Blame It On The Whiskey (On the Rocks)

He lifts his shoulder in a shrug. “I leave in a few days. It’s probably a good idea to get the word out you’re taken.”

He grabs my hand and walks with me to the parking lot. All of this is moving so fast, and I can’t help but wonder what the change is in Parker. He points to his dad’s car. “My dad wanted to change my oil so I’m driving his.”

I get in as he opens the door for me. I guess that explains why I never did see his truck.

As soon as he sits down, he starts to talk. “My mom has fixed a feast for lunch.”

I can’t help smiling at that. His mom loves cooking for people, and I know how much it means to her to cook for Parker. “I can’t wait. I haven’t had your mom’s cooking since last week.”

He’s driving, but he peeks a look at me. “You go see my family a lot since I’ve been gone.”

I lean my head against the back of the seat. “She invites me every week.”

He nods and reaches over to put his hand on my thigh and squeezes. “Good. I like that.”

Lunch with Parker and his family reminds me of old times. It’s like nothing has changed. At least that's what I think until Parker holds my hand during the whole meal. Everyone is noticing. His brother, his mom and dad all stare at our intertwined hands that are lying on the tabletop, but no one is saying a word. Parker doesn’t even seem to notice that he’s dropped a bombshell.

I look at Tony across from me, and he smirks. "So you two are a thing now?"

It's on the tip of my tongue to say no and pull my hand back, but Parker's grip on me tightens. "Yes, we are. Do you got a problem with that?" he challenges his brother.

Tony looks at him, surprised. "No. The only thing I have to say about it is it's about damn time."

Parker's dad chimes in, "Amen to that."

Parker's mom gets up from her spot at the table and comes up behind me and hugs me. "I always hoped you would one day be my daughter-in-law."

I look at Parker, alarmed, and wait for him to correct her, but all he does is stare at me, smiling ear to ear. "Thanks," I tell her, not knowing what else I should say. She releases me and goes back to her seat, smiling.

The rest of the meal goes easily. I hang out in the kitchen and help his mom and brother clean up as Parker talks to his dad. Later, after three board games, Parker finally asks me if I'm ready to go. I nod and go around to each of his family members and give them a hug before we leave.

“Here, honey. Take some leftovers so you’ll have something to eat later.”

I take the Tupperware from his mom, and she hugs me one more time. She whispers to me, “I knew you two would come to your senses one day.” She pulls back and looks at me. “A mom knows these things. You two were meant to be.”

Emotional, I merely nod and thank her before Parker helps me out to his truck.

Parker holds my hand the whole way to my house. When we get inside, I tell him to have a seat. "I'll be right back."

When I walk into my bedroom, I look in the mirror. I'm in one of the frilly skirts and shirts that Emmaline had helped me pick out. My hair is all curled, and I have makeup on. I like my new look, but I also know that my old one is who I am truly.

I change into comfortable clothes and wash my face, getting rid of every trace of makeup. When I'm fresh-faced, I go back out into the living room. I stare at Parker, waiting to see his reaction, but all he does is hold his hand out for me. I go to him, and he pulls me onto his lap. He kisses me hungrily and leaves me breathless.

"This is the real me, Parker," I say, pointing at my face and then my baggy clothes.

He shrugs as if it's not a big deal. "I like the real you." He then gasps and looks at me. "Wait, you thought it was the clothes and makeup, that's why I liked you?"

I shrug, not wanting to answer him. The truth is, I definitely thought it. "I don't know, Parker. This is all so new."

He turns me in his lap to where I have to look at him. "This isn’t something so simple that I saw you in a skirt and fell in love with you, Haven. It’s been building for a long time. Truth is, as soon as I left a few years ago, I knew something wasn’t right. There’s an emptiness inside me, and no matter what, it’s there... unless I’m talking to you, looking at you or have you in my arms.”