“So then how did it happen?” Dad asks.
“You really want the details?”
“Not those kinds of details,” Dad says flippantly. “But, you know, how did this all come about?” He waves his hand in the air and then goes back to coloring.
I guess we’re doing this, then. Clearing my throat, I say, “I’ve always found Larkin attractive—it’s hard not to notice how beautiful she is, inside and out—but I never tapped into that thought. I pushed it to the back of my mind, because she’s always been my assistant. But it wasn’t until the past few weeks, which have had me spending so much time with her and assessing my present life, that I realized she makes me happy. Emotionally, mentally, she fills up my cup, and there’s nothing I want more than to be the man that holds her hand. Simple as that.” I steal a glance at Larkin, wishing I was saying this to her rather than my father.
“Why now, then? Office romances can be tricky and hard to navigate—I know from experience, especially when they’re boss and assistant relationships.” Dad motions to Larkin. “You can’t lose her, son; she’s a huge asset to the company.” He’s not mad, but I can see he’s trying to cover all bases. Make sure we know what we’re getting into. I guess after all the thoughtful and in-depth conversations I’ve had with him in the past, this doesn’t surprise me.
“I know.” I take Larkin’s hand in mine and say, “I don’t plan on losing her.”
But Larkin fidgets next to me. I can practically feel her nerves spiking, and before I can calm her down, she says, “It was my fault.”
“Larkin,” I start, but she places her hand on my chest. She clearly isn’t reading the room properly. My dad can be an intimidating man, even if his socks don’t match.
“Please don’t be mad at Ford.” Yeah, she’s not understanding my dad’s questioning at all. “I made the first move. I kissed him. It was an intense moment—we were talking about feelings, and something came over me and I went for it.”
Mom takes that moment to chime in. “You made the first move?” she asks.
“Yes, Mrs. Chance,” Larkin answers. “And I know that’s completely unprofessional, and I understand there might be consequences to my actions—”
“You’re damn right there are consequences to your actions,” Mom says, pushing away from the table and standing. Oh shit. Maybe I was reading everything wrong. Confused, I’m about to step in to defend Larkin when Mom scoops Larkin into a hug. “Oh, baby girl, welcome to the family. I just knew you two were supposed to get together. From the moment I met you, I knew you were the perfect match for my Ford, and the fact that you made the first move . . . well, that makes all the difference. You like him.”
From over my mom’s shoulder, Larkin looks at me with confused eyes but then hugs her back. Trust me, I’m just as confused. Maybe we should have waited to have some more coffee in our systems before having this conversation.
“I do like him,” Larkin says, making my stomach do a somersault.
I glance over at Dad, who has a smirk on his face as he leans back in his chair. When he glances at me, he picks up a glass of champagne and lifts it in a mock toast. “So glad you’re not a pervert, son.” But then, turning serious, his eyes connect with mine and he says, “Woo her, son. She’s the type of girl who deserves wooing.”
I look back at Larkin and I realize that my dad could not be more right. She is a forever type of girl, and the only way to keep her is to make sure she knows I’m in this for the long haul.
TO: Palmer Chance, Cooper Chance
FROM: Ford Chance
SUBJECT: The Anniversary Party
Just checking in to see how everything is coming along. Larkin and I will be working on mapping out the store today and talking with the employees to see how we can make the most out of the space, especially the back.
Cooper: Have people been RSVPing? How’s the list coming along? Rentals? The “fun” you promised.
Palmer: Cake and food set?
TO: Palmer Chance, Ford Chance
FROM: Cooper Chance
SUBJECT: Re: The Anniversary Party
Cake is fine. Palmer doesn’t have to do anything with that.
Everything else is taken care of.
TO: Cooper Chance, Ford Chance
FROM: Palmer Chance
SUBJECT: Re: The Anniversary Party
What have you done to the cake? Did you change it back? I swear to God, Cooper, I’m going to murder you.
Also, you can respond to Ford in the body of the email, and not me?
TO: Palmer Chance, Ford Chance
FROM: Cooper Chance
SUBJECT: Yup. Also, murder is a sin.
TO: Cooper Chance, Ford Chance
FROM: Palmer Chance
SUBJECT: Why are you a dick?
TO: Palmer Chance, Ford Chance
FROM: Cooper Chance
SUBJECT: Why are you a hag?
TO: Cooper Chance, Ford Chance
FROM: Palmer Chance
SUBJECT: STOP CHANGING THE CAKE
TO: Palmer Chance, Ford Chance
FROM: Cooper Chance
SUBJECT: JUST BECAUSE YOU USED CAPS, DOESN’T MEAN I’ll LISTEN
TO: Cooper Chance, Palmer Chance
FROM: Ford Chance
SUBJECT: Re: JUST BECAUSE YOU USED CAPS, DOESN’T MEAN I’ll LISTEN
Enough.
We have a week until the party. Get your shit together. Show up for Mom and Dad and then we can go our separate ways. Think you can handle that?
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
LARKIN
Cooper: Meet you there at noon.
I glance up from the text that Cooper sent me an hour ago, just to make sure I got the time right. It’s two minutes past noon, and he’s nowhere in sight. The island is pretty quiet today: not much traffic toward the store, which is the main draw, and the lunch crowd is fairly sparse as well. Surprising for a summer day. Maybe the locals are lucky for the reprieve, because I know tomorrow it will probably pick up. It always does. With some of the best hiking trails in the area and the popularity of the original Watchful Wanderers store, Marina Island is easily a top-five summer destination in the PNW.
It’s been an eventful day, to say the least, but Cooper texting me still came close to being the biggest surprise. I was about to ask Ford about it, but Cooper told me not to tell Ford about us meeting.
Granted, this is not something I would normally keep a secret from Ford, especially now that we’re . . . dating. Yeah, we’re dating; I can’t even fathom that change in events right now. But after Ford battled through emails with his siblings this morning, I thought that Cooper might be looking for some insight on how to mend things with his brother.
At least that’s what I’m hoping.
If I can be a helping hand in the matter, then I will.
I glance at the time on my phone again and then look up toward the harbor, where I spot Cooper jogging toward me.
“Hey,” I say when he gets closer.
“Sorry,” he says, slightly breathless. “Someone’s car stalled out on the ferry, which made for a backlog of cars trying to get off.”
“Not a problem at all.” I nod toward the sandwich shop. “Want to take a seat?”