“I knew he’d come around.” Paisley smiles at her sister.
“Well, ladies, the night’s not over. We promised you dinner and dancing,” Cameron reminds them.
The lights in the basement are already dim. The glow from the candles placed around the room and the table, along with the string of lights that Easton helped install, give us plenty of romantic lighting.
Cameron stands and pulls Paisley’s chair out for her. “May I have this dance, Momma?” Paisley smiles up at him like he hung the moon, and for the first time in my life, when I see a couple who shares that look, I know how it feels to be on the receiving end, because when I turn to look at Parker, she has the same look on her face and it’s directed right at me.
The look, that same smile she’s always held just for me, reaches into my chest and squeezes my heart. Every. Damn. Time.
“Sweet pea?” I stand and offer her my hand. Pulling her to her feet, I’m quick to wrap her in my arms and begin a slow sway side to side. The music turns up a little louder, and I glance over to see Cameron sliding his phone back into his pocket.
Song after song, the four of us are lost in our own little worlds. Nothing matters but being in each other’s arms and cherishing the moment.
“You know, I’m kinda glad our plans changed for tonight,” Parker says.
“Yeah?”
“This is so much better. Being here with you. Just you. No fear of cameras or fans asking for autographs.”
“But I like when they take pictures of us.”
She playfully rolls her eyes. “I’m convinced now, Holden. You’ve hung up your playboy hat.”
“Yeah, but I need to keep reminding the world that I’m happily taken.”
“What am I going to do with you?” she asks.
Love me. “Kiss me,” I say instead, as the lyrics to “I Cross My Heart” by George Straight fill my ears.
Pulling out of the kiss, I bend so my lips are next to her ear and sing every word to her. Her hands grip the back of my shirt, and I know that this is it. This is my moment. Our moment. As the last verse plays, I stop moving and cradle her face in my hands.
“I love you, Parker.”
Tears shimmer in her eyes, but her smile is as bright as the sun. Her lips tremble as she replies, “Oh, Holden, I love you too.”
I kiss her with all the love I have, and it’s not until I see the flash of the camera from the corner of my eye that I remember that Cameron and Paisley are here, and Cameron knew to snap a photo of us once I told her. It was his idea, and when I asked him how he would know the right moment, he replied, “Don’t worry, I’m madly in love with a Monroe sister. I’ll know.”
“What are you doing?” Parker laughs.
“Documenting the moment.” Cameron grins at her.
“Just because your relationship was caught on camera doesn’t mean mine needs to be,” she teases.
“Best fucking day of my life,” he says, leaning down and kissing Paisley’s swollen belly. A jolt of envy washes over me. One day soon, that will be us, and it will be our baby on the way. I can’t fucking wait to see what the future holds for us.
CHAPTER 26
Parker
“I can’t believe we’re here,” Peyton says from her seat next to me on the plane. Our flight just landed at the Ft. Myers airport. We’re both on spring break from college, and I’m flying down to see Holden.
He left a month ago this week, and it’s been hard not being able to see him. This is the last week of spring training before he’s back, but waiting another week to see him didn’t work for Holden or for me. He bought me a plane ticket to come and see him since there are no classes.
When Peyton found out I was coming, she begged my parents to let her go. She and her friends had been planning a trip to the beach for spring break, and my parents were hesitant to let her go. All it took was me promising to keep an eye on her, and Dad loosened up the reins a little and agreed. We both had to promise to call him every day. I’m turning twenty-two soon, and Peyton is nineteen. Dad doesn’t care, though. He’s a papa bear, no matter how old we are.
“Don’t forget to call Dad. I wouldn’t put it past him to send a search party,” I say, only half joking.
“Don’t even joke about that,” Peyton grumbles. “What time is Autumn meeting you?”
“She flew down with Kate last night. I waited for you to be out of your last midterm so we could fly together.”
“Best big sister ever,” she says dramatically.
“I’ll be sure to tell Paisley you said so,” I taunt.
“I love you both equally.” Peyton grins.
“So, are your friends here yet?” I ask her.
“Karina is here. She flew down with her parents. Their flight was this morning at six or something like that. They’re staying in the same hotel as us, so I told her I’d call when we were checked in.”
“Do you have your pepper spray?” I ask her.
“Yes, Mom.”
“Peyton, you’re beautiful, and so is Karina. I don’t want the two of you getting abducted or worse. This world has some crazy-ass people in it.”
“I know. I promise we’ll be careful, and I’ll check in with you often. We’re really just planning to hang by the pool and on the beach. No crazy partying or drinking. Besides, Karina’s parents are here.”
“Yeah, Dad was excited to hear that.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s already called and talked to them.” She snorts out a laugh.
“That is a bet I’m not taking.” I join in her laughter. Our father is just over the top most of the time.
“When do you get to see Holden?”
“I want to get checked in and make sure you’ve met up with Karina, and then I’m going to go to where they’re practicing. I bought a ticket for today, but he doesn’t know. He thinks he doesn’t get to see me until later tonight.”
“Look at you going all out to surprise your man.”
“It’s just as much for me as it is for him. I miss him.”
“There isn’t a single doubt in my mind that the man isn’t going out of his mind with missing you. He’s crazy about you. You and Paisley managed to actually find men who love just like Dad loves Mom.”
“Yours is out there too. He’ll come into your life when you least expect him to. Trust me. I wasn’t expecting Holden, and we know Paisley wasn’t expecting Cameron either. Life just tosses him into your path.”
“Well, I know one thing. I’m holding out. I want that kind of love. I want a man who looks at me the way Holden looks at you. I won’t settle for less.”
“That’s my girl,” I say, giving her a hug. The flight attendant tells us we can exit the plane, so we reach overhead to grab our bags. Nervous energy courses through me. I miss Holden more than I ever thought I would or even could. I can’t wait to feel his strong arms wrap around me.
“So he has no idea you’re coming today?” Autumn asks.
“No. I wanted to surprise him by coming to watch practice. He’s not expecting me until tonight.”