I nod, then pull my hand from Landon’s so I can stand. He rolls off the edge of the bed and looks into my eyes before taking my face in his hands and kissing me softly. My stomach flutters wildly, and when he breaks the kiss, we turn to go find Parker.
In the living room, they’re standing in front of an easel, a canvas lying across it. I twine my fingers with Landon’s, joining Parker behind the canvas.
I take in the painting, cocking my head to the side.
“This is what I was working on tonight,” Parker says softly, dragging their fingers across the black paint covering almost every surface of the canvas.
Landon squeezes my fingers. “What’s it supposed to be, Lovebug?”
Parker gives him a sad smile. “I’m surprised you’re asking. Usually you’re so good at figuring out my colors.”
“Usually your colors aren’t like… this,” I say softly, eyes roaming the painting.
With a sigh, Parker drops their hand. “Yeah…” They clear their throat. “I don’t think I realized how much my fear was holding me back. Fear of letting people in. Fear of trusting people with who I really am. Even with Darcy.”
Landon tightens his fingers on mine, then lets go of my hand to go stand on the other side of Parker. They blindly reach for my hand, and I slip my fingers through theirs as they lean into Landon’s side.
I want to beg them to look at us. To let us see their eyes, but I won’t. If looking away makes it easier for them to get words out, I won’t stand in the way of that.
“I present this front, like nothing bothers me, and like I don’t care about most things, but it’s not true. I feel things.” They choke out a laugh. “God, I feel things so deeply, you know?”
Pressing a kiss to Parker’s temple, Landon sighs. “Anyone who has the honor of looking at your paintings knows that, Lovebug. It would be impossible to create something like this without feeling it.”
I catch a slight tremble in their bottom lip, and my heart lurches.
“So, I painted this earlier. It’s ugly.”
I shake my head. “It’s not ugly.”
“It is,” Parker says quickly. “But it’s a manifestation of my feelings about Lincoln, so itshouldbe ugly.” When they turn to look at me, their eyes are glassy. “I needed him gone.” Turning back to the painting, they shrug. “And this is what came out.”
“Do you feel better?” Landon asks softly.
Parker laughs, but it turns into a slightly choked sound. “Yeah, actually. He’s been in my heart, infecting me, and now he’s gone.”
I bite my lip hard. “I’m happy for you, Cotton Candy.”
They take a deep breath, looking up at Landon and then at me. “I think I’m falling in love with you both too. I’m kind of afraid, though, so please be patient with me. The last time I fell in love, it didn’t go so well for me.”
Landon and I both step forward at the same time, wrapping Parker tightly in our arms. They’re smooshed between us, face buried against my chest.
“Of course, Lovebug.”
“Always,” I whisper.
Parker nods. “Thank you.”
Landon swallows hard enough that I can hear it. “After Thanksgiving at your parents’ house, I wanna go talk to my mom.”
“Okay,” Parker says softly. “No matter what, we’ll have your back.”
“Always,” I whisper again.
Chapter 24
Parker
Iopen the door to Darcy’s smiling face.
