Sophie's Playboy

by Natalie J. Damschroder

  He was getting more than his share of that lately.

  * * * *

  Sophie fussed with the full skirt of her halter-style sundre

  Her sandals had slight heels and she hoped they wouldn't mak

  She studied her makeup. Light, in a concession to the heat.

  "Sophie, darling!"

  She blew out a breath. "Happy Fourth, Mom."

  "I just couldn't let the day go by without talking to you. W

  Her mother rambled on. Sophie tried to decide if the call wa

  "Anyway, enough about all that. I wish you were coming home,

  "And now I'm the only bird away from the nest and you worry

  "Okay, well, have a great time, enjoy the Cape—I wish we wer

  "Thanks, Mom, I will. Bye!"

  Sophie eased the phone down and let it drop into the cradle.

  The next five minutes seemed interminable. She gave up on th

  No, she didn't. She stalked to the bedroom to grab the fooli

  She was old enough to stop looking for an interesting time w

  She stopped pacing and paused in the middle of her living ro

  The doorbell rang and she was relieved to find that her puls

  "Parker." She swallowed hard against the dryness in her thro

  Maybe she should just sleep with him and be done with it.

  "Sophie." His once-over took her in from the top of her loos

  She shook her head as she stepped out and locked the door be

  "You're forgiven." His eyes blazed briefly, then they were w

  "No giant ego-mobile today?"

  Parker grinned at her as he opened her door. "No, just the l

  Once Parker was settled in the driver's seat, Sophie asked,

  "Sure. But it's just as stereotypical that women dig 'em."

  She tossed her hands. "I give up."

  "We should do a show on the topic," he said.

  Sophie itched for a pad. "You're right!"

  "Under the seat."

  She looked at him. "What?"

  "There's paper under the seat."

  Sophie reached down and immediately found a leather folio wi

  "Theme. Stereotypes or men's egos?"

  "Ha. Stereotypes."

  She wrote it at the top of the page and underlined it. She l

  "We've got men and cars as one."

  "Women and men and cars."

  "Women can't drive," Sophie offered, writing as fast as they

  "Men are too aggressive on the road."

  "Truck drivers and all the things they supposedly do wrong."

  "Road crews," Parker offered, pointing to a quiet work area

  "State workers in general."

  They brainstormed for another ten miles before they ran out

  "Tell me about your family," she said, after tucking the pad

  Parker's hands flexed on the wheel. "Well, you're meeting mo

  "Trophy wife?"

  "Undoubtedly. She's younger than I am and doesn't like to be

  "How come?"

  He lifted a shoulder. "More stereotypes, I guess? Biff is a

  "Are you talking about the name or the Senior?"

  He glanced at her. "Perceptive. My father epitomizes 'Biff.'

  "You don't now?"

  "No." The answer came quickly and without elaboration. Sophi

  "What happened to your mother?"

  Parker frowned. "Why do you keep assuming people are dead?"

  "Because you keep talking about them in past tense!"

  He sighed. "Mother is remarried to a count or something and

  Sheesh, the man had family problems. "What happened between

  He shrugged again, this time in a very European manner. "I'm

  "So you have a young stepmother," she prompted.

  Sophie could see real affection in his smile. "Fawn's a swee

  "How old were you when your father remarried?"

  "Which time?"

  "Oh."

  "Yeah, 'oh' pretty much says it all. Mom and Dad divorced wh

  He quieted, and Sophie wasn't sure if she should pry any mor

  "I guess you felt pretty abandoned."

  He nodded slowly. "I guess I did. I don't think I've used th

  "How come you haven't seen her? I mean, you don't sound like

  His face hardened. "Oh, I blame her. Not for leaving us. I u

  Ouch, Sophie thought. I guess he doesn't now.

  "I blame her for not coming home. Not sending for us for a v

  "Did she have more children?"

  "No."

