The Personal Shopper

by T. L. Quinn

  Parker: Tell me to not come over.

  Me: I never wanted you to leave in the first place.

  Parker: Yeah...me neither.

  I can’t tell if Parker is just talking about tonight or back then as well. I guess I really should ask him about it when we finally go on our date. Why does he seem so into me now, but back then he just up and left? I mean, sure, I was young back then, but was that really the only reason?

  I blow out a breath and set my phone back on the nightstand, and then I drift off to sleep imaging all the different ways Parker is going to make me moan.

  Chapter 11

  Ava

  Work is crazy the next day. My morning started off pretty normal with approving some social media posts and pulling together the right contacts for our next event. Then at 9 a.m., Shana came running into my office. “We’ve got a code red!”

  I look up at her and laugh. “What’s that mean? We don’t use codes here.”

  She comes around my desk and pulls up my internet browser. “What are you looking for?”

  She pushes me out of the way a little more to be able to type faster. “The article that just came out about Chase Daniels.”

  That gets my attention. Chase is one of the main sales guys, but he is known for being a heavy partier. He doesn’t usually get that much attention, but occasionally he’ll do soemthing extra dumb and will end up on some gossip website. Of course, then the larger publishing companies will use the information to write a smear piece on the company as a whole.

  I try to look past Shana to the article. “Oh no. What did he do this time?”

  “Rumor has it, he was seen kissing 5 different women while he was out Saturday night.”

  I just slap my hand over my face. “C’mon Chase. How many times do I have to tell that bastard to keep his manwhoreness out of the public eye.”

  The article loads and sure enough they have picture evidence of Chase with all the different women. Apparently, two of the women were even best friends and didn’t know both of them had kissed him until later that night when they found him with yet another different girl.

  I blow out a breath. “Well, at least they only caught him kissing these women.” I look over to Shana. “How many girls do you think ended up at his place? Oh god. Hopefully, none of them talk.”

  Shana just shakes her head. “The ones who make it to his place don’t usually talk. Rumor is he is very good at satisfying once he actually chooses you. It’s just all the scorn wannabes that cause this trouble for us.”

  I just laugh. “Remind me to tell my dad no more hiring womanizing super hot sales dudes.”

  Parker walks into the office just then. “What’s this about a super hot sales dude?”

  I blow out a breath. “Someone we are probably going to be spending a lot of time with over the next week.”

  Shana gets a call and walks out of my office to answer it.

  Parker leans in close to me. “We or you?”

  I smirk at him. “I guess it depends on how much you let me buy. Why? You jealous?”

  Parker glances over my shoulder to the article on the screen. “I’ll let you buy whatever you want as long as you are never alone with Chase fucking Daniels.”

  I smile and lean back in my chair. “I take it you know him?”

  Parker grunts. “Unfortunately, I’ve had the luxury of being in the same room as Chase a few times.”

  I sigh again. “Yeah, he’s one of the few repeat offenders we have in this department.”

  Parker looks at me and narrows his eyes. “So you’ve worked together before?”

  I sigh again. “Well, I don’t want to admit it now since he is once again back in the doghouse. That can’t be good for my resume.”

  Parker gives me a small smile. “Well, he still works here, so you obviously did a good enough job to make it blow over.”

  “Yeah, we need to get ahead of this.” I dial my receptionist number. “Hey Dela, can you get Chase Daniels in for an appointment this afternoon? He’ll know what it is about.”

  I look back up at Parker. “Can you get me the numbers on what we have left we can allocate to charity this month? I’m going to call up as many of the heartwarming places I can find, starting with the local dog shelter. Once we get a few pictures of Chase with some of those pups, all the women will forget about his slutty ways.” I think for a moment. “Do you think it would be too much to pose him shirtless?”

  Parker just glares at me. I throw up my hands. “Okay. Okay. You’re right. But we are going to need to think through his outfit. Can you come with me to lunch to pick something out for him?”

  Parker smiles back at me. “Does that count as a date?”

  I roll my eyes back at him. “No. This is a work meeting. No cheating.”

  He just groans, then looks me over. “Why do you have to be wearing these little tight skirts all the time? You’re driving me crazy.”

  “Good. You’re the one who set these tortuous rules.”

  He just laughs. “I guess you’re right, but I didn’t know you were going to make it this hard.”

  I smile back. “I’m not doing anything.” I flip my hair over my shoulder. “I’m just naturally this sexy.”

