Page 58 of Special Delivery

“Yeah, you still need to explain the room mix-up,” Wes adds.

“Our rooms shared a bathroom.” I clear my throat. “And they were pretty identical to each other.” Why is my heart pounding? “Turns out she thought my room was hers, and I might have seen more than she planned.”

Despite my vague description, my mind plays out the entire scene in vivid detail. I grit my teeth together, trying to stop my blood from heading south.

“Whew, that’s some romance book shit.” Parker licks the grease off his fingers, shaking his head. “I’m scared our book will fall short after that story.”

I let out a chuckle. “Don’t worry. In this romance book, our parents are the only ones who’re getting the happy ending.”

Parker smirks, and I realize my mistake a second too late. “Oh, I’m sure they get plenty of happy endings.”

“Not what I meant. And ew.” I roll my eyes. “Just that it’s the end of my story with Paige.”

“Was it bad?” Parker asks, before correcting himself. “Of course it wasn’t bad, you’re practically glowing.”

Yes. If by bad he means life-changing. Something you think about on your deathbed. “Neither of us is looking for anything right now.”

Parker shrugs like that makes perfect sense, but Wes starts his own interrogation. “You like her?”

I hesitate for a beat, not because I don’t know the answer to the question, but because I’m not sure how much I want to tell them. Still, I opt for the truth. “Yes.”

“You had fun?”

I nod.

“And the situation didn’t cause you more stress? In fact, your head was better?”

“Yeah…”

“What’s the problem, then?” Wes leans back, crossing an ankle over the other.

“Yeah, man. Go get your happy ending,” Parker adds.

“You know I’m nowhere near ready to be in a relationship. It’s the last thing she’d want, too,” I respond.

“You could still have fun.” Wes shrugs. “Nothing more has to come out of it.”

“I’m sorry, have I entered a parallel universe? Why is Parker mentioning happy endings and you’re talking about no-strings attached sex?”

Parker’s eyes widen, like he’s shocked by my statement. “You’re right. These books must be playing with my mind.”

“I just think that you need to let out the stress somehow. It might as well be sex,” Wes says.

“I fully endorse Wes’ suggestion, which is not something I thought I’d be doing regarding anyone’s sex life.”

Wes lets out an annoyed breath. “You know nothing about my sex life, Parker.”

“And whose fault is that, Wes?” Parker lobs back.

I have half a mind to stop them, but I don’t mind the reprieve from their attention. They go back and forth for a few more minutes, while I finish my meal and try to clean my hands off with a napkin. When I realize it’s not working, I head for Parker’s under-mounted stone sink. The dish soap helps remove the grease from my skin, and I dry my hands off on a dishrag when Parker brings in his snack platter and places it on the kitchen island.

“Now, gentlemen, are we ready for the main course?”

“Main course? I’m stuffed,” I respond.

Parker casts an aggravated look. “The main course is, of course, the book discussion.” Returning to the living room, he searches the shelf under his TV, extracting three blue folders. “If you don’t mind, I have prepared some materials for us.”

He hands us each a folder. Wes is the first one to open his. “You made us worksheets?”