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We laughed before Waylynn turned us away from the group. We walked up to the bar and Waylynn motioned for me to order.
The bartender gave me a smile, his eyes falling to my cleavage and then back up to my eyes.
“Are you able to make a Death in the Afternoon?”
“Jesus, you do need a drink,” Waylynn laughed.
“I am,” the bartender said. “Is that what you’d like, ma’am?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
I turned to look at Waylynn, who was wearing a smug smile.
“What?”
She half shrugged. “That’s a pretty powerful drink.”
I shot her my own smug grin. “I’ll take baby sips. Besides, I need it.”
The bartender slid the drink over to me then looked at Waylynn. “Long Island Iced Tea.”
After making Waylynn her cocktail, the bartender told us to enjoy the evening. We held up our drinks and Waylynn made a toast.
“To having you home again.”
My smile faltered a bit before I pulled it together. The last few weeks I had wrestled with my decision to come back to Oak Springs. It was home, and I had wanted to return for so long. Now that I was here, though, my heart ached more and more.
I forced the words out. “To being home.”
We each took a drink, and I let the burn of the alcohol run down my throat all the way to my stomach.
Shit. I probably should have actually eaten something today besides the one pancake this morning.
“Come on, my mother is going to want to see you.”
I nodded. “Who is watching Liberty?”
“Lori, Paxton’s babysitter she uses for the kids. Liberty is up in my old bedroom sound asleep. She goes down pretty early, so Lori really only has to deal with Chloe and Gage.”
“It’s nice the kids can all stay here at the house.”
“It is,” Waylynn agreed.
As we approached the rest of the Parker women, I was struck by how beautiful each of them were. The way the lights danced off each of their faces I swore they looked like angels.
Amelia wore a stunning green gown that showed off her long red curls. Half of her hair was pinned up and the rest was left to flow freely around her shoulders. Paxton wore a red gown that was completely backless. I had to wonder how Steed managed to let her out of the house dressed so sexy. If those two were anything like they were back in high school, I wouldn’t be surprised if Steed snuck a little playtime in before they left the house.
Corina was dressed in a gorgeous teal gown that showed off her baby bump and her amazing figure.
Christ above. I hope when I’m pregnant I look that good.
Melanie wore a stunning white gown that hugged her body in all the right ways. The woman was like my mother; they could both pass for being much younger than they were.
“Oh hell, hold onto your drink. Here’s Aunt Vi.”
I turned to see Vi walking toward Melanie. There was a man next to her with his hand around her waist. He looked younger than me.
“Is that…”
“Her date. Yes.”
I giggled. “He looks like he’s Amelia’s age.”
Waylynn tilted her head and studied the man. “If that.”
We laughed and Melanie turned to us as we approached.
Her mouth opened and her eyes quickly swept over me before our gaze locked.
“Lord above. Harley Carbajal, you look beautiful. Every man in this room must have had their tongues to the floor when you walked in.”
I felt my cheeks heat.
“That she does,” Vi said, walking up and pulling me into her arms. Her mouth was next to my ear as she said, “Every man in this room is going to have a woody looking at you in that gown.”
I busted out laughing, as the pain radiated in my ribs.
“Good Lord,” Melanie said as she moved Vi out of the way. “Even I heard you, Vi.”
Vi gave me a wink and then looked down at the drink in my hand. When our eyes met, her brow lifted. “Feeling anxious this evening?”
With a smile, I replied, “Slightly.”
“Sweetheart, there is no reason to be nervous.” Melanie looked around. “Where is Toby?” Her question felt forced. Almost like she already knew the answer.
Pulling my lip between my teeth, I bit down for a moment before saying, “I told him I didn’t think things would work out with us.”
Every single Parker woman standing in front of me smiled.
I snarled at them. “Y’all could at least hide your excitement.”
Melanie tilted her head and gave me a sympathetic smile…sort of.
“We’re all very sorry to hear that.” She cleared her throat. “Um, when did this happen?”
My eyes darted among all six of them. “Earlier today.”
“Interesting,” Vi purred before letting out a laugh. “Oh, this evening just got a hell of a lot better.”
Pinching my brows, I started to ask what she meant when Melanie grabbed my hands.
“Like I was saying before, no need to be nervous. Every single man in this place will be fighting for a place on your dance card.”
