Page 117 of The Parkers' Handsome Holiday
"What?" She moved up closer and wrapped her arm around my shoulders before pressing her cheek against my back. "I'm just glad to see you happy. It's been a long sixteen years of watching you pass up opportunities. Forgive me for enjoying the moment."
"I've been with Jason for nine months, Mom."
"Well, you've been playing it off as nothing more than a casual friendship. Moving in with someone isn't very casual at all." She squeezed me and moved back as Parker and Jason rounded the corner.
"Hey! Two of my favorite girls in the world." Parker moved toward my mom and pulled her into a hug, kissing the side of her face. "Becca's dad isn't here, right?"
"What are you doing here?" I turned to face Parker as my mom moved back and glanced up at him.
"You don't like Tom?" Her eyebrow lifted.
"I love Tom, but he doesn't like me." Parker chuckled before walking over to give me a quick squeeze. I couldn't help but notice Jason watching us like a hawk.
"I'm lost. Who's Tom?" Jason leaned against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. His t-shirt fit him almost too well, the thick press of his chest and arm muscles gaining my attention and lighting parts of me on fire.
"My husband. Rebecca's stepfather." My mom patted Parker's chest. "Tom does too like you. He just thinks you're a bit of a horn-dog."
"Mom. Jeez." I shook my head and turned back to the salad. "Let's not talk about Parker's love life and just say we did."
"It's all good." Parker walked over and snagged a tomato from the bowl in front of me. I tried to swat at his hand, but he was too quick. "I'm sorry to crash your dinner. I can leave if you want."
"No way! You're like family." My mother moved over and looped her arm into Parker's. "You need to let me help you find a wife."
"Do I now?" Parker glanced back at me, the pleading look on his face for help almost too cute.
"Yep. I'm honestly surprised that you and Becca didn't end up together, but her father wouldn't be too thrilled about that." I let my mom drag him away.
Jason chuckled and moved up behind me. "I'd not be too happy with that either."
I turned to face him and pressed my palms against his chest. "Why did you give my mom false hope?"
"How did I do that?" He ran the back of his fingers down the side of my cheek as he studied me. Something about the way he watched me unraveled me. Fear danced in the pit of my stomach. Could I fully give myself over to a handsome, young guy like him and not be worried that everything would come crashing down?
My business was the mainstay in my life, and it needed me strong and steady. How focused would I be if Jason up and left after I truly opened myself up to him, and not just my legs, but my heart.
"You told her that we were moving in together." I tugged at his t-shirt and breathed in deeply, staining my lungs with his delicious scent. "That's not true."
"Yes, it is. The timing might be a little off, but us moving in together is happening. Sooner than later." He leaned down and kissed me slowly, making love to my mouth, opening me up.
Electricity wrapped around the worry and pulsed out along my arms and legs, causing the hair on the back of my neck to rise and chill bumps to cover my exposed skin.
"I'm scared," I whispered softly against his lips.
"The great and mighty Rebecca Martin? Scared? No way."
"We've had this conversation before." I reached up and ran my fingers through the dark brown hair on the side of his head. "You're not risking anything."
"I'm not?" He kissed me again. "And you're risking everything?"
I forced myself to remain calm and not get emotional. We had guests in the other room, and both my mother and Parker knew me well enough to know when I'd been crying. No matter how well I tried to hide it.
"Yes, Jason. It's not the same for you as it is for me. If something happens-"
"Nothing is going to happen, baby. We're going to move in together, and then we're getting married." He kissed the tip of my nose. "And then you're having my babies."
"You have this all planned out in that brilliant head of yours, don't you?" I reached up and cupped his cheek. "There's only one problem with your plans."
He pressed his hand against mine and turned to run the tip of his nose along my palm. "What's that? Tell me and I'll fix it."
