Page 33 of The Proximity Factor

She scooted closer, popping a cherry tomato in her mouth from what the partygoers had left of the charcuterie board. While she chewed, her eyes bored into mine like she was trying to reach into my brain.

I stepped back, a little afraid of what she might see. I knew what she meant. But I was doing my best not to go there—there meaning Parker. It had been quite a week, to say the least.

Once Val swallowed, she noted the distance I’d placed between us and impishly smiled. “You know exactly what I mean. First you bring him to the Goldenville Fourth of July parade on Thursday and now you two are hosting a game night like some cutesy couple.”

“First of all, we are not some cutesy couple. Mama made me bring him to the parade. He didn’t want to go, but Mama has scared him something good.” I wasn’t exactly sure what she’d done to him, but ever since Sunday dinner, if Mama said, “Jump,” he said, “How high?” I think he kind of resented it, though, and he wouldn’t tell me what Mama said to him that day. “Secondly, I wanted you to meet Anna and Brynn, and since you had a rare Saturday night off, I thought it was good timing.”

“Maybe I’ll give you the second one, but why did you stay for the fireworks?”

“Because he said he hadn’t been to a fireworks show in years, and you know Goldenville puts on the best fireworks display in Georgia. It would have been silly to miss it. Besides, Mama said she would bring potato salad and fried chicken if we stayed. Parker is addicted to her potato salad.”

“Uh-huh.” Val wasn’t buying a word of it. “You two looked awfully cozy on that checkered blanket, whispering to each other while bursts of color filled the night sky.”

“We weren’t whispering to each other. It’s hard to hear over the fireworks, as you well know. I had to get close so he could hear me.” And maybe because I liked being there with him. A lot. I was still in denial.

“You just have an excuse for everything, don’t you?” She gave me an evil grin.

“These aren’t excuses. They’re the truth.” Mostly. Admittedly, this week had been weird. A good weird. Parker and I were eating meals together and running together in the morning before the heat became too sweltering. He was even doing Wordle with his sister and me. I called him the Wordle Warlock, since he was even better at it than his sister, which really irked her. Their sibling rivalry was cute. Did I like it when he ran shirtless? Or when we cooked and did dishes together while we talked about everything from current events to how hard it was for Parker to grow up without a dad in his life? Or when we ate raw cookie dough while watching The Fellowship of the Ring? Yes. Yes, I did. Parker knew so much about Tolkien’s world, including Elvish lore and all the intricacies that never interested me before. But when Parker talked so passionately about them, it enthralled me. It didn’t hurt that Aragorn was a complete hottie. Or who could forget Legolas? Orlando Bloom, be still my heart.

I liked it even more when Parker would watch an episode of Gilmore Girls with me and pretend he had no idea who Lorelai and Luke were. He so wanted them to get together. He could deny it all he wanted.

“If you say so.” Val turned back to the charcuterie board. “But all I know is something is different about you.”

“Like what?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know how to explain it. You’re a happy person. But this is different. Maybe content is the right word. Whatever it is, it looks good on you. I’m just glad it appears I won’t be bawling my eyes out for you on Dateline.”

“Me too.”

“You know the town is talking about you two, right?”

“I would expect nothing less.” I’d seen all the looks and heard the whispers on the Fourth. It didn’t bother me. It was better than them talking about Greg and me. Thankfully, that story was becoming old news, although there was still some intrigue around Meribeth, the ex-fiancée. Word has it, she lied about her wealthy family and where she’d graduated from college. That’s what sent Greg over the edge. He realized he was the one who wasn’t so smart after all. The practice had since fired Meribeth, and she was also moving out of town.

It was still no excuse for what Greg did. But it’s funny how things work out sometimes.

“You know, you could tell me if something is going on between you and Parker,” she said quietly, so the guys wouldn’t overhear her.

“I know that. And I would.” I wrapped my arms around her and gave her a big squeeze, holding on just a little longer than usual, trying to make sense of my feelings for Parker. More like trying to convince myself they were only friendly feelings. I was so afraid I was falling into another Greg trap—an older, attractive, intelligent man. Apparently, I had a type. I’d learned my lesson. Or had I?

Val squeezed me back. “It’s getting late. We should probably get going. Thanks for the fun night. I hate to admit it, but I like Parker and his friends. Especially Anna and Brynn.”

“They’re great. I mean, not as good as you, but you know.”

“Oh, I know.” She laughed and let me go. “You can never replace me. I know too many of your secrets.”

That was true. “Just remember, I know yours too.” I winked. Let’s just say we each had a lot of spring break regret in our past and leave it at that.

“What happens in Fort Lauderdale stays in Fort Lauderdale.”

“Amen, sister.”

“Daniel,” Val called out. “It’s time to go, babe.”

Val and I walked out to the living room to find Daniel and Parker chumming it up in deep discussion.

Daniel looked up and immediately locked eyes with his bride. He gave her the same goofy grin he had on their wedding day. The man was smitten. “Hey, Valeria,” he said her name with such tenderness. “You ready to go?” Daniel may not have been the Liam Hemsworth lookalike Val had been hoping for, but his adoration and devotion won Val over despite his being on the quiet side and his untamed dirty-blond hair.

“I have to be at the restaurant early in the morning for the brunch crowd,” Val responded.

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