Parker looks at me in surprise. He knows that I'd kept my writing a secret from Dad. He even tried to convince me a few times to open up about it. "What did he say?"
A wide grin breaks across my face. "He was surprised. He asked that I print hard copies so he could read every single one."
His brows shoot up. "And?"
"He said they were really good," I nearly squeal in delight.
"Told you he'd say that," he grins.
Parker did, in fact, say that after he read my short stories himself. But because I was scared and doubting myself, I refused to listen. It had to take Ms. Langham to convince me. Maybe because she's an author herself, and I made myself believe that she had more authority on the matter.
"He's happy that there's another writer in the family—well, his words not mine."
I remember the look of pride on Dad's face when he said that. Most of the time, he's just plain, old Dad to me. But in that moment, he was the international bestselling author everyone adores. It felt like an honor to hear those words from him.
And I'm pretty sure he teared up when I mentioned that it had always been my dream to get into Carlisle University. He just quickly pulled me in for a hug to hide it. It was absolutely endearing.
I should've told him the truth from the beginning.
"Because he's proud of you. Just like I am."
I smirk around the warmth bursting in my chest. "Sucking up to me, Holloway? Thought that'd earn you some brownie points?"
Parker chuckles softly, the sound turning my insides into mush. "You caught me, Dunn." Then he cocks up an eyebrow, as if to say and what are you going to do about it?
My heart starts to hammer against my ribcage at that loaded look. I know what he's really asking.
The thing is, I already have an answer. I no longer need to think things through. I've known it for a while now, but I was holding myself back, prolonging the inevitable. But I don't want to do that anymore.
I'm done making him wait.
Biting back a grin, I glance away. "If you keep doing that, this relationship will surely last long."
From my periphery, I see him freeze, staring at me unblinkingly. "What did you just say?"
"I think…" I draw in a breath then slide my gaze back to him. "I think I'm ready to give it another go." He opens his mouth, but I raise a finger and give him a stern look. "But if you break my heart again—I swear to God, Holloway—that's it. No more chances. This is the last one I'll ever give you."
Truth is there's still a part of me that fears I'll once again end up getting hurt by him, but I refuse to let it rule over me anymore. Because being in a relationship with someone you love means that risk will never really go away. It's just a question of whether or not you're willing to take it.
I choose to take that risk.
Parker swallows hard, taking a shuddering breath. His hand squeezes mine. "And I swear you won't regret it."
"I seriously hope so because I'm getting sick of crying," I choke out, my throat burning with emotion.
A tear falls out from my eye, and Parker reaches out to wipe it with his thumb. "Just as it kills me to see you cry," he murmurs. "Fuck. I really was an idiot."
I sniff then laugh, nodding. "Yeah, you were."
He strokes my cheek with the back of his fingers. "But not anymore." Then he closes the distance between us and presses his lips against mine, kissing away the hurt, erasing all the pain, and promising to never make the mistake again.
I cling to him, holding on to that promise with all the hope and love within me, trusting in him—in us—to make it work.
We'll be okay.
"Eww!"
Startled, we pull away to see a few children watching us in disgust. And not far from them are, in my assumption, their parents, mirroring the same expressions.
Duke is staring at us as well, tilting his head, as if wondering what the fuss is all about.
Parker bites his bottom lip to hold back a smile, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Want to get out of here?"
I laugh unabashedly, too happy to care, and nod. "Take me home."
EPILOGUE
Parker
"Seriously, where are you taking me?" Sawyer touches the blindfold around her eyes before huffing indignantly and putting her hand down.
"We're almost there," I chuckle, cutting my eyes back to the road.
As much as I'd like to keep staring at my girlfriend, getting into an accident is the last thing I want to happen. I'm driving us back to Holy Oaks, but she doesn't know that yet. She has no idea where we're going. The blindfold makes sure of that.
It's been exactly a year since that night on the beach. The night that started as a mess and ended up being the best thing that ever happened. It was the night that essentially brought us together. That's why I decided to do something about it. I'm bringing us back to that place.
We were supposed to leave Carlisle University an hour ago, but I had swim practice and needed to wait for Sawyer to finish her meeting with her romance writing class professor, who she can't stop talking about.
It may or may not have something to do with the fact that the woman happens to be a well-known author and a friend of Ms. Langham, our English teacher back in Holy Oaks Prep—and now her dad's girlfriend. So whenever Sawyer talks to her professor, she tends to lose track of time.
I feel my lips curve into a smile, picturing the look on her face as she soaks up all the guidance and information she can get from her professor. As a Creative Writing major, Sawyer's
