by Jo Leigh
And ran straight into Parker.
Almost. He took a step back, saving them from a collision.
“Ginny...” He’d removed his sunglasses, his tanned face bringing out the striking blue of his eyes.
“Parker?”
His slow smile sent her heart into a tailspin. “I wasn’t sure you’d remember me.”
Gee, why would she? “You do look different,” she said, and went for the preemptive strike. “Is Meg with you? Is she here?” Ginny asked, forcing excitement into her voice and making a show of glancing around.
His expression barely changed. “I was about to ask you the same thing.”
“Oh. Well, now you know the answer to that.”
“My mom thought she might show up. I didn’t expect her to be here.”
That wasn’t completely true. Ginny could see in his eyes that he’d held on to some hope. She felt a twinge of guilt for using the ploy. “Did you check at the registration desk?” she asked, tucking her hair behind her ear for the again. So annoying. She’d quit that nervous habit ages ago. “You know, for the reunion, not the hotel’s.”
“I figured if anyone knew whether she was coming, it would be you.” He paused, studying her closely, clearly looking for something, but she didn’t know what. He had no reason to think she was lying. “When was the last time you saw her?”
Ginny shook her head, the sadness resting so heavily, her shoulders drooped. “Not since she disappeared.”
“Fifteen years ago.”
She nodded, without hesitation, aware that the truth was more complicated than a simple yes or no. “What about you?” she asked because he would expect her to. But she already knew the answer.
“The same.” His phone rang. Without so much as a glance he shut it off. “Meg must’ve contacted you at some point.”
“She did.”
“How?”
Ginny’s stomach lurched. She’d be honest with him, for as long as she could, but the questions were bound to get more difficult. “Through Facebook, mostly. Sometimes she called.”
“That’s more than my mom got,” he said with a snort of derision.
“Did Meg even know how to find any of you?”
Parker’s eyes narrowed. He had the audacity to look confused.
Ginny held her breath. Why on earth had she said that? And with that snarky tone of voice? Yes, he’d taken off without a word to her. Yes, it had hurt at the time. Fifteen years ago. She didn’t care anymore. But that’s not how it had just sounded.
She shot a look toward the bar, seeking an escape route, when she saw the exact moment he realized what she’d meant. Regret replaced confusion, which was so much worse.
“I’m here with friends and I need to get back.” Refusing to look up, she tried sidestepping him.
“Ginny.” He touched her arm. “Wait. Please.”
“Nice seeing you, by the way.” She drew her arm back and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. A group of inattentive golfers jabbering on about their scores had hemmed her in. “Excuse me, please,” she said to no avail.
“This way.” Parker took her by the arm and guided her around the oblivious foursome.
“Thanks,” she murmured, hoping he didn’t think that had earned him any points. “I’m sure you understand this is a busy weekend for me.”
“I do,” he said, “but I’m not going anywhere. If you find that you have some time to spare, how about we have a drink tomorrow?”
She stared blankly at him. What did he mean he wasn’t going anywhere? “How long will you be staying?”
“I haven’t decided yet. What about you?”
“Me?”
Parker smiled. “When do you leave?”
“Oh, no. I’m not—I live here.” She wanted to take the words back. He looked shocked, but of course he wouldn’t know anything about the unexpected twist her life had taken. If she’d stopped to think for two seconds, she would’ve left his misconception blessedly intact.
Questions swirled in his eyes. “You did go on to Juilliard, didn’t you?”
“Yes.” At least she didn’t have to lie about that. She spotted Connor Foley, the pompous boor most of her classmates, including she, tried to avoid. “Connor?” She waved, catching his attention. “I’m sorry, would you excuse me for a moment,” she said to Parker.
She’d taken only a few steps before Connor thwarted her escape by approaching at a fast clip.
“Ginny,” Connor said, his arms open. “Ginny Landry. How wonderful to see you.”
Ordering herself not to gag, she let him wrap her in a big hug. He smelled awful. Undoubtedly his cologne was expensive; everything he owned was top-of-the-line. His family was loaded. But Connor had always been short on class and good sense. She gave him a discreet hint that it was time to release her, and when he didn’t, she wiggled away from him.
When Connor caught her by her upper arms, she thought she saw Parker step closer. She didn’t resist, pretended everything was just fine. Maybe she was wrong and Parker wouldn’t have intervened, but she couldn’t risk him causing a fuss.
Connor leaned back and swept a gaze over her. “You look fantastic. I heard Alexandra and the rest of her gang are green with envy that you haven’t aged.” He frowned slightly. “Perhaps some Botox wouldn’t hurt. Just a touch between your brows. But that’s all.”
Ginny blinked, then burst out laughing.
Connor’s puzzled expression didn’t help, but at least he’d released her.
“Thanks for the advice,” she said, doing her absolute best to control herself. “I’ll be sure to keep that in mind. Well, it was nice seeing you.”
“Wait.” Connor stepped forward, trying to regain the distance she was putting between them. “Are you here with anyone?”
She backed right into Parker.
