Page 53 of Only Ever You
There were hugs all around before they drove away in their rental car.
“I’m really glad I got to meet your dad and your stepmom.” Luna smiled up at me.
“I am too.” That emotion tightened again. It was surprising for me to care about someone meeting my dad, but Luna meant so much. “The timing for their visit was good. I’m probably gonna have to head out soon to that fire up near Fairbanks. Our crew is on rotation.”
Luna nodded. “I know. I may never love you traveling, but I know it’s part of your job, and you love it.”
I dusted a kiss on her cheek. When I lifted my head, she added, “I need to pop back inside to check with Janet about a few things. Do you want to come with me?”
“Absolutely.” It was still pretty early in the morning. “I can always have more coffee,” I pointed out with a grin.
Luna squeezed my hand as we walked into the cafe together. Janet was busy checking on something in the oven in the back. “I’m so glad you’re here!” she exclaimed the minute her eyes clapped on Luna.
“Yeah? I’m always glad to see you, but what are you so excited about?” Luna asked.
“I think I messed up a batch of donuts. And we’re already out,” Janet offered with a sheepish smile.
Luna shrugged. “There’s always extra dough in the refrigerator.” She quickly got to work, and Casey came in the back to hand me a coffee.
In the month since my mom had shown up and Luna’s parents had returned in their RV, Luna and I had settled into a rhythm. Janet was busy finalizing the timeline for when Luna would take over the café. Luna was already doing all the bakingthere and planned to start managing it within the next month, but Janet would keep ownership for five years, or less, until Luna felt ready to fully take over. My mom had left town. She had my phone number, and I had hers, but for now, that was it.
Luna’s parents had shocked Luna because they decided to stay in town. She’d initially guessed they’d change their mind and start traveling again. Her dad had taken a small construction job with a business in the area, and her mother was actually working at the local pharmacy. They’d even done a final video for their channel, simply sharing they would update if anything changed for them, but they were taking a break.
As for Luna and me, I was staying with her every night.
“This coffee is perfect.” I gave a thumbs up to Casey.
She grinned over at me. “I know your favorite,” she teased.
Luna moved at lightning speed, shaping the donuts and checking on another batch of dough that was rising.
Janet caught my eye where I waited with my hips resting on the edge of a stool across from Luna. Janet was getting a tray of baked goods to carry up to the front. “You seem like a happy man, Parker.” Her tone was light.
I did a mental body check before a slow smile stretched at the corners of my lips. “I am a happy man.”
A little while later, Luna and I walked out of the café. Her hand was warm in mine. When I looked down at her, a feeling that was linked solely to her gusted through me like a warm breeze. A sense of comfort laced with strands of joy.
I stopped her when we reached my truck. “What is it?” she asked.
I dipped my head and gave her a lingering kiss. “What if we went ahead and got married?”
Chapter Thirty-Three
LUNA
A few weeks later
A sense of giddiness washed through me as I looked up at Parker. “I can’t believe we did this!”
His slow smile sent my belly spinning. “I can.”
I tipped my head to the side as I savored the warmth of his hands holding mine. “And, you were the cynical one.”
He waggled his brows. “I was and I still am. A little bit, but you are exempt from my cynicism.”
When I giggled, he caught the sound with a kiss.
“Okay, lovebirds, we have food to eat,” Beck’s voice reached us.
