Page 39 of Rowdy St. Nick

"Oh my God, these ribs are divine," coos Julia, fanning herself with a napkin. "What's the secret, Tess?"

"Love, and a dash of reckless abandon," I answer, winking, making Julia blush and laugh.

"Plus, enough hot sauce to make a grown man cry," adds Parker, sliding in beside me with a smirk and a tray of grilled delights. He's the picture of ease, but his hand finds the small of my back.

"Speaking of hot," Levi teases, nudging Parker, "Who knew you had such a... spicy side?"

"Let's just say Tess has an eye for hidden potential," Parker retorts smoothly, and we exchange a glance that holds promises only we understand.

As the night wears on, my feet are beginning to protest the hours of mingling, and there's a part of me yearning for a moment of stillness.

"Steal away with me?" I murmur to Parker, nodding toward the porch. His answering smile is all the reply I need.

The night air is a relief as we lean against the railing, side by side, our fingers intertwining.

"Thank you," I breathe out, resting my head on Parker's shoulder. "For rolling with the punches tonight. For everything."

"Pixie, I reckon it's me who should be thanking you," he says with a quiet voice.

"For what?" I ask, tilting my face up to meet his gaze.

"For teaching me that sometimes... letting go is the only way to hold on to what really matters." Parker's thumb brushes against mine.

Heat pools low in my belly, desire threading through his words. Our laughter fades, leaving something raw and real in its place.

"Let's not keep them waiting too long," Parker says, but his reluctance mirrors my own.

"Five more minutes," I insist, my voice barely above a whisper. "Just five more under the stars."

"Five minutes," he agrees, pulling me closer. "Never thought we'd get here, did you?"

I shake my head, leaning back into his embrace. "Nope, not really." The words are thick with emotion, the journey flashingbefore my eyes—every bump and detour that led us to this moment.

“It sure has been a wild ride.”

"Wild doesn't begin to cover it." I tease, squeezing his hand.

"Pixie, you ran the wild right out of me." He chuckles, and I feel the vibration through his chest.

"Or maybe I just showed you how to run with it, Rowdy," I counter, turning to catch his eye. The look he gives me is so caring and tender.

"Run, fly, crash—it doesn't matter. As long as I'm with you." His lips brush against my temple, and I know that no matter what our future holds, it will always be an adventure with this man.

Epilogue

Parker

I squint at the sun, feeling its warmth kiss my face like Tess did this morning when she caught me trying to sneak out of bed. It's been two years since she waltzed into my world, and boy, have things changed. I never figured myself for the kind of man who'd get all twisted up over someone, but here I am, planning surprise picnics and learning words like "ambiance" just to see her smile.

"Come on, Parker!" Tess calls out as we sit around Heartville's fishing hole with our friends.

"Y'all gonna fish or just sit there and tan?" I tease, casting a line into the water. Tess grins and comes up beside me, her hip brushing against mine in a way that sends heat straight through me. Her fingers lightly touch my arm, and I'm reminded justhow good those hands feel when they're not holding a fishing rod.

"Maybe a bit of both," she shoots back, her lips quirking up in a playful challenge. Around us, the group settles in. Clay's over there, fussing with his tackle box as Romi teases him about being out-fished by a city girl last time we were here. Levi's sharing some story about Beck that's got everyone chuckling.

"Ya know, this place isn’t half bad It's got charm," Tess says, eyes roaming over the lush greenery, the wildflowers dotting the banks, and the shimmering water reflecting the clear blue sky.

"Charm, huh? Is that what you call it?" I ask, raising an eyebrow and watching a slight blush creep across her cheeks.

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