Page 42 of Someday You Learn

“Seven months,” she replies, smoothing her hand over her stomach again. “I’m due in the beginning of May, but most days I feel that if I get any bigger, this kid might fall out of my vagina before then.” We both laugh. “So, I hope you don’t mind, but Dallas told me a little bit about your and Parker’s arrangement.”

Nerves race through me. “Oh.”

Willow holds up a hand. “Don’t worry, I’m not judging at all. And your secret is safe with me,” she says with a wink. “But when you mentioned a business idea, I actually got really excited. I’ve invested in a few businesses since I moved here two years ago, and I love supporting other women with great ideas who want to be their own bosses.”

I take a deep breath. “Well, I think my idea is solid, and there’s certainly a need for what I want to do here in Carrington Cove, so…”

“Then tell me what you’re envisioning.”

I spend the next several minutes explaining my ideas to Willow. By the time I’m done, I don’t recall if she said one word while I was rambling. For a second, I feel like I got too excited, but then she clears her throat, and shocks me. “I’m in.”

“What?”

“I love it, Cashlynn.” Her eyes light up. “Small coastal towns like this need a space like you are envisioning. I think it’s perfect for locals and tourists alike.”

“Really?”

She nods. “Absolutely. In fact, I can connect you with Pam over at Cove Realty tomorrow so you can start looking at properties. And you already know if you need any renovations, Penn’s your guy. I have a background in advertising and multiple friends in marketing, so we can discuss those things once you have a space.”

My jaw nearly hits the floor. “You’re serious? You’re willing to invest in me just like that?” I say, snapping my fingers in the air.

Willow reaches for my hand. “Yes. I may not know you on a personal level, but I trust my gut. You’ve clearly put thought into this, and I can tell you’re determined. Plus, I could use the distraction while waiting for this baby to make an appearance,” she explains, rubbing her stomach again.

I sink back into the cushion, still trying to process my shock. “I…don’t even know what to say. Seriously, I can’t thank you enough.”

She winks again. “I’m just as excited about this as you are.” Then her smile falters, and her tone shifts. “Now, what’s really going on between you and Parker?”

Before I can answer, Hazel’s voice cuts in, startling us both. “Yes, please. I need your version—because the one I got from my brother was full of grunting and denial.”

I stare up at the youngest Sheppard sibling. “What do you mean?”

Hazel rolls her eyes and moves to sit on the loveseat next to the couch. “I know my brother well enough to know he wouldn’t just show up out of the blue with a fiancé. Although that little display of affection out there?” she says, pointing outside. “That was pretty convincing. Did you have to coach my brother on that?”

I dart my eyes back and forth between Willow and Hazel, then let out a heavy sigh. “It’s complicated.”

Willow takes a sip from her glass of water. “Cashlynn, if there’s one thing we understand, it’s complicated relationships. You should hear the story sometime of how Dallas and I met.”

Hazel nods. “It’s a doozy. And Penn and Astrid take the cake, literally and figuratively, with their unrequited, friends-to-lovers tale,” she says through a laugh. “Grady and Scottie weren’t much better—surprise pregnancy, her son breaking into his garage…” Hazel shakes her head with a laugh. “Believe me, whatever you and Parker have going on? You’re in good company.”

I take in her words, stunned by the amount of drama this family seems to attract. Hazel smirks and leans forward. “Now,me, on the other hand? I could regale you with terrible dating stories all night. My love life is a dumpster fire.” She pauses dramatically. “I’ve only had one real boyfriend, and he was more into chasing girls at the gym than me.”

“I, uh…” Words evade me as I contemplate what to say.

Hazel doesn’t let up, though. “Come on. There has to be more than either of you is letting on.” She waggles her eyebrows. “You didn’t just come here for your dad and this business venture, did you?”

I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Honestly, I don’t know what I was expecting, but it sure as hell wasn’t pretending to be Parker’s fiancée.”

“We know how that came to be, but what about the two of you? I mean, this isn’t some cut and dry business transaction. You guys slept together when you met, right?” Willow says. “So, why’d it end there?”

I close my eyes and blow out a breath. “I ran off afterward.”

Hazel tries to hide her laugh. “Oh God, I’m afraid to ask because it’s my brother, but…was it…bad?”

Shooting up from my seat, I say, “No! Not at all. Quite the opposite actually. I’m not usually the one-night-stand type of girl, and with him, it was…” I glance away, remembering how insane our chemistry was, how strong and viral he felt as our bodies writhed against one another, how he made me feel safe both on the planeandin bed.

Willow clears her throat, pulling me from my thoughts. “So, do you want more with him?”

I shrug, not wanting to let on just how much being near him again has stirred up feelings I’ve been trying to ignore. Denying these feelings has felt more overwhelming than all of the other choices hovering over me. “Parker has made it clear he’s unavailable and just doing this to help me, so…”

---