Page 134 of The Parkers' Handsome Holiday
"Yeah. I lost my dad when I was younger. I don't remember much about it, but it changed everything. Instead of being independent and trusting that I would find my way on my own, I clung to my best friend and turned him into something he wasn't." The truth rang in my ears and my eyes filled with tears. "I wanted him to love me so fucking bad. I tried everything, but he didn't."
"Ever?" she whispered softly.
"No." I reached up and wiped at my tears as I let out a sardonic laugh. "I wasted a lot of time waiting for him to come back to Texas and realize what he left behind."
"Where is he now?" Her expression was filled with acceptance, though it seemed weird that it would be. Here I was crying over Kade and dating her brother.
"He's back in Houston, I guess. He showed up about the time your brother decided to convince me that we belonged together." I smiled and took the towel the massage therapist handed me. "Thank you." I cleaned up my face and gave Natalie an apologetic smile. "I'm so grateful for Jason. He changed everything for me. Who knows where I would be without him."
"Amen to that." She smiled. "He's the best brother a girl could have."
"I bet. He seems like one of the last real good guys left." I turned onto my back as the therapist urged me to. "I'm scared that I'm too old for him though, you know? He deserves a young wife to experience life with."
She snorted. "No way. He's always been into older women. He doesn't need a young anything. He needs to be loved fiercely and taken care of. He works too hard taking care of everyone else. He always has."
I realized how badly I wanted to be that woman. The one he turned to in times of trouble or concern. I wanted to be the safe place he landed every time anything came up.
"I love him so much," I whispered and closed my eyes as emotion choked me and sent another wave of tears rolling down my cheeks. "I don't cry often. I have no clue what's wrong with me."
"I like it. Shows that you're human."
"Did you think I wasn't?" I turned my head toward her and wiped at my eyes again.
She laughed and turned to look at me. "You're impossibly beautiful, smart, wealthy, you own an accounting firm for shit’s sake. You're a little much."
I chuckled. "Well, thank you? I think?"
"You're welcome." She let out a soft sigh and closed her eyes again. "I'd be happy to have you as my sister."
I studied her for a second before responding. "Same."
* * *
Jason wasn't in the room when I got back, but a dozen roses sat on the table near the hot tub. I paused, not too sure what to think about them. The last time I'd gotten roses, they were from Kade. Jason was quick to remind me that he wasn't a 'flower type of guy’, and I totally understood. Funny enough, he’d brought me roses once before. Maybe change was in the air?
"So, are these from you, handsome?" I walked slowly toward them as trepidation sat in my stomach. I was being silly. They were most likely from Jason.
I plucked the card from the flowers and tore it open. The message was simple, but stole my heart.
For the woman who's captivated me in ways I didn't think possible. Be mine, Becca. Forever?
The door opened behind me, as if the man had perfect timing.
I turned and smiled. "You're so sweet. You didn't have to do this."
"I know." He closed the door and walked toward me. "I wanted to."
"I thought you weren't a flower guy." I slid my hands up his chest and pressed myself against him.
"I'm willing to change a little if it pleases my lady." He leaned down and kissed me softly before going in for another, longer kiss.
I melted against him as exhaustion tugged at me. The softness of his lips against mine was more than enough to have me feeling lightheaded.
"You want to lie down?" I pulled back to get a read on him.
His smile turned cocky. "Is that code for something?"
"Yeah. Usually it means sleep. Did you learn something different growing up?"
