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Three hours later, I have furniture bought and scheduled for delivery later today. I have a couple of gifts for Parker that are really more for me, but also for her. Now all I need is a few gifts just for her, a trip to the store to grab some food, and the essentials like blankets and sheets, and a trash can and trash bags.
With my hat pulled low to try to hide my identity, I pull open the doors to the mall and set out to finish my shopping. My parents were easy. I bought them a vacation like I have the past two years. They’ve done so much for me, and they work hard. I want to spoil them. In March, they will be married for twenty-five years. I bought them a trip to Italy. It’s prepaid through a travel agent, and all they have to do is call and schedule it. The agent knows to spare no expense and to give them what they want, and I’ll pay whatever the difference might be.
“Holden?” I turn to see Autumn walking toward me.
“Hey. Where’s my girl?” I ask, looking behind her.
“She’s here. We split up. Not going so well?” she asks.
“Actually, it’s going great. This is my final stop to grab Parker a few more things.”
“Need some ideas?”
“I have a feeling you’re going to give me some anyway.” I laugh.
“Actually, no. Not unless you need them. I’m kind of interested to see what you come up with on your own.”
“I’ve got this,” I assure her.
“I’m sure you do.”
“Fancy seeing you here.” I turn to look at the person who owns the voice who is always in my head.
I don’t say a word. Instead, I bend and capture her lips with mine. “Hey, sweet pea,” I finally say, pulling out of the kiss.
“You’re going to draw a crowd,” she whispers.
“Don’t care,” I say, wrapping my arm around her shoulders and pulling her close.
“Did you buy it?” Autumn asks.
“Nah, I don’t need it.”
“Need what?”
“Oh, nothing. I was just looking at a coat.”
“Show me.”
“No.”
“Come on, show me.”
“Not happening, Bailey. I was just admiring it. I have way too many coats, and I don’t need it.”
“But you want it.”
“I was admiring,” she says again, shaking her head.
“Fine,” I grumble. I kiss her again softly. “I need to go get my shopping done so I can spend some time with you.”
“We’re done here and headed back to our place.”
“Damn,” I mutter. “I still have to go grab some groceries, a trash can, trash bags, that kind of shit.”
“I can do that for you.”
“Are you sure?”
“I don’t have anything else going on until you’re done anyway.”
“I thought you had presents to wrap?”
“I finished.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?” I ask, already reaching into my pocket for a credit card. I hand it to her. “Take this. We need pretty much everything.”
“What about what you’re moving here from your old place?”
“Hand-me-downs from my mom when I moved in.” I shrug. “So, yeah, dishes, pots and pans, spices, all that shit, including food. We need it all.”
“We?” Autumn asks.
I turn to look at my girl. “Me and Parker.” I kiss her again. “There’s no limit on the card, baby. You’ve seen the house, so go crazy. Oh, and I need king bedsheets and a comforter set too.”
“Gee, is that all? Holden, I can’t pick out everything in your house.”
“You’re not. I ordered furniture today that’s being delivered later, so you’re actually helping me so I can get this done and be there for the delivery. I was going to have to go back out to get what you’re picking up for me.” One more quick kiss and I force myself to step back.
“Are you sure about this?” she asks.
Another step back. “Positive. Thank you, sweet pea, you’re doing me a solid. Take your time. I have a couple of hours left of shopping before I have to meet the furniture delivery.” With a wave, I turn on my heel and let my feet carry me in the opposite direction. I have to wrap this up and get home. Hopefully, I can get this all set up before she gets there. Hopefully, she takes my little “take your time” to heart.
CHAPTER 19
Parker
“Did that just happen?” I ask Autumn.
“Yep.”
“Okay. Well, I guess I have some more shopping to do. Do you want me to take you home and come back?”
“Are you kidding me? I want to be here for this.”
“Be here for what?” a deep voice asks, and I know without turning around, it’s my dad. My face heats because I have yet to tell my parents about Holden. Sure, Paisley knows, but I know my big sister, and she didn’t tell them. They both would have been blowing up my phone if that were the case.
“Duchess?” Dad says.
Schooling my features, I turn to face him. “Hey, Daddy.” I smile and wrap my arms around him in a hug. “What are you doing here?” I ask, stepping back.
