Page 34 of When We Dare

“Parker! Of course, I wouldn’t think that,” I protested.

He shrugged. “Some people do.”

I studied him for a few beats. “Did you think you’d tell me this and I’d pretend like I don’t want to be your sister?”

“I didn’t know.” His gaze was earnest and serious. “Once I knew you existed, I promised myself I’d let you know the truth from the beginning so you didn’t think I was hiding it.”

My chest felt tight, and I breathed slowly through it. “I’m really glad you reached out.”

His smile was slow. “I can be your big brother now.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m pretty used to handling things myself.”

“I mean, if you need me to kick somebody’s ass, or threaten to,” he corrected quickly.

I burst out laughing at that. “I guess I appreciate that.”

“I haven’t even told my dad I found you yet.”

“My mom told him. She kind of can’t help herself. She’s all excited about us being a family now,” I said dryly.

“It seems like they’re both in better places than they were when they were younger. It’s a goddamn miracle my dad isn’t up to his old shenanigans and is actually making a living legally.”

Parker’s voice held a hint of disbelief, and I couldn’t help but laugh again. “Although my mom hasn’t lived a life of crime, she squeaked by. She sounded pretty happy to hear your dad’s doing better. She says they want to come visit us.”

“How do you want to handle that?” he asked.

I leaned forward as I waggled my brows. “We’ll deal with it when it comes. Meanwhile, let’s try to grab coffee at least every other week or so. My schedule’s a little crazy these days because I’m studying for the bar, but I want us to, well, be siblings.”

Parker’s eyes were bright as he smiled. There was anearnestness to him that I liked.

A few minutes later, we walked out and, impulsively, I gave him a hug. It just felt right. “I’ll see you soon,” I said when we stepped apart.

“Absolutely,” he said.

When I drove away a few minutes later, all the anxiety I’d been feeling around this had dissipated. I felt surprisingly good. Parker was a genuinely nice guy. I contemplated calling my mom, but I wasn’t ready for her to freak out over my feelings on this because that’s what she would do. I decided to give it a few days before I updated her. It felt serendipitous that Parker ended up in Willow Brook.

A few weeks passed, and Parker and I settled into a comfortable pattern. We got together for lunch or coffee about once a week.I finally told my mom that we’d met and I felt good about it. She was excitedly planning a trip with our dad. I didn’t even know what to think about their rekindled romance. She declared it to be “fate” and was thrilled.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

STELLA

Aside from everything else happening in my life, there was Hudson. I was trying to keep him in a compartment in my mind and heart, but it was a challenge.

Every night, I went home.To Hudson. I was tumbling deeper and deeper into the heat of our connection. I tried to convince myself it was just chemistry. Every time, my heart chirped up and pointed out the obvious.You’re falling in love with him.

For reasons I didn’t completely understand, we didn’t talk to each other much beyond the superficial. And yet, I found myself wanting to confide in him, to tell him about Parker. Realistically speaking, he likely knew Parker. They were both firefighters. That made me more reticent about it. It felt as if I could keep my personal details at a distance, then I wouldn’t fall in love.

That alone should’ve prepared me for just how messy things could get.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

HUDSON

While I was valiantly trying to keep my emotions at bay, I knew I was treading in risky waters. Every single night, my need for Stella pounded like a drum in my body, the crescendo getting louder and louder by the night. I couldn’t wait to get home.To Stella.

And yet, I knew it was a problem. I thought about her whenever there was a spare moment. The idea of not falling asleep with her curled up against my side, or me spooning her from behind, was something I didn’t even like thinking about.

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