  Sophie reached across the gearshift and rested her hand on h

  "You only know half of it." But they were pulling into the l

  "Nervous?" Parker asked. He parked the Porsche instead of le

  "No. In my old job I had to meet crowds of strangers on a re

  To her surprise, though, she knew much of the crowd. Dave, o

  "Love your show, Soph!" was a common refrain, as was "When y

  "So you're a dabbler," she commented when they were momentar

  "I guess you can call me that." Parker lifted a chilled shri

  Sophie grinned, then turned that into a polite smile for the

  "Ah, Sophie Macgregor. The Mouth of Boston, or something lik

  She really hoped he wasn't coming on to her.

  Sophie retrieved her hand and turned her polite smile to the

  "Thank you so much for making the trip out here. It's lovely

  Parker snorted behind Sophie, then turned it into a throat-c

  "Thank you for having me, Mrs. Cornwall."

  Fawn tittered. "Oh, please, call me Fawn. There are four oth

  "Where's your sister? And the boys? She promised to come."

  "She will, Dad. She'll be here. You know it can be crazy try

  From the look on his face, Sophie suspected Biff knew no suc

  "She could have help." He scowled and motioned to a waiter p

  "Mare wants to raise her kids on her own, Dad."

  They each took a glass. Sophie noticed she was the only one

  "If it weren't for that no good jerk she married..."

  "Old refrain, Dad. Here she comes." He pointed with his glas

  And the boys crashed into Sophie. They wrapped their arms ar

  "Hey, guys! Boy, do you look spiffy!" She hugged them both,

  "Thank you, ma'am." Josh dissolved into giggles as soon as t

  "Well, at least he remembered to try his manners," Mare said

  "Of course, of course. Safety first. This isn't a swimming p

  Then the interrogation began.

  "So," Mare said, casually licking barbeque sauce off her thu

  "I wanted to get to know his family. We work pretty closely

  Fawn tilted her head at her. "You don't have any ... feminin

  Sophie felt herself blush and focused on the German potato s

  Both women burst out laughing.

  "Sophie, dear." Mare laid her hand on Sophie's shoulder. "Th

  "Every woman has a feminine interest in Parker," Fawn said.

  Sophie waited until they'd stopped chuckling. "I won't say P

  "I hope you're not lying to yourself that way."

  Sophie frowned. "I like you, but you're starting to sound li

  Mare grinned. "Good. I want to be."

  Shocked, Sophie only stared. "What do you mean? You hardly k

  "Parker talks about you all the time." Mare finally returned

  "So you see why Parker and I would never work, then."

  "Why not?"

  Sophie waved her fork. "You just explained it. I can't chang

  "Ron."

  "Ron. Parker doesn't want to get married and have children.

  Fawn looked wistful. "Parker would make such a good father.

  "Parker doesn't want to hurt anyone," Mare agreed. "And, of

  "Why?" Sophie looked over her shoulder at the charismatic ma

  Fawn waggle
d her long red fingernails at her stepdaughter. "

  "I never knew my grandfather," Mare cut in. "How do you know

  "I'm Biff's wife," Fawn said. "Not to be snotty, but I know

  "Anyway, his father was cold and hard, his mother weak and c

  Mare was staring at Fawn. "For a woman everyone considers a

  Sophie gasped, but Fawn chuckled. "I know."

  "Why do you put up with him?"

  She sobered, and the lines Sophie had noticed earlier seemed

  Well, well, well. Complicate the family dynamic some more. S

  Before Mare and Fawn could attack her again, Parker approach

  "You ladies getting along without picking me apart?" He slun

  "Actually, we weren't talking about you at all."

  "Talking about me, then?" Biff's deep voice came from behind

  Fawn held out a hand to Biff. She looked excited. "Let's tel

  Biff grumbled but looked proud as he settled next to Fawn on

  Fawn beamed. Sophie sensed what was coming and tried to move

  Fawn took a deep breath. "We're going to have a baby."

  Shocked silence was clearly not what she expected. Sophie lo

  "You're not happy about that," she said quietly. Before her

  "Nonsense," he boomed. "They'll be thrilled. Just need to ge

  Mare blew out a breath after they'd moved away. "Wow." Parke

  "I suspected. At the anniversary dinner you missed."

