Page 38 of Someday You Learn

“And why’s that?” I ask.

“Because clearly, she’s broken down your walls if you’re bringing her here.” My mother shoots me a glare and then smiles back at Cashlynn.

Cashlynn darts her eyes to mine, and then smiles back at my mom. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Sheppard.”

“Please call me Katherine.” My mom pulls her inside a little too eagerly, and I follow them. My entire family is all gathered, staring in our direction as my mother announces our arrival. “Everyone, this is Cashlynn.”

“We know, Mom. We’ve already met Parker’s fiancée,” Dallas replies, and all the women in the room spin their heads to look at me.

“Fiancée?” they echo simultaneously, Hazel’s voice the loudest, of course.

My mom studies me. “Wait. You’re—you’re engaged?”

I stiffen under their scrutiny, but Cashlynn steps closer, looping her arm through mine and squeezing lightly. And thank God she does—because having everyone’s eyes on me is making me feel like I’m on stage at a talent show butt-ass naked.

“We are. I’m sorry you had to find out this way, Katherine, but Parker and I met a year ago, and I just recently moved to Carrington Cove so we could be together. My dad is actually Parker’s boss.”

Hazel’s eyes bug out. “You’re Dr. O’Neil’s daughter?”

“Yep.”

Dallas walks over to us and clasps my shoulder, leaning in to whisper, “Better to get that detail out of the way now.” Then, he addresses everyone. “Is anyone else hungry? I have a very hungry pregnant wife, so how about we make our way to the table?”

Willow nods and rubs her belly. “I could eat a freaking elephant right now.” Then she looks at Cashlynn and smiles. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Cashlynn smiles in return. “Likewise.”

Everyone moves to the dining room, taking their seats at the table and introducing themselves to Cashlynn as we settle in. The kids have their own table off to the side, where Bentley and Lilly, Astrid and Penn’s children, sit with Chase, Scottie’s teenage son. And even though Chase barely fits in the chairs at the small table, he plays along since Lilly loves having him near.

My sister and mom finish the final touches on the food, and soon we’re all digging in, filling our plates with homemade lasagna, salad, and garlic bread.

“So, I think I speak for everyone when I ask, how the hell did this happen?” Hazel says as the clinking of silverware dies down around us.

“It’s a long story,” I reply, growing irritated. I knew this was coming, but now that it’s here, I feel completely unprepared.

“We’ve got all night, Parker,” Hazel counters with a smirk.

Grady, Penn, and Dallas all laugh under their breath, clearly enjoying my discomfort.

Fuckers.

“Parker comforted me on a flight over a year ago,” Cashlynn jumps in smoothly, saving me from launching across the table. “I’m terrified of flying and he made sure I was okay the entire time.”

My mother reaches for my hand and squeezes. “That sounds like my Parker.”

Cashlynn smiles. “And that night we had dinner and really connected, so we kept in touch. It wasn’t until later we realized he worked for my father, but by then, we already had feelings for each other, so we kept it between us while we navigated our relationship. We were tired of being apart, and when my father fell last week, I took it as a sign it was time to move here permanently.”

“I heard about Dr. O’Neil,” Astrid says. “A few customers were talking about it in the bakery. Is he okay?”

My sister-in-law’s bakery, Smells Like Sugar, has the best fucking desserts and pastries in Carrington Cove. Willow practically had a panic attack when they ran out of blueberry muffins one day.

“Luckily, he didn’t break anything. But it was a wake-up call that I need to be here as he gets older.” Cashlynn reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “And Parker being here made it feel like this was all meant to be.”

Man, she’s laying it on thick.

“So you’re engaged now?” Hazel presses.

“That’s what we said, isn’t it?” I reply, giving her a warning look not to question it further.

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