Finding Mr. Write (Business of Love #5) - Ali Parker Page 0,86

we set up the guest room with new linens, candles (of course), and some complimentary items like skincare, toiletries, slippers, and robes.

I’d become so used to an easy lifestyle with dispensable money but this was all new to Briar, so being able to go all out for her family had been special for her. I’d caught her sitting in the guest room crying yesterday morning because she was so grateful.

I’d had to pinch myself to make sure all of this was real. What had I done to deserve a woman like her?

We moved down the hall toward the kitchen.

“We have your bedroom all set up,” Briar told her parents. “There are some nice little extras on the bed for you for later. Honestly, staying here is like staying at a hotel.”

“Your home is stunning, Wes,” Marilyn said.

“Very impressive,” her husband added as we emerged in the kitchen.

I offered everyone a glass of wine and received nods from everyone. I poured the glasses and we gathered around the kitchen island as I made a toast. “Here’s to family,” I said.

“And being together,” Briar said.

Marilyn smiled and raised her glass. “To new beginnings.”

“And good food.” Walter grinned.

Briar giggled. “Daddy, your priorities never change.”

Marilyn smiled lovingly up at her husband and I was reminded of the way Briar had looked at me.

“What’s more important than family and food?” Walter asked.

“Not a damn thing.” I chuckled.

“Amen.” Walter nodded. “Amen.”

And just like that, I felt like my house had become a home.

Chapter 37

Briar

Despite a late night last night, I woke early on Friday morning. The sun was shining and birds were chirping outside Wes’s bedroom window—our bedroom window. I stretched, yawned, and cuddled deep under the covers after rolling over to face Wes.

He was sleeping on his back. His face was turned away from me and I could see his pulse fluttering just under his jawline. I smiled and cupped one hand under my cheek as I watched him sleep.

Last night had been the definition of perfection.

Dinner went off without a hitch. Every dish was delicious, and so was the wine, which we all nursed well into the early hours of the morning while sitting by the fireplace in the living room. Mom and Dad told Wes and me all about their travels and the places they’d go back to and suggested we try to visit ourselves. Places like Croatia, Singapore, Ireland, and Italy.

Wes and I had recounted the events that led to us getting together and me moving in. I’d been a little concerned about what my parents might think because of how quickly things had moved along, but I didn’t detect any notes of concern from their place on the sofa as they listened intently. I did notice how diligently my father paid attention to Wes, and I assumed he was calculating whether or not he was a good enough man for his baby girl.

I suspected by the way the pair of them drank well into the night and laughed like teenage boys that Wes had received the stamp of approval.

We had enough leftovers to last us about a month and I planned on making everyone leftover turkey sandwiches with a cup of tea later this afternoon for lunch. For now, however, I wanted to take things slow and have a leisurely start to the day.

It was already off to a good start as I lay all cozy in bed watching the man of my dreams dream.

I heard no sounds of movement down the hall where my parents’ room was. They were likely still sleeping and I hoped when they woke up, they took advantage of the rain shower in the attached bathroom and the plush robes Wes and I had left out for them before they made their way downstairs for coffee.

Coffee, I thought.

That sounded good.

Quietly and carefully, I extracted myself from the bed. I threw on a pair of sweatpants, sneakers, and one of Wes’s shirts before slipping out the bedroom, silently shutting the door and padding as quietly as I could down the hall and the stairs to the front door. I put on one of my heavy jackets and a pair of sneakers, slung my purse over my shoulder, and snuck out, looking an absolute mess, into the cold November air.

I hurried down the sidewalk three blocks and took a left. I’d discovered the little coffee shop around the corner a few days after I moved in with Wes, and we’d made a pact that we’d only go there