Page 40 of Someday You Learn

I sigh, dropping the sponge into the water and turning to face my sister. “I don’t think you’re stupid. There’s just—”

“It’s fake, isn’t it?” she asks, cutting me off.

For a second, I debate trying to persuade her. But Hazel’s relentless, and honestly, I could use her advice. “Not all of it,” I admit, trying to gauge her reaction.

Her expression softens, concern replacing her earlier suspicion. “What’s going on, Parker?”

I spend the next few minutes filling her in on how everything between Cashlynn and me transpired. By the time I finish, she’s smiling at me like this is the best thing she’s heard in her entire life.

“Oh, Jesus. This is great.”

“Thanks for the support,” I say dryly.

Her face softens as I dry the last dish and place it back in the cupboard. “Sorry, but I actually think this might be good for you.”

“It’s not like that. Nothing is going to happen between me and Cashlynn. This is temporary, just long enough for both of us to get what we want.”

Hazel crosses her arms over her chest. “And what is it that you want?”

“The practice,” I say, reminding myself of my goal in all of this and not these lingering feelings for Cashlynn that seem to be growing with each day that we’re together. “Were you not listening?”

“So after this is all said and done, what happens? You two just go back to your lives like nothing changed?”

Honestly, I haven’t thought about that. Whatdoeshappen once Dr. O’Neil knows the truth and Cashlynn has her business up and running?

“Yeah, I guess,” I say finally.

“She’s really gorgeous,” my sister says, raising a brow like she’s daring me to deny it.

“I know what you’re doing.”

Her hands fly up as though she’s innocent. “What?”

Shaking my head, I start to wipe down the counters. “You know a relationship isn’t an option for me, Hazel.”

“But you are attracted to her, aren’t you?”

“Of course I am. I slept with her, didn’t I?”

“Then why not see if there’s something else there?”

“I’m heading outside,” I snap, my teeth clenched. I need to get away from this conversation. I’m seconds from escaping out the backdoor when her voice stops me.

“Fine. But if you’re not willing to open yourself up again, Parker, you’re never going to find the Charlotte to your George.”

I whirl around and arch a brow at her. “ABridgertonreference? Really?”

She flashes me a knowing smile. “You know the spinoff of their story was the best.”

I sigh and pull my sister in for a hug. “You drive me nuts, you know that?”

“Of course. But I also know I’m right.” She leans back and looks up at me. “Cashlynn might have started this charade, butmaybeit was meant to be.”

I shake off her romantic notions as we make our way out back to join the rest of the family. If there’s one thing I know about my sister, it’s that she has always rooted for love. It’s partly why she captures pictures for a living—the hope that one day she’ll find someone to look at her the way her clients do on their wedding day or during a family photo session.

And there was once a time where I had that same optimism, but one woman showed me just how ugly love could really be.

As I walk toward the fire pit, I catch sight of Cashlynn throwing her head back in laughter, the glow of the flames dancing across her face as she talks with my brothers and their wives, eager to get to know them.

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