Page 15 of Married to the Frenemy

HALEY

“Penny for your thoughts?” Parker asks, handing me a cup of coffee and lowering herself onto the bench beside me.

I tear my gaze away from Maggie as she runs around the playground in the kid’s area of Parker’s ranch.

While Maggie will never miss an opportunity to come here, she particularly loves it during winter when there are so many fun activities — from ice skating, to train rides on a makeshift Polar Express, to ornament making, and everything in between.

I take a sip of the robust coffee, relishing in its warmth. Then my eyes wander back to Maggie, and I watch her with a mixture of love and exhaustion.

“She’s so happy. Isn’t she?”

“The happiest. But that’s to be expected.” Parker nudges me. “She’s got a great mom.”

“I try to be, Parker. But it’s definitely not easy, especially lately. Don’t get me wrong,” I add quickly. “I’m grateful that you and Grandma Estelle are always willing to help with her whenever I need it.”

“Because we love that little girl. And you.”

“I know.” I exhale deeply, shaking my head. “But sometimes I feel so alone. Like no matter what I do, it’s not good enough.”

Parker wraps an arm around me and gives me a comforting squeeze. It’s moments like this that make me grateful for our friendship. I don’t know what I’d do without her. It’s a surprising thought, considering we barely knew each other a few years ago. I didn’t grow up in Sycamore Falls like Beckham and Parker did. My parents live in Lake Tahoe. The only reason I knew Beckham at all is because my nanny was good friends with his mother and would arrange play dates together.

Still, I fell in love with the small town feel here. When Maggie was born, there was only one place I wanted her to grow up. I wanted her to have the childhood I always wished I could have had. The childhood Beckham was lucky enough to have.

“I talked to him,” I announce after several protracted seconds.

Parker darts her eyes to mine, her brow furrowed. “Who?”

“Beckham. I asked about renting his townhouse.”

“What did he say?”

“What I expected him to. That his place is booked solid with all the snow bunnies coming here to ski. But then…”

“Yes?” Her gaze brims with anticipation.

I steal a glance at Maggie to make sure she’s not paying me any attention. Thankfully, she’s preoccupied with the other kids playing.

Leaning in even closer, I drop my voice. “He asked me to marry him.”

“He…what?” she shrieks.

I hush her, especially when several pairs of eyes look our way. Thankfully, most of the people are tourists with no interest in our conversation.

“Took me by surprise, too.”

“Aren’t people supposed to date before a proposal? At the very least, they have a hot and heavy one-night stand, then plan to never see each other again until those two little lines appear on a pregnancy test, at which point he proposes.” Her eyes widening, she sucks in a gasp. “Oh, my god. Did you sleep together? Are you pregnant?”

“Of course not!” I reply, hoping my face doesn’t betray me. “I haven’t slept with anyone since I learned I was pregnant with Maggie.”

“And you were giving me shit for not dating.” She rolls her eyes.

“It’s not that I don’t want to date. I just have other things to take into consideration now.”

“And yet you’re considering marrying Beckham Lawrence?” She arches a perfectly manicured eyebrow.

“No. Hell, I don’t know…” I push out a sigh.

“Why does he want to marry you?”

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