Epilogue 1

EPILOGUE 1

Ranger

"Parker, this isn't where I expected you to take me when you said we were going on a date." Ava rolls her eyes as she looks around the laundromat where we first met.

"Don't call me Parker." I open the door, motioning for her to go in. "And I never said it was a date either. All I said to you was I needed to wash the slipcover I keep on my couch in the trailer because of Karli." I remind her, as we walk all the way in.

She gives me an indulgent smile. "I guess it's okay considering you don't want to ruin my washer, and you saved my own couch from her DIY project by offering your trailer for it."

I groan, as I look at the paint that has been promised to be able to be cleaned. I'm having my doubts, but I'm a man who is set in my ways and likes what he likes. I've never been able to find a slipcover like this since, and I'd like to save it if I can. "I have this feeling when she gets old enough to have her own house or apartment, I'm going to walk in and it's going to be filled with all kinds of projects. There's probably going to be paintings and sewing that she's done on her own. She's so creative, and I never want to stifle that, but at the same time, she's destructive."

"Don't you talk about that baby." Ava crosses her arms over her chest. "She's cute as can be."

There needs to be another guy in this family as soon as possible. I'm constantly getting into situations I wouldn't typically get myself into because I don't want to tell any of the ladies no. "She is, but she totally takes advantage. She even knows it." I defend myself, as I load the washing machine. "Either way, I'm going to do whatever she wants anyway."

Once I have the slipcover in and have started the cycle, I look over at her.

"I never thought I'd be back here, not that I didn't think I'd never have to use a laundromat again, but I hoped I'd never have to be in this one again." She pushes a hand through her hair.

"Is it okay that you're here with me though?" I lift her up onto the table, and then push myself up next to her.

"It is." She rests her head on my shoulder. "I'm happy to be wherever you are, Parker." She throws a wink my way.

I reach over, hooking my arm around her neck. "I swear to god, I didn't tell you my real name so that you could throw it around everywhere. No one knew my name before I told you."

"What can I say? I've got a big mouth, and you tend to love it."

Rolling my eyes toward Heaven, I lean down and pop a kiss on her lips. "Sure do. As much as I love you." We don't say it very often because that's not who we are, but I love the way her face heats, and eyes sparkle.

Her cheeks pinken, eyes shine bright. "Love you too, Ranger. I can't wait to see where this life we're building together leads us."

I can't either, but I know that as long as we're together, then it's going to be right where I want to be.