“Hey,” Lan and I both echo.
“Everything okay in here?”
I nod. “Just wanted to check on Lan and make sure everything was okay.”
Ben closes the door behind him and walks across the room, kneeling at our feet. “Andiseverything okay?”
“Perfect,” Landon says, smiling at him.
I have to agree.
Chapter 28
Benson
After showing me their walls of paintings, Parker leads us out of their bedroom and back into the living room.
This house is so cool. I’ve never seen anything like it. Outside of the crystal collection, Liz has tapestries hanging from nearly every wall. All the furniture is low to the ground. To create a peaceful, calm environment, she’d said, a small grin tugging at her lips.
Parker looks so much like her. They have the same bright blue eyes and white-blond hair. The same slope to their noses, and even a similar bone structure. She’s adorable, and I love her to pieces already.
Plus, she’s already won major points with me by affirming Landon the way she did. “What’s your dad’s name?” I ask, glancing at Parker.
“Bob.”
Landon and I both burst into laughter. “Are you fucking with me?”
Parker shakes their head, a bemused grin on their lips. “No? Why would I fuck with you about that?”
I narrow my eyes. “You’ve gotta be lying. What kind of person is all woo-woo and the universe this and crystals that and is named Bob?”
Parker shrugs, a smile dancing on their gorgeous face. “My dad.”
Landon chuckles. “His name is really Bob?”
“Yes.” Parker laughs. “What’s so hard to believe about this?”
“Baby,” I say, trying to reason with them. “Bob.Bob. Bob is married to the hippie woman with a living room full of healing crystals?”
At this point, Parker is nearly doubled over. “Yes. I really don’t know what to tell you. Although, Iwillconcede that he was largely normal until he met my mom. Worked a corporate suit-and-tie job even.”
“Seriously?” Landon asks, laughing.
“Seriously.” I nearly jump out of my skin, turning around and coming face-to-face with a middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair and tanned skin. “The universe works in mysterious ways. You have to listen when She talks to you.”
“See!” Parker nearly shouts. “Itoldyou. Did I not say almost those exact same words?”
“It’s nice to meet you. Yes, I am indeed Bob.” Parker’s dad holds his hand out, so I step forward to shake it.
“It’s nice to meet you too. I’m Ben.”
“And I’m Landon,” Lan says, stepping up beside me and shaking Bob’s hand when I’m done. “I’m sorry if we made you upset.”
Oh, my heart.
Bob laughs. “Not at all. It’s true. I was just a lonely man in a suit and tie until my Liz came storming into my life.”
“Your Liz could use some help in the kitchen,” she shouts out of sight, and Bob’s eyes light up.
