Page 31 of Liberating Water

After a few moments, we pulled out of the garage and headed into town. I’d always liked Drittilyn and how quaint it was, but add snow and Christmas decorations, and it was straight out of a picture you would find on a Christmas card. The shops looked so cheerful with the ribbons, evergreen, and shimmering ornaments that I couldn’t help but smile. Parker found a spot at the end of town furthest from where we wanted to go, a not-so-subtle plan to keep us out longer. Opening my door, I waited for Parker to round the truck so I could use him to get down. Resting my hands on his shoulders, I felt his hands wrap around my hips, guiding me down as I slid from my seat.

“Did you do that on purpose so you would have to manhandle any girl you let in or out?” I asked with raised brow.

Parker looked back at the truck, then me, with a surprisingly soft expression. “You are the first woman to ever ride in Roxy. I don’t even think all the guys have ridden in her before. When I say that truck is important to me, I mean that. So no, this is not some chick-mobile, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

I was so shocked my mouth fell open, unable to come up with something to say. Taking my hand, Parker threaded his fingers between mine, and we headed off down the street. We had a blast popping in and out of random little shops, and of course Parker needed to stop by his favorite candy place and get a one-pound bag full of sweets.

“I can’t believe you haven’t had a Kinder egg before. They are the best! You get candy and a prize all in one!” Parker said, walking backwards so he could look me in the face. “If you’re willing to share some of your cookies with me, then I will gladly give you a Kinder egg all of your own—I’ll even let you keep the prize.”

“You drive a hard bargain, Parker. I’ll have to see you eat one to show me that it’s worth giving up one of my treasured sugar cookies,” I teased.

Parker gaped at me, clutching his chest. “You doubt my word? Don’t you know by now that I would never steer you wrong, Lailah?”

“Of course I trust you, silly, but I still don’t know if your taste in sweets is compatible with mine. This could be a make-it-or-break-it moment for us,” I answered sarcastically.

Parker stopped suddenly, and I crashed into him as he quickly wrapped his arms around me, holding me safely against his chest. Peering up at him, I was shocked to see that he had a worried look in his eyes. “Lailah, do you trust me? I’m not talking the way you trust a friend. I mean do you truly trust me enough to give a piece of your heart to me?”

Taken aback by this dramatic turn of events, I couldn’t seem to answer him right away. Seeing my hesitation, an expression of hurt flickered across his face, and he leaned down, resting his forehead against mine, taking a few deep breaths. After a moment, he released me and took a step back, turning to head down the street.

“Wait, Parker,” I blurted, grabbing his coat to keep him from walking away from me. “I do trust you. I’m sorry I hesitated, but you caught me off guard, so I froze. Ever since the first day I met you, you have been nothing but kind, caring, and understanding. Any time I have been unsure or too scared to try something, you are right there by my side to help me through it, and then the first to celebrate with me when I discover something new. I wouldn’t have been able to get this far without you—so to answer your question, yes, I do trust you.”

Parker turned back to me and brushed his thumb along my cheek. “You don’t trust me the way I want you to—hell, need you to—but maybe someday I’ll prove to you that you can.” Wrapping an arm around my shoulder, he pulled me against his side as he opened the door to Anne’s bakery. “Come on, Trouble. We have some sugar cookies to buy.”