Page 28 of Someday You Learn

“I’m sorry,” I say, even though I feel like my point is valid. “Continue.”

He locks eyes with me again and says, “Rule number three. No bringing up that night.”

I swallow roughly. “Why?”

“Because if we’re going to do this, we need to keep it platonic. No kissing, no touching…”

“But we’re fake-engaged. Wouldn’t it be weird if we weren’t affectionate with each other?”

He closes his eyes, takes in a deep breath, and then opens them again. “Only when necessary, and only in front of other people, okay?”

Disappointment settles heavily in my chest, but I push it aside. I know he’s right—this has to be strictly business. But the effect he has on me makes it hard to accept. Today has been crazy, overwhelming, and a whirlwind. I’m not thinking straight, so at least someone is.

Parker’s right. I need to focus on my goals and not him and his body, and that scar above his eyebrow that I never asked him about, or why he wears glasses and not contacts, or…

“Cashlynn?” Parker says, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Yeah?”

“Did you hear me?”

“Yes.” I force a smile, but it probably comes off strained.

His eyebrows draw together. “Are you sure? You look like you zoned out there for a moment.”

“I’m sorry. It’s just…been a long day,” I say, stifling a yawn.

“Yeah, and a wild one.”

“It has, but I can’t thank you enough, Parker. Truly.”

He nods once. “Just don’t make me regret this, okay?”

“The only one who can control that is you.”

“Excuse me?”

I trace small circles on the table, thinking back to my last memory of my mother. “Regret is a choice, Parker.Youchoose whether you live with it or not.”

He studies me for a moment. “Is that what this is about for you? Not living with regrets?”

“Yes.” I look him straight in the eyes. “The last thing I want in my life is to look back and wonder ‘what if’. My mother lived by that, and it’s one of the few things I still remember about her.”

His face softens. “Your dad never talks about her.”

I let out a short, humorless laugh. “Yeah, that sounds about right.”

Hestudies me again, his look intense. “I feel like I know you, but that you’re a complete stranger at the same time. It’s fucking weird.”

I chuckle. “I feel the same way. Maybe over the next four months, we can actually get to know each other…”

Something flickers across Parker’s face, but it’s gone before I can fully register it. His gaze leaves mine as he says, “I just want you to do what you need to do, Cashlynn, so I can move on with my life, all right?”

I swallow, a dull ache settling in my chest, and force my voice to stay steady. “And what exactly are you moving on to?”

I can’t figure this man out. He’s so hot and cold from one second to the next. He’s hiding something, or there’s something that I’m missing. Maybe living with him will give me the chance to discover more of the real Parker Sheppard, not just the man he portrayed to me a year ago.

Standing, he drains the rest of his drink and sets the glass down. “Text me tomorrow and we can make arrangements for you to bring your stuff over.”

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