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Eventually, Parker pulls away from the hug but doesn’t let go of my hand. His gaze drifts towards his parents’ house one last time before he hardens his expression and turns away.
“Let’s go,” he says quietly.
I follow his lead as we walk away from the house and toward our parked cars. The silence between us is comfortable, filled with shared understanding rather than awkwardness.
When we reach his car, Parker hesitates before releasing my hand. He looks at our intertwined fingers for a moment before meeting my eyes again.
“Chloe…” He seems unsure how to continue but takes a deep breath before trying again. “Chloe, you’re really important to me. And I just…”
I reach up with my free hand to gently stroke his cheek, pulling his gaze back to mine.
“You’re important to me, too,” I assure him sincerely.
A tiny smile tugs at the corners of his mouth, and he gives my hand another squeeze.
“Thank you,” he murmurs.
We get in the car and drive away, and I feel determined to support Parker and be on his side, even if no one else is.
Chapter eighteen
Parker
The drive is quiet. Chloe’s hand in mine is a lifeline. Her touch is keeping me grounded, so I don’t totally spiral out of control and lose my mind. Every time I glance at her, she gives me this small, reassuring smile that somehow manages to calm the storm raging within me.
Her words echo in my mind: “You’re important to me, too.” I close my eyes briefly, as if trying to burn the memory of that moment into my mind. I almost lost it back there, but Chloe, she saved me. Not just from my family, but from myself.
“So…did you figure out a listing for that picky client of yours?” I ask at length, breaking the silence between us. I need a distraction of some kind. I don’t want to think about Bethany or my family anymore.
Chloe chuckles lightly. “Yeah, I did. You won’t believe it, but he ended up falling in love with the first property I showed him.”
“Really?” I respond with a grin.
“He couldn’t stop talking about the vintage chandelier in the dining room.” Chloe’s infectious laugh fills the car again, and I can’t help but smile.
We continue to chat aimlessly as I drive to my house. Our conversation is lighthearted and comforting, exactly what I need right now.
“I’m glad you were there tonight,” I say. “I wouldn’t have survived that without you.”
She blushes at my words and looks away, but not before I catch a glimpse of a shy smile on her face. It brings me a strange sense of satisfaction knowing that I can make her smile like that.
When we finally pull up outside my place, the glow from inside is a warm and welcoming sight. Chloe lets go of my hand to unbuckle her seatbelt, but I catch her wrist gently before she can withdraw completely.
“Stay,” I blurt out, and my throat feels suddenly dry. “You don’t have to, I mean. Just if you want to.”
She gives me a long look before a soft smile graces her lips. “Of course, Parker.”
We get out of the car and head into the house. I’m still chatting away because a part of me is afraid of the silence. Without the distraction, I know I’ll just start thinking of my family again.
“What do you think about having a movie night?” I ask as we kick off our shoes in the entryway and move in to the living room. “Or do you like video games? I’ve got Mario Kart.”
She suddenly turns to face me and presses a hand against my chest, tilting her head back to meet my gaze. “Parker, what do you need?”
“What?” I reply, taken aback by the question. “What do you mean?”
“Right now, in this moment, what do you need most?”
What do I need? I’m almost too afraid to tell her. What if she thinks I’m a heartless asshole? That I’m only using her? I don’t want that, and yet, she’s giving me a look that’s so full of compassion and understanding that I can’t help but want to unburden myself to her entirely.
