Page 88 of Someday You Learn

“I did a few sessions a couple of years ago, but I don’t think I was ready to let go of shit then. I might be more open to it now…”

Penn nods. “I think it could help you a lot, Parker. Honestly.”

I turn and face the two of them. “I’m fucking scared, you guys. I never imagined wanting another woman again, and now the stakes are even higher because I’m already pretending to be engaged to herandshe’s my boss’s daughter.”

“That feeling is valid.” Penn props a hand on my shoulder. “I was fucking terrified when I decided to pursue Astrid. But I promise you, it was worth it. From everything you’ve said, it sounds like Cashlynn is worth it to you.”

“I wouldn’t be willing to work through my shit if she weren’t, dumbass.”

“I’m just making sure your head is in the right place,” Penn replies. “Well then, where do you go from here?”

I exhale deeply, running a hand through my hair. “I just want to get to know her better,” I answer honestly. “I know we have a connection, and it’s time to explore that.”

Dallas nods. “I think that’s a good plan. Take things slow.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Um, did you forget we’re already engaged?”

“Fakeengaged. Just because your feelings are real, doesn’t mean that the engagement has to be.”

An ounce of relief courses through me. My brother is right. This only has a label if we put one on it. And Cashlynn assured me that she’d be patient. I’m almost positive she’s not expecting an actual wedding when this is all said and done—at least not right away.

Fuck. Could I imagine marrying Cashlynn? Her walking toward me in a white dress, her hair down in waves around her face, me peeling back a veil to kiss her and promise to love her for all eternity.

“Yoo-hoo,” Dallas says. “Earth to Parker. Where’d you go just now?”

I shake off the mental images flooding my mind right now and remind myself to breathe. “Sorry. My thoughts are fucking racing.”

“You’re so up in your head, man,” Penn says. “I know it might seem impossible, but stop overthinking, and instead, just do what feels right. The other shit will work itself out in due time.”

Dallas’s face lights up as Willow steps outside with Cashlynn trailing closely behind her, effectively ending our conversation. “Hey, Goose,” he says.

“Hi, boys. Whatcha doing?” she asks, walking over to Dallas. He pulls her in as close as her growing stomach will allow.

“Just guy talk,” Dallas says before he leans down and kisses his wife.

“Hey, you.” Cashlynn comes up to me, wrapping her arms around my waist, and fuck, the way she fits against me feels so right.

I tip her chin up, looking her in the eyes for a moment before pressing a soft kiss to her lips. “Hey, sweetheart.”

“Oh my God, you guys are too cute!” Willow coos. Then she leans forward and says, “Don’t be mad at Cashlynn, but she told me about you two.” She waves her hand between us.

Dallas chuckles. “Yeah, we were getting the guy version of what happened.”

Willow rolls her eyes. “Sounds riveting. Well, we came out here to tell you guys that dinner’s almost ready and… Cashlynn has set the opening date for her gallery!”

I turn to look at the woman in my arms, surprised. “You have?”

She nods, her eyes sparkling. “Willow and I were talking, and given how things are progressing, it looks like everything will be ready by the first week of May!”

Fuck. So that means I have even less time to get my shit together now.

“And as long as I’m not in labor, Dallas and I will be there.”

“I’m ready to put in the shelves and cabinetry this week too,” Penn says.

“I can’t wait to see it all come together. The tables and chairs are getting delivered this week too.” Cashlynn squeezes my waist tighter.

“Have you started reaching out to artists yet?” Willow asks.

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