“Not gonna lie. Now I’m curious as to what you think you can do in Half Moon Key.”
“I will totally figure it out. Trust me on this, Rosebud. You’re gonna have the best time ever.”
Any time we’re together is the best time ever.
The words were on the tip of her lips, but she didn’t want to say them. Wasn’t it too soon to feel this connected? It had to be.
Jade laid her cheek on Parker’s chest and took a deep breath. Tonight was a success, and she was lucky to be spending it with him. That’s all she would obsess over. For now …
ELEVEN
PARKER
Parker couldn’t quite believe how much of an idiot he was.
Pfft.
It’ll be easy.
Those were his exact words to Jade the night of Beach Day. Now, he was trying to plan a good date, and he was at a complete loss. It’s not like he was from this town. He had no idea if there were any good date spots in Half Moon Key. He told Jade he would cook for her, but he was a little bit at a loss.
Parker took out his phone and flipped the contacts open. Mason’s number was right there. Another guy his age. Sure, Mason wasn’t from here, but the locals had taken to him. There was a chance he would know something Parker didn’t.
His fingers over Mason’s name, and then because Parker wasnota twelve-year-old, he decided to do the mature thing and ask for help.
“Parker, my man!” Mason answered with a chuckle. “You’re calling. Interesting.”
“That’s an interesting way to answer your phone,” Parker laughed, amused by the other man’s attitude.
“Yeah, but I’m an interesting man. Ask my woman. She will totally vouch for that side of my personality.”
“Got it. Speaking of women …” Parker cleared his throat, suddenly very uncomfortable.
“Oh, I see. Does this have anything to do with the lovely Jade Curran I hear you’re getting real cozy with?”
Parker sighed. “Yeah, yeah, it does.”
“Thought as much. And you called the other new man in town to know how to date a Half Moon Key woman? That makes you a smart man. A very smart man.”
“Right, so listen, are there any good date spots in town?”
Mason laughed. “You could do dinner at The Spaghetti Bowl, or you could cook something yourself.”
“I was thinking more of something in the line of activities.”
“Well, the town is surrounded by woods, and there’s a lake. There’s plenty do to with both of those, but if you don’t think that your lady is into that, then you’re gonna have to use your imagination.”
“I figured you would say that.”
“Didn’t date much before moving here, did you?” Mason asked.
“Is it that obvious?” Parker muttered.
“No, not exactly obvious, but you did call me.”
“That’s fair, I suppose. I just don’t want to mess this up. This town is very small, and they all seem so close and in each other’s business. If I fuck this up, everyone in town will know.”
Mason laughed. “You got that right. Even though everyone could tell Lila and I were a good match, I still got a bunch of talking-tos from town folks. The usualif you mess with her, you’re donekinda things.”