giggle. “Down, boy.”
Before we get too distracted, I grab the bag and place it on my lap. I gently take out the tissue paper until the present is easy to grasp. I pull it out to discover my favorite romance novel. It’s one that I’ve reread at least five times (okay, more like ten, but who’s counting) since college. I also already own a copy, and there’s no way he doesn’t already know this.
I look over at him with a lifted eyebrow. “What’s this?”
“Your favorite book,” he replies proudly.
“Well, yes, I know that. I love it, I really do. But I’ve had the same beat-up copy for the last eight years…” I trail off, trying not to sound unappreciative. It’s still a very thoughtful gesture.
He lets out a small laugh and runs an anxious hand through his hair.
“I didn’t forget, don’t worry. Flip through this one.”
Now, I’m more confused than ever. I flip to the front of the book to find a message written on the title page.
“Lucky, our story is still unfolding, just like the stories in your favorite books. Flip through to see a message I’ve hidden for you for our next chapter. ”
I feel my hands shake as I start leafing through the pages. “It may be harder to find, so take it slow. I promise it’s worth it.” His voice wavers, and it takes everything in me not to look up and comfort his nerves.
I continue to flip through the book until I hit the halfway mark, and I see two small words highlighted in blue. They’re so subtle that I almost miss them, but when I catch them, my palms grow sweaty, and I gasp. Be mine . I reread the words over and over, trying to process what they mean.
I know this scene like the back of my hand, and it’s one of my favorite moments throughout the entire book. It’s the grand gesture that you dream of having yourself. The one that makes real-life men seem that much more unappealing.
The fact that it’s highlighted sends butterflies fluttering in my stomach, and I find it suddenly hard to breathe. Does this mean what I think it means?
Before I can question him, Parker gently grabs the book and places it back between us. He takes my hands into his, and the boyish grin he’s wearing is infectious.
“I know you said you wanted to remain professional, and I promise to be when others are around. But I can’t wait any longer. I lost you once, and I’m not willing to do it again. I’ve loved every second of the past week and want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side, Lucky. Be my girlfriend.”
I bite my lip, trying to contain my excitement, but I fail, and a grin so large it overtakes all of my features breaks out on my face. My cheeks are spread so wide it feels like my face is going to split in two.
“This is the most thoughtful gesture anyone has ever done for me.”
“You deserve it.” We sit in silence as my brain seemingly forgets how to function. “So, no pressure, but is that a yes?” he asks after the quietness stretches for a little too long.
“Yes. One hundred percent yes. ”
He makes a show of acting relieved by placing a hand on his chest. “Thank god. You scared me there for a second.”
He stands, pulls me up, and picks me up in his arms so my feet are no longer touching the ground. He spins me around just like the romance novels I know and love. Except this love story is real life, and the man I’ve always dreamed of is standing in front of me.
He presses his lips to mine, and I no longer feel like I’m on this planet. The kiss is so slow and gentle that I feel like I’m floating up to the sky–and I never want to come back down.
Suddenly overcome with need, I bite his lip gently, which pulls a guttural growl from his throat. The sound only goads my desire more as I wrap my legs around his waist and grind my hips into his. I stand no chance of breaking the kiss to see the scene we’re causing, so I can only hope that the park is still relatively empty before we scare anyone away.
His hands slide down to my ass, and he gives it a squeeze, exploring my mouth with his tongue while he does so. Before we get too carried away, he pulls his lips away from mine, and the loss leaves me pouting. He sets me down, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.
“Why don’t we take this back to the hotel? I’m not done celebrating you yet, and the last thing we need is to get arrested for public indecency.”
The heat already gathered at my core grows hotter, and my face flushes red at the thought. I lick my lips and nod, letting him lead the way back to the hotel to ravage me in every way he knows how.