Page 69 of Chosen

“It could also open us up to a few frivolous lawsuits.”

Parker nodded as he spoke. “Could you imagine? Someone trying to get us to pay their doctor fees because they sprained their ankle on a groundhog hole? Do you know how hilarious that would sound?” Parker laughed, amused by his own joke. “People just wouldn’t take us seriously anymore.”

“There goes Wild Woods. Felled by a groundhog.” I started laughing, too, the sound genuine as it escaped my chest. “What would we even do with ourselves?”

“Maybe see where things go with Sam,” Parker said, a bright smile on his face.

“What?” I couldn’t hide that I was taken aback by his response, my laughter turning to nothing in my throat. “What are you talking about right now?”

“I think you know.” Parker shrugged.

“Parker, I don’t—”

“Are you trying to tell me you don’t like that guy?” Parker eyed me up and down, suspicion clear on his features. “You’re telling me I completely misread the vibe between you two?”

“It’s just… I don’t…” I shook my head in disbelief. “How could you even tell?”

“Ah. I just had a hunch.” Parker shrugged again. “Something about the way you two moved around each other.”

“The way we moved?”

“Yep. I’ve probably been watching one too many nature documentaries or just staring at those forest cameras at HQ for too long,” Parker murmured, before he grinned. “But you can tell who’s a mating pair and who’s not a mating pair. And you two? You two move like a mating pair.”

“I don’t know if that’s a compliment or not… but thanks?” Confusion lined my tone.

“You’re welcome.” Parker winked before he went on. “Seriously, though. What’s going on with you two? Is it serious or are you just having a good time for a short time?”

“It’s serious,” I admitted. “Very serious.”

“Very serious?” Parker quirked an eyebrow. “Didn’t you two just meet like a few days ago?”

“It doesn’t feel that way,” I replied. “It feels like we’ve known each other a lot longer, like, something out of the movies. I swear.”

“Really?” Parker hummed.

“Don’t sound so surprised.” I let out a harsh chuckle.

“Why shouldn’t I be surprised?” Parker pressed, with a grin. “I’ve only known you to be in exactly one long term relationship, Damon. And it’s not like you’ve been super committed to anyone since then. You’ve really been going through a lone wolf phase when it comes to romance, you know?”

“I’m not sure if I’d call it a lone wolf phase—”

“Oh, that’s exactly what it was,” Parker interrupted. “But don’t get my confusion mixed up with not being happy for you, because I am. If Sam makes you happy, then I’m happy for the both of you.”

“Thanks… but…”

“But?”

I let out a deep breath before I replied. “But we don’t know if we’re going to have a happy ending, exactly.”

“What do you mean?”

“Sam will probably have to go back to Atlanta soon,” I explained. “To work there full-time. Which means he won’t be able to get back to Roanoke too often, and since I’m pretty busy here, it’s not like I can fly out to Atlanta whenever I feel like it.”

“Long distance. Shit.” Parker let out a loud sigh. “That definitely sucks. Still, though, you’re going to try, right?”

“I want to.” I nodded as I spoke. “I just…”

“You just what?”

---