  "I wonder how Dad feels about it."

  "He can't be surprised. He knew when he married Fawn that sh

  He abruptly stood and strode away. Sophie looked after him,

  "Give him a minute," Mare advised quietly, "then take him to

  "What about you?"

  "Oh, me." Mare scoffed. "I'm fine. I knew it would happen ev

  Sophie raised her eyebrows and put her hand on her chest. "M

  "Yes, you. He will change for you, Sophie. Some people do. N

  Sophie stared at the tall man ahead of her, at the uncharact

  She went.

  CHAPTER 9

  Sophie stepped slowly across the sloping lawn. Anger grew in

  But when she saw Parker leaning on the rail of the gazebo, s

  "Parker." She came up the steps to his side. He didn't move.

  He shifted, not obviously away from her, but enough so her h

  "What do you mean?"

  Parker pivoted away and started to pace. He seemed to be tal

  Sophie sat on the bench and watched Parker mutter. From what

  "What are you afraid of," she asked abruptly to shut off her

  He stopped pacing. "You've met my father, right? I've told y

  "I know what you fear for the baby. What about you?"

  He blew out his breath and sat next to her. "I really don't

  She blinked back tears and put her hand on top of his, watch

  "That's not what I meant."

  "But you do feel that way, don't you?" When he didn't respon

  Parker stared up the hill toward the party. "She'll have to

  Sophie chewed her lip for a moment, wondering if what she wa

  He frowned at her. "What do you mean?"

  "What if your father has changed? What if he does right by t

  Parker didn't answer. She followed his gaze and saw Biff the

  Sophie sighed. "Never mind."

  After a few minutes of silence, Parker said, "I know what yo

  "Fear of pain is a common trait in your family," Sophie obse

  "Fawn's been talking about my grandfather."

  She leaned against the cushioned back of the bench and cross

  "Isn't that a common trait in the whole human race?" His ton

  "Sure. But there are different ways to handle that fear. Not

  "I don't go to extremes." He interrupted her when she starte

  He was right. "I'm sorry." She leaned against his arm, resti

  She'd hit a nerve, she saw, when his eyes got suspiciously b

  * * * *

  Parker blinked and swallowed to get himself under control. B

  He stood, drawing Sophie up next to him, and turned so they

  "You're welcome," she whispered next to his ear.

  He relaxed his hold and looked down at her. She looked so sw

  Her mouth met his softly, tenderly, as if trying to soothe h

  He wrapped his arms tighter around Sophie and dipped his hea

  A burst of laughter from the up the hill brought them both b

  "Oh, Parker," she breathed.

  "Oh, yes."

  * * * *

  They tried to escape the party, but Biff the Senior wouldn't

  Parker didn't complain. He felt Sophie rebuilding the barrie

  At least he could pretend they were on a date while they sat

  Timmy and Josh rushed over shortly after they'd settled onto

  Parker grinned and reached to tickle Josh. "Soon, guys." Tim

  "Stop! Uncle Parker, I'm too old for that."

  "Okay." Parker let him stand. "But you're not too old for th

  Biff and Fawn settled into Adirondack chairs behind the blan

  Boom!

  Parker turned to the sky and hoped the confusion didn't show

  He should have stayed away from Sophie.

  Timmy leaned against Parker's side, absorbed in the display

  Longing warred with panic. He wanted this, but had known for

  He had to put the brakes on. Immediately.

  * * * *

  Sophie was grateful that Parker didn't try to kiss her when

  "I'm not disappointed," she muttered as she locked the door

  "I would be."

  Sophie yelled and tossed her bag into the air, but automatic

  "My God, Brianna! What the hell are you doing here?" She ben

  Brie leaned against the doorjamb of the living room entryway

  Sophie straightened and glared at her sister. "I hope scarin

  Brie grinned. "Oh, yeah, it was." She followed her sister to

  "You've still got Darcy Langlais, don't you?" The Realtor—an

  Sophie ducked into her bedroom and quickly changed into loun

  "Darcy moved back to Texas last week."