This time it was his hands closing around her upper arms, drawing her closer. Her back met his hard chest. “Careful, sweetheart,” he said, his voice pitched low and intimate. But not so low Connor wouldn’t hear. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?”
For a second she couldn’t make her mouth work. The heat coming from Parker’s body seemed to envelop her, lull her into a relaxed state. His work-roughened palms slid down her bare arms. It was entirely possible the late-afternoon sun flooding the lobby was making her feel flushed, but she didn’t think so.
Just as Ginny was about to make the introductions, she realized Connor had walked away. Good grief, how long had she spaced out for?
She didn’t exactly push Parker away but she definitely made a point as she jerked back and turned to him. “Why did you say that?”
“Say what?”
“That I’m here with you.”
His eyebrows shot up. “I didn’t.”
“You implied it.”
“Sorry.” He shrugged. “I didn’t realize you liked him pawing you.”
She could still feel his warmth slipping down her spine, as if she hadn’t broken contact. Her skin tingled from the roughness of his palms. Hugging herself, she rubbed her arms, trying to erase the feel of him.
“We haven’t seen each other for a long time, and we were awfully young, so I can understand why you might make such a ridiculous comment,” she said, irritated by the smile lurking at the corners of his mouth. “However, let me assure you, I can take care of myself just fine.”
“Don’t doubt it for a second,” he said, folding his arms across his chest.
Why did he have to have so many muscles? More important, why was she reacting to them...to him? A man’s intellect was of far greater interest to her. Not that she didn’t appreciate a good-looking man.
She realized she was staring. “I really do have to go.”
“Let me give you my number.”
“Your— Why?”
&nb
sp; “In case you have time for a drink. Unless you prefer to give me yours.”
Ginny shook her head, perhaps a bit too quickly. No, let him think she was brushing him off. Maybe then he wouldn’t stick around. But to be safe, she would make a point of getting Cricket alone to ask her about potential parental rights. She rifled through her handbag. The pen wasn’t in its usual place.
“I can put it in your phone, if you like.”
Looking up, she met his eyes. Something glinting from them sent a little shiver through her body. Her fingers brushed the pen. She pulled it out along with a credit card receipt that was blank on the back. “I’m ready,” she said, the pen poised to write.
He recited the number.
She repeated it to him and then stuck the receipt in an inside pocket. Feeling a bit more in control, she shook her hair back just as something troubling occurred to her. “Are you staying here at the resort?”
“Nope. They’re booked.”
“Right.” She tried to hide her relief. “Well, again, it was nice seeing you, Parker. Good luck finding Meg.”
His penetrating gaze made her feel completely transparent. Naked. Too vulnerable. “You have no intention of calling me, do you?”
“Would you blame me if I didn’t?” She tried to bite back the words but it was too late.
Regret flickered in his eyes. Not that Ginny cared. He knew exactly what she meant. A week after Meg’s disappearance, he and his mom had pulled their own vanishing act. Overnight their home had been stripped of everything personal. The whole community had been stunned. Rumors had spread like wildfire. That they were in witness protection had been the most popular.
All Ginny knew for certain was that her heart had shattered into too many pieces to count.
CHAPTER FOUR
STILL IN HER ratty old robe, Ginny left her makeup spread out across her bathroom counter and went to the kitchen to pour herself a third cup of coffee. She hoped the extra caffeine wouldn’t make her jittery, but without another dose she’d be nodding off by lunchtime.
Ha. She should be so lucky.
It had been a mistake talking to Cricket. Ginny felt awful for wasting her friend’s time. Not only had she jumped the gun, but she’d been unwilling to give Cricket all the facts. Ginny’s only excuse was that she had panicked the moment she’d seen Parker. And now, after a poor night’s sleep, she wasn’t any more ready to face the day. Just knowing he could show up at the resort at any minute wreaked havoc with her nervous system.
This was supposed to have been a fun weekend, a time to catch up and relax with her friends. Social media was great in so many ways, but nothing beat seeing everyone in person. And being able to show them more pictures of Tilda.
She’d been looking forward to the reunion for weeks.
She’d actually made peace with the fact that Meg wouldn’t be making an appearance. Once Meg had hooked up with Danny all those years ago, her fate had been sealed. So Ginny had been prepared for her absence. Parker, though...nothing could’ve prepared Ginny for him.
Her heart had actually raced with excitement, just like it had when she was eighteen. Then, as the ramifications of him finding out about Tilda had begun to sink in, panic and nerves had taken over. Now, even without adequate sleep, she realized she’d overreacted. Even if he were to meet Tilda, which she didn’t see happening, it didn’t mean he’d make the leap that he and Tilda were related.
After filling her cup and adding sugar, she leaned against the counter, staring out the window. Jade had arrived late last night. When it came to causing trouble she’d always led the pack. Ginny smiled. Her mind wouldn’t have time to wander with Jade around.
The doorbell rang.
