Page 36 of When We Dare

“Thank you,” she said softly. She was quiet for a moment as she finished getting another drink ready and slid the second trayover to me. Her gaze was perceptive as she held mine. “Maybe I don’t know all the details and you don’t have to tell me, but I’ll say this, no matter what your story is, if it feels right with someone, it’s worth the risk.”

I swallowed and took an unsteady breath. “You think?”

“I know it is,” she said firmly.

I ended up telling Janet my story, including my beyond-stupid choices in high school. I didn’t tell her the whole truth though. I left out that I was afraid I didn’t have it in me to be a partner to someone. I’d never witnessed a healthy relationship, so it felt foreign to me.

But maybe Janet was right, maybe it could be different for me.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

HUDSON

Later that day, I was hanging out with Parker after a workout. Because he was that kind of friend, I found myself thinking maybe I should ask his opinion.

“I’m curious about something,” I began.

“What’s that?”

“Do you ever imagine yourself getting serious with someone?”

“Well, if Beck has his way, I’ll fall in love and get married because marriage is the best thing ever,” Parker offered dryly.

I snorted. “True story. But, I’m serious. I’ve always kind of thought it wasn’t for me because my past is a little messy and I don’t have a single role model for a good relationship.”

Parker studied me. “I get it. We’re kind of in the same boat there. I don’t know. I know you’re a good man and a really good friend. You could also be a good boyfriend or husband, I guess.”

He fell quiet, but I sensed he wanted to say something else, so I prompted, “What is it?”

“My sister.”

“What about her?”

“We met. I haven’t talked about it because it’s pretty fresh. It’s kind of crazy because her mom and our dad reconnected.They got back together. If you can believe it.” He rolled his eyes. “They’re all happy about it. I like my sister. I think we could actually be decent siblings.”

“Wow.” I nodded slowly. “I’m happy for you. Where is she?”

“Turns out she lives here. She moved here a couple of months ago, a little bit before me.”

“You’re fucking kidding me.”

Parker shook his head. “Nope. She’s here.”

“I’m really happy for you.”

“Enough about me, tell me who you’re falling in love with,” Parker said bluntly with an exaggerated brow waggle.

It felt as if he kicked my heart over. “What the hell do you mean?”

“Maybe it’s been a minute since we hung out, but I know you pretty well. You’re asking me because you’re worried about your feelings for someone.”

I stared at him and let out a sigh. “I didn’t expect her. She, uh—” I cleared my throat. “So the place I live, it’s kind of a duplex. There’s a shared space between the two apartments. She lives in the upstairs apartment. Her name is Stella.”

Parker was lounging on the couch, completely relaxed. As soon as I said Stella’s name, he sat up abruptly, his feet landing flat on the floor. “Stella?”

“Yeah, what’s wrong?”

“Last name Lancaster?” he pressed.

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