Page 24 of Someday You Learn

That makes his eyes lift, at least. “Forgive me for skipping pleasantries, Cashlynn, but you can’t imagine what my mind is like right now.”

Sighing, I slide my purse off my shoulder and place it on the seat beside me before reaching for the glass of water that I’m assuming is for me. I take a sip and then draw in a deep breath. “You’re right. I owe you an explanation.”

“You think?” His jaw flexes as he leans back, crossing his arms, and I’m suddenly hit with the memory of that night—of the way he looked when he pressed me against the wall, his eyes dark with need.

God, that night feels like a lifetime ago.

“Your name,” he says coolly. “Let’s start there.”

“My name is Cashlynn O’Neil, but my father calls me June Bug. Always has.”

“And why’s that?”

I debate how much he needs to know, but at this point, what do I have to lose? “My parents were obsessed with Johnny Cash and June Carter. Dad wanted to name me June, but my mom came up with Cashlynn, so he went along with it but insisted my middle name be June. He’s called me June Bug for as long as I can remember.” I shrug.

Parker shakes his head. “You never told me your last name that night.”

My entire body breaks out in goosebumps from the memory, along with a twinge of regret. “I know.”

“Why?”

I sigh, holding his gaze. “Because I thought you’d figureit out.”

He narrows his eyes. “That you were Robert’s daughter?” I nod, waiting for his brain to catch up. When it does, his eyes widen and he leans in, eyes narrowing. “You knew who I was?”

I lower my eyes to the table and nod. “Yeah. As soon as you mentioned you were from Carrington Cove, I put two and two together. My dad talks about you all the time. That’s when I realized I couldn’t tell you who I was.”

He leans his head to the side. “Why?”

A heavy sigh leaves my lips as I shrug again, but I don’t break eye contact. “Honestly? I’m not sure. Maybe I was scared you’d treat me differently. Maybe I figured you already had preconceived notions about me from things my father has said. Or…maybe I just wanted a moment where I wasn’t Robert O’Neil’s daughter and there wasn’t this pressure on me to be the person he expects me to be. The person I’ve become accustomed to portraying.”

His face softens a bit, and suddenly I feel extremely naked. When I was actually naked with this man, I didn’t stumble at all. He made me feel wanted, alive, like I could be myself and he didn’t judge me at all for it.

And the sex. Fuck, it was so intense, so hot, so effortless, and just what I needed. He justsawme. That night, I got to just beme,and I can’t remember the last time I felt that free.

Honestly, I’m not even sure who I am anymore, but that’s what I’m trying to figure out.

“I can understand that,” he says, startling me out of my thoughts.

“Really?”

Parker blows out a breath, gaze still narrowed on me. “Let’s just say I understand feeling the need to be who everyone wants you to be, and when you aren’t, they treat you differently.”

“Exactly.”

Butthen he shakes his head, and I brace myself, watching as the warmth drains from his face. “That said, I can’t be your fiancé, Cashlynn.”

I try not to let my disappointment show. This isn’t his problem to figure out. “Why not?”

“Because I’m not the marrying kind.”

That surprises me. “That’s cryptic. Forgive me, but the man I met on the plane was thoughtful, genuine, helpful, and comforted me when I was freaking out…all qualities that any woman would be lucky to find in a husband.”

He scoffs. “Yeah, well, not everyone is destined for marriage.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “So that was all an act on the plane?”

Our eyes lock. “Not at all.”

---