Sighing, Ginny took another sip before going to answer it. She knew it was Rodney from next door. Practically every Saturday he conveniently hit a ball over her fence and needed to enter the property. She had no idea what was so interesting about her side of the—
It wasn’t Rodney. Through the long, narrow window she saw Parker standing at the door. And he most definitely saw her. No pretending she wasn’t home. But having the reunion as an excuse, she figured she could get rid of him quickly.
Gripping the knob, she took a deep breath and then opened the door. “Parker. This is a surprise.”
“I know,” he said, shrugging. “I would’ve called first if I’d had your number.”
And he couldn’t have taken the hint?
Instead of pointing that out, she held on to a polite smile. He wore jeans again, but they were dark blue and went well with the green polo shirt tucked in at his slim waist.
“Mind if I come in?” he asked. “I won’t stay long, and I come bearing gifts.” He held up a white paper bag, probably from Gustav’s. Great. The bakery was off-limits to her.
“Okay,” she drawled. “Honestly, I only have a few minutes. I was just on my way out.”
As she stepped back, holding the door wide, his gaze slid down the front of her body.
Wondering about the flicker of amusement in his eyes as he walked past her, she looked down at herself...
Her faded, oversize granny robe had to be a hundred years old. On the left side was a hole you could drive a truck through, and it was so long the hem dragged on the floor behind her.
She bit back a whimper.
Then, as if that wasn’t enough, she remembered that she’d made it through only half of her makeup ritual. She had to look like a stupid clown. Good. Maybe he’d leave sooner.
Ginny clutched the front of her robe, making sure there were no gaps, and gestured for him to go into the living room. Tilda always teased her about the robe, pointing out she was too old to have a security blanket. Her daughter wasn’t too far off the mark. The robe was Ginny’s go-to when she was sick or upset or just feeling a bit blue.
“I smell coffee,” Parker said. “Any chance I can get a cup?”
“Sure, although if you use cream you’re out of luck. All we have is milk.”
His brows drew together in the oddest frown. “We?”
Ginny swallowed. Hard. “My daughter,” she said, and saw him glance toward the hall. “She’s camping with friends this weekend.” Ginny cleared her throat. “I’ll go get your coffee.”
Too frazzled to think straight, she swept a swift gaze around the room as she headed for the kitchen. Sitting on the bookshelf closest to the piano were two framed pictures of Tilda, one from when she was five and the other from her twelfth birthday. They were in plain sight. Nothing short of a miracle would stop him from looking at them, which would lead to questions Ginny didn’t want to answer.
Her hand shook as she poured him a cup, and she cursed under her breath when some of the hot brew burned her fingers.
“Here, let me get that...” His voice came from close behind.
She jerked, spilling half the coffee onto her hand and the floor. She clamped her lips together.
“I didn’t mean to startle you,” he said quietly and took the cup from her. After setting it on the counter, he picked up her hand and inspected the red skin.
“It’s nothing.”
“Do you have any ointment handy?”
He’d shaved, she realized, doing some close inspecting of her own. The dimple on his chin was more visible, and the sudden urge to rub her thumb over it had her pulling her hand back.
“It’s fine,” she said and returned the carafe to the coffee station, then went to the fridge. The second she opened it she remembered the milk was already on the counter.
“Okay to use this?”
She turned to find him holding up the kitchen rag she left draped on the dishwasher handle. She nodded and watched him crouch to wipe the coffee off the hardwood floor. “Do you clean windows too?”
Glancing up, he grinned. “With the right motivation, you bet.”
Oh, no, s
he wasn’t taking the bait. She gave him a slight smile and slid the small ceramic pot of sugar toward him as he rose. “Thanks,” she said, gesturing vaguely at the floor.
He eyed the nearly empty coffee carafe.
“I’d offer to make more, but I know you don’t have much time. Go ahead and finish it up. It’s still fresh.”
“I brought something from Gustav’s...”
“I guessed,” Ginny said, sighing.
Parker paused, the amusement in his eyes hard to miss. “The bag’s in the living room. Are we going back out there, or should I go get it?”
“Yes, please.”
His brows went up.
“Let’s stay here.” Maybe, just maybe, he hadn’t noticed the photos. Knowing she had a daughter was one thing. Knowing her daughter’s age, well, that was something else altogether.
She went ahead and scooped up the remainder of the beans she’d ground earlier, enough for at least half a pot. Anything from Gustav’s required coffee as an accompaniment. And not just any brew but the really good stuff, of which she was always sure to have a vast supply.
Parker returned quickly and made himself at home finding the small plates and setting them on the table along with forks and napkins.
She was dying to know what he’d brought, but she wouldn’t ask. As soon as the coffee started to brew she turned to him. He swiftly brought his gaze up to eye level. The robe...
When he pulled a chair out from the table for her, she bit her lip as she sat down. Why was this suddenly feeling like the Last Supper?
“Go ahead and open the bag,” he said, as he took a seat across from her.
“I’m not sure I should be starting the day with sugar,” she murmured, even as she reached for the sack. “I drank more alcohol last night than I typically drink in a whole year.”
“You don’t look hungover.”
Ginny peeked inside the bag and groaned. “I love anything Gustav makes, but the cardamom rolls are my absolute favorite.”
