Page 107 of Someday You Learn

What kind of man doesn’t support his own daughter? What kind of man chastises her so much in her life and pushes her to do what he wants so much thatshefeels the need to lie to him about something she’s been working toward and dreaming about for years?

I refuse to let him treat her like this anymore, and if that means that I have to sacrifice what I’ve been working toward, then so be it.

“You would risk the practice for my daughter?”

“In a heartbeat,” I say as clarity takes hold in my chest.

Cashlynn is mine to protect now, mine to cherish, mine tolove. And in that moment, it hits me—I’m in love with her. I never stood a chance from the moment her amber eyes met mine.

You could tell Robert right now why Cashlynn is really here though, Parker—how everything she did was because of him, and hopefully that might get him to admit what he’s hiding and see what an ass he is.

But I won’t betray her. The foundation of our relationship has been built on lies. She deserves honesty and trust.

When the truth comes out, it will be a mutual decision like we’ve discussed. I want that kind of relationship, the one Dr. Jensen described—one where we fight for what we have, not against each other. That’s the fresh start I want.

“You can leave my office now, son.”

I take a step back, but keep my eyes locked on his. “If you’re not careful, you’re going to push her away for good, Robert. And if that happens, you’ll have to get through me the next time you want to talk to her.”

Spinning on my heel, I leave his office and stride down the hallway, so much energy running through me that I feel like I could run a fucking marathon right now.

But when I get to my office, I see Seth sitting at my desk, waiting for me with a slimy smirk on his face.

This douche is the last fucking person I want to see right now.

“Get the hell out of my chair,” I snap.

He shakes his head at me. “Now, now…that’s no way to speak to me, Dr. Sheppard.”

“You’re in my fucking office, so you’re the one who should be watching how you speak to me.”

He stands from my chair slowly, straightening his lab coat as he makes his way around my desk. I circle my desk from the other side, choosing to remain standing in case I feel the need to leap over this thing and beat his ass to a pulp.

“Sounds like you’reactuallyin love,” Seth says, confusing me with his choice of topic. But the last person I’m going to talk to about that is Seth Brown.

“What’s your point, Seth? Need tips on how to get a woman to like you? Newsflash—even a professional wouldn’t be able to help.”

“I just don’t see it. Parker Sheppard in love with Cashlynn O’Neil.”

“I’m engaged to her, aren’t I?” I quip.

“That wasn’t an answer to my question.”

“You didn’t ask one.” We stay in a stare down for a few seconds before I huff out a laugh. “Look, I don’t owe you an explanation about my personal life, all right?”

“You’re right. You don’t. But the more I think about it, the more things don’t add up. it just doesn’t make sense thatyouwould date Robert’s daughter and never say a word to anyone. So I did a little digging…” My heart rate is borderline alarming right now, but I’m not going to freak out yet. “According to her former employer, she no longer works there. I asked around, and funny thing…nobody from her former job even knew she was dating anyone.”

This fucker.

“And then there’s you,” Seth continues. “I heard about your previous engagement and how tragically it ended. Anyone who’s been through something like that would surely be more cautious when it comes to marriage, don’t you think?”

I step up to him so we are face to face. “Choose your next words carefully, Seth.”

“Or what?”

I clear my throat. “Cashlynn and I are engaged. We are getting married. And the last person who should have anything to say about that is you.”

Seth’s smile grows. “You’d better watch yourself, Parker. This practice is mine, and I think I just found the key to making sure it works out that way. I can’t wait to see the look on Robert’s face when he finds out the truth.”

---