When he turned the corner, I dropped my hand from her mouth. “Please tell me you know what you’re doing. I’m pretty sure if you keep this up I’m going to end up in a dark alley and my ass is going to be kicked by people who know people who know the Parker brothers.”
She winked. “I just like getting them all riled up. It’s fun!”
“For you! My face isn’t going to be having any fun when it gets broken.”
Her fingers traced the outline of the barely visible black eye. “Sure did take a long time to go away.”
“Cord’s strong.”
Waylynn grinned. “I don’t want this handsome face to get a scratch on it, so I’ll be good.”
My hands landed on her hips, pulling her close. “Waylynn Parker, you don’t know how to be good when it comes to teasing those brothers of yours.”
“That is the God’s honest truth right there. Trust me, one day you’ll appreciate it, and it will be funny.”
“I hope that day comes soon.”
“The last two weeks have been…amazing,” she said. “Please tell me this isn’t the new relationship high, and in four months were gonna be on the sofa with bowls of popcorn watching stupid reality TV shows.”
I laughed. “I have a feeling I’m always going to feel this way about you. You’ve ignited my heart, Waylynn.”
Our eyes met and it felt like we were totally alone. Completely lost within each other.
“Promise me you won’t be reckless with my heart.”
My chest tightened to hear her voice shake. “I swear to you on this day, I will hold your heart in mine and never let it go.”
Her eyes filled with tears, speaking volumes more than words would ever be able to. “Kiss me.”
Smiling, I did as she asked. The tenderness of that kiss would forever be ingrained in my heart. It was in that moment I knew…
I was in love with Waylynn Parker.
Chapter Fourteen
Jonathon
The large table in the dining room looked the same as usual. The color on the walls was the same. The people sitting around the table were the same, expect for a few additions.
“So, when can I call you Uncle Jonathon?”
I looked down at Chloe. She was a sweetheart and adorable to boot. Those Parker blue eyes stared back up at me. The way she batted those eyelashes told me she knew exactly what she was doing. Oh, yeah, she had her family’s blood flowing through her.
Little stinker.
“Well, I guess you could call me that whenever you want. I feel like your Uncle Cord is my own brother, and I’ve always loved your family like it was my own.”
Her eyes lit up. “Does that mean you’re gonna marry Aunt Waylynn?” Chloe leaned in closer and shielded her mouth in an attempt to whisper. “Aunt Meli told me what to ask and say, so that’s what I’m doing.”
I nodded. “I see. What else are you supposed to ask me?”
Chloe glanced around the table to see if it was safe to keep going. I did the same. Everyone was lost in conversation except for Melanie. She was grinning from ear to ear watching Chloe and me.
“Okay well, you have to promise not to tell cuz I’m a good secret keeper.”
“I see that,” I said, crossing my heart in a promise.
“I’m supposed to find out if you like kids. Do you?”
Leaning in closer, I replied in a hushed voice. “Very much so. I have five younger siblings. The youngest is almost seven.”
She pulled back. “Really? I’m six.”
“I know. He’s in your class. His name is Rip.”
Her mouth opened in shock. “Rip is your brother?”
With a nod, I added, “He sure is.”
Leaning back in her chair, she frowned as if she was in deep thought. When she started to tap her chin, I had to hold back a laugh. “What are you in such deep thought about, young Chloe?”
“If Rip is your brother, and he’s already cute, and he grows up to look like you, he’s gonna be even more cute. I need to add him to my list of possible husbands.”
I nearly choked. I made a mental note to talk to young Rip in a few years about Chloe Parker. Clearly, she had a lot of her aunt’s blood flowing in there. Poor Steed was in for the ride of his life with this one.
“I’m sure he’d be honored to know he made your list.”
She smiled. “You’re on Aunt Waylynn’s list. I heard her telling Grammy that y’all had only just started dating, but that she felt something deep down in here…” She pressed her hand to her chest. “She said it was unlike anything she’d ever felt. I don’t know what that means, but I think it’s good and probably means you’re on her list.”
My gaze drifted over to Waylynn. She was deep in conversation with her Aunt Vi. “That’s a very good thing, Chloe, and I hope you’re right.”