  Parker laughs even harder at that. My phone dings. “Hey Dela ,we all set?”

  “Yes, he confirmed for 2 o’clock.” She says through the phone.

  “Oh and Dela, can you confirm his measurements are still the same from the last time we dressed him? We are heading out at lunch, so I’ll need those by noon.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll send them over once I’ve confirmed.”

  “Thanks.”

  I look back up at Parker, and he looks even more upset about Chase. “You’ve dressed him before? For what?”

  I shrug. “A couple of times. Just different events. He’s pretty high up in the company you know?”

  Parker just grits his teeth. “What’s your problem with him? I mean I know he’s a bastard, but it seems more personal than that.”

  He just shakes his head. “Nothing.”

  I just look at him. “Yeah okay. Real convincing.”

  He doesn’t expand any further, and I really have to get to these calls if I am going to get something scheduled for Chase for tonight. “Alright, go get me those numbers. I still have to set up a meeting with one of the shetlers, figure out optics, call my local reporters to get them to do some fluff pieces. I don’t need you in here distracting me.”

  He just leans down and smiles. “It’ll cost ya a kiss.”

  I look over to my closed office door. “Pretty sure that’s sexual harassment in the workplace.”

  He just shakes his head. “No harassment means unwanted. You definitely want to kiss me.”

  I roll my eyes but pull his head down until our lips meet. I pull away first and push him away. “Get out of here now!” He grins and turns to leave, and I swat his ass on the way out.

  ◆◆◆

  Parker

  After lunch, I went with Ava to a few stores to get an outfit for Chase to wear to make him look less douchey. I highly doubt that is possible, but if anyone can do it, Ava can. We just arrived back in her office, and her appointment with him is any minute. I try to linger for a while. I don’t want that sleazebag alone with her.

  Ava is finishing a call up with one of the shelters when Chase walks in. He sees me first. “Parker. I didn’t realize you were back in town. Still always lurking around Ava I see. I swear do you just pop up every time I see her just to cockblock me?”

  I grit my teeth and clench my fists so I don’t accidently punch this idiot. “I don’t need to cockblock you Chase. She didn’t want you then, and she doesn’t want you now.”

  He just snears back at me. “At least I have a chance. Why are you still creeping around here like a creepy uncle.”

  I swear I almost lose it. “Trust me. If you were the last man on earth, she still wouldn’t consider you.”

  Ava finally hangs up her
phone. “Oh good, Chase you’re here. I just confirmed with Pups and More that you would be making an appearance tonight to drop off the check from the company.”

  Chase raises his eyebrows. “Tonight?”

  Ava narrows her eyes back at him. “Yes tonight. You don’t get to say no. Especially not after the shit you pulled this weekend.”

  That’s my girl.

  Chase just shrugs. “I was just testing the waters before I made my final decision of the night. No harm, no foul.”

  Ava continues to glare. “Wrong. You are already on 3 different gossip sites. It is only a matter of time before this story reflects poorly on the company. We have to get this photo-op done tonight so it can bury this weekend’s story.”

  Chase walks closer to Ava’s desk and lowers his voice like I am not literally standing right behind him in the room.

  “You know you wouldn’t have to keep saving my ass if you’d just go out with me. Then I wouldn’t need to spend all these lonely nights searching for my own Ava. You know none of those girls can compete with you.”

  I think I literally just gagged. Ava just frowns at him. “Chase. I’ve told you before. I don’t date co-workers.”

  She hands him a paper. “Here is the list of questions they are going to ask you tonight. We have your clothes at reception with Dela. Please review beforehand. We will meet you at 4 p.m. at the shelter.”

  Chase grabs the papers from her and turns to leave. “One of these days Ava, you’re going to change your mind.” He smirks at me as he walks out.

  When the door to her office finally closes, I look back over at Ava. She blows out a breath. “Was he even more awful than usual?”

  I give her a small laugh. “You know you can tell him to fuck off? You don’t have to be so polite.”

  She nods. “I know. I just don’t want to cause drama with anyone in the office. He never even tries to talk to me unless something like this comes up, so it’s not that big of a deal.”

  I lean over her desk. “Just tell me when, and I’ll beat that guy to shit.”

  Ava just laughs. “Let’s just get through tonight.”

  ◆◆◆

  Ava really is super good at her job. Chase actually looks like a decent guy. Well, just in photos with his casual outfit and holding two adorable puppies. The second he opens his mouth though, the facade is broken. Good thing this is just a photo-op and not a video interview.