  "What, did she fail at the McDonald's thing?"

  Brie shrugged and stroked Hippo, who was cuddled next to her

  "What do you want me to do about it?" Sophie narrowed her ey

  "I want you to find me a Navy SEAL."

  "Ha!"

  "I'm serious! Kira got Jake, you got your playboy, now I wan

  Sophie shook her head. "First of all, Brie, I don't have my

  "You can't tell me you don't want the traditional crap. You

  "Well, maybe I want it, but I don't crave it, and I don't ne

  "Then why'd you skip a family event to go to Parker's party?

  That one didn't have an easy answer. "I work with him. We're

  "And he couldn't find a date. Right," Brie scoffed.

  Sophie refused to get defensive and tried not to think about

  She stopped, though, realizing she still didn't know why Bri

  Brie didn't look up from the dog. "No. I took the week off.

  "Why?"

  "Because I'm a great bookkeeper," Brianna tried.

  "No, why did you take the week off? Why are you here? And do

  "I just needed a break, okay? I'm flying to L.A. tomorrow an

  Sophie stared at her sister. Despite being the youngest, Bri

  "Why L.A.?"

  Brie stood and tried to grin impishly again. "I want to see

  Sophie just looked at her.

  "All right. It's just a city with lots to do, okay? I've nev

  Sophie watched the door slam and wondered about the hurt in

  "No."

  Sophie heard running water and the scrubbing of teeth being

  Spit. "I don't know. It's an open-ended return ticket."

  Whoa. Sophi
e didn't know what else to say, so she went to he

  She was mad at Parker for being scared and wary yet drawing

  She yanked clothes out of the dresser and stomped into her s

  That was it. Connection. She took a corner too fast and lift

  No reason at all.

  She pulled into a parking place at the station and grinned.

  Parker had better watch out.

  * * * *

  Parker beat Sophie to the station for once. He'd skipped his

  He was in his cubicle—which never ceased to amuse him—when S

  He looked up at Sophie, laughing at him, hand out to help hi

  "Problem, Parker?" The laugh was still in her voice when she

  He'd never seen Sophie dressed like that before. She'd worn

  Today she looked like she'd just gotten out of bed. Parker w

  "Stereotypes?"

  Parker shook his head but his brain didn't clear. "Huh?"

  Sophie's smile turned self-satisfied. Ah. Ego. Stereotypes.

  "Yes, stereotypes. Today's theme." He half sat on the edge o

  He cleared his throat. "Uh, not sure how stereotypes will wo

  "Anti-stereotypes. We can have them tell us about people who

  "I presume you mean you?" He barely restrained himself from

  "Yeah. I was always the riler." She started flipping through

  "The riler?"

  "The troublemaker. Dropping bombshells, spreading gossip, st

  "Used to?" Parker was barely following the conversation. He

  He had to snap out of this.

  Sophie stood and jingled some change in her hand. "Want a so

  "Uh, no, thanks." But he followed her to the break room.

  "I've been too busy since R&R started to keep up with things

  "Allow me." Parker fed a nickel into the machine and felt ab

  "Thanks. Anyway, anti-stereotypes."

  And she was off. Parker managed to stuff his tongue back in

  Melina strode over from the production office and waved a sh

  Parker and Sophie groaned in unison. "Not more hotel ads, I

  He reined himself in. He wasn't going to be her lover. He'd

  But every time he glanced at her today it was all he could t

  They confiscated the tiny conference room and Melina started

  Sophie was already shaking her head. "A paid rave? I can't d

  "Why not?"

  She sat back and folded her arms. "It interferes with the sp

  "Our show," Parker broke in, "but it won't, not the way we'l

  Melina turned on her "soothe the talent" voice. "We'll go to

  "How is it different from the recorded ads?" Parker asked So

  Sophie dropped her arms and leaned forward. Thank God.