  He hands the puppies back to the worker, and then he is back to hitting on Ava. “You need a ride home? We could share a cab?” He grins at her.

  She just shakes her head. “No, I rode with Parker. I’m all set.”

  He glances back over at me and then goes back talking to Ava like I’m not in the room. “What’s your creepy uncle doing here anyway?”

  Ava gives Chase the best death glare I’ve ever seen. “Ha. Trust me. Doug wishes he was as sexy as Parker.” Ava winks over at me. I swear I just fell in love with her all over again. I smile back at her.

  Then she adds. “He manages the finances of the PR department. He is the one bailing you out of this mess. Maybe you should go say thank you. We could have just canned your ass and used the money elsewhere.”

  He just laughs. “You know I bring in more money than this little donation.”

  She just smiles really big at him. “Well, maybe I am tired of having to clean up your little messes. You know daddy listens to my suggestions.”

  He just smiles back at her. “I don’t think there is any man you don’t have wrapped around your little finger.”

  God. I think I might actually be ill. We need to get out of here. I walk closer to both of them. “You ready to go?”

  Ava looks over to me. “Sure. Let me just check with Stacy that she got everything she needs for the article.”

  Chase checks out Ava’s ass as she walks away. I clear my throat, and he looks over at me. “Can you at least try to be a little more classy?” He just laughs. “Are you seriously hitting that?”

  I glare at him again. “I’d appreciate it, if you weren’t disrespectful toward Ava. It’s very unprofessional.”

  Chase’s eyes widen at me. “Oh my god. You are!”

  I just grit out to him. “That’s none of your business.”

  He just keeps pushing it though. “How’d you manage that? I’ve been trying to get into that girl’s pants for as long as I can remember. So is it true? Is her pussy really that great, or is that just talk? Couldn’t be that tight if all the guys who’ve claimed to get into her pants are telling the truth.”

  I can’t help it, I lose my temper. I reach over and grab Chase by his collar. “What did I say about disrespecting Ava?”

  Chase just looks at me. “What the hell man?”

  I swear I am about to punch this little fucker, but just then Ava comes back. “Parker! What are you doing?”

  I drop Chase’s collar and step back. “Nothing. Can we go now?’

  Chase just snickers. “Guess I was wrong. Must be tight as fuck if you have to ask permission to leave.”

  All I see is red, and my body takes over my mind. The next second is followed by my fist flying through the air and connecting with Chase’s nose. He falls back onto the ground, and I shake my fist as pain sears through it. “Motherfucker!”

  Ava runs in between us. “What the hell Parker?”

  She looks down at Chase. “Are you alright? Do you need us to take you to the hospital?”

  Chase gets back up. “I’m fine.” His nose is bleeding, but it doesn’t look broken. Ava turns to me. “Can you go wait in the car please? Try not to get into any more fights on the way.” She glares at me. I don’t want to leave her here with Chase, but I don’t have much of a choice, so I walk away to the car.

  Ten minutes later Ava comes out and gets in the car. She looks pissed. “Want to tell me what that was about?’

  I look away from her. “No. Not really.”

  She places her hand on my arm. “Parker…”

  I turn back toward her. “Fine. He was being disrespectful, and he’s a little prick. He needed to get punched in the face.”

  Ava actually lets out a small laugh. “Well, I don’t doubt that, but can we not start any more fist fights with employees? I had to spend the last 10 minutes convincing Chase it wasn’t a big deal, so he doesn’t do something dumb like press charges against you.”

  I cringe. I know I messed up, but when he started talking about Ava like she was just another one of his girls. Like she isn’t the most special girl in the whole world. Like he would even be somewhat worthy to be in the same room as her.

  “I’m sorry.” She just smiles at me. “No you’re not.”

  I smile back. “Well not about the punching part, but for making you have to spend anymore time with that douche.” She just laughs. “Let’s go home before you get us into any more trouble.”

  Chapter 12

  Parker

  The rest of the week feels like it drags on. Luckily, I am busy at work since we have to put together the new budget for the next event coming up next month, but every night when I am laying in my bed alone, I feel like I am going to go crazy.

  Ava had to reschedule her meeting from Monday since we had to handle the whole Chase situation, so at least she hasn’t been home after work the past few days or I think I definitely would break my word to wait until after our date.