Playing Dirty

by Tiffany Snow

  Was Ryker over Natalie? That was a question I wanted answered before I could decide whether or not “serious” was in the cards for us.

  * * *

  It was late in the afternoon when Parker called me into his office to work on a file for one of our biggest clients. It took a couple of hours and I kept glancing surreptitiously at my watch, wondering if I was going to have to cancel dinner with my parents. This last time, Parker caught me at it.

  “Something wrong?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “No, I just—”

  “Have a date with Ryker?” Parker interrupted.

  “No. My parents are coming to take me to dinner,” I said, omitting the information that Ryker was coming, too, and that he was in fact the entire reason for my parents driving into the city.

  “Ah. I see.” Parker settled back into his chair from where he’d been pacing as he talked through the case and I’d taken notes. “You know, I’d like to think we’re still friends, you and me.”

  “We are?” Parker and I had never discussed our relationship after I’d left his apartment—and his bed—in the middle of the night.

  “Of course. Which is why I told Monique I wasn’t going to fire you.”

  “Excuse me?” Surely I had misheard. “I thought she said I was pretty.”

  “Oh, she did. That was the problem. She doesn’t like the idea of me having a secretary who looks like you.”

  “Executive Administrative Assistant,” I automatically corrected him. My immediate thought was, what a bitch. My next thought was to wonder why he was telling me this.

  “I told her she was being ridiculous. And you’re probably wondering why I’m telling you this,” he said.

  My internal um, yeah must’ve shown on my face.

  “I like Monique,” he said. “She’s an … interesting diversion. But you … you are a fixture in my life and I wouldn’t dream of firing you, especially at the whim of a temporary girlfriend.”

  “Is that what she is? Your girlfriend?”

  “For the moment.”

  “I see.”

  “Is Ryker for the moment? Or a fixture?” he asked.

  That gave me pause. Since when were we discussing our personal lives at work? Or anywhere, for that matter?

  “Why do you care?” I asked.

  “We’re friends, Sage. I care. I just want what’s best for you. Like you said last night, I want you to be happy, too.”

  He seemed genuine in his concern, his eyes locked on mine as he leaned forward onto his desk, his arms folded on top of the polished wood surface. The tie at his neck was loosened, a slight concession to it being after official working hours, and his jacket had been tossed on the leather couch in the corner. I’d been wanting to go hang it up so it wouldn’t wrinkle for the past thirty minutes.

  “Ryker and I … haven’t really discussed the future,” I said, deciding to be honest.

  Parker got up and walked to the old-fashioned antique highboy where he kept his liquor and took out two glasses. “But he’s meeting your parents tonight,” he guessed.

  Unsurprised that he’d figured that out, I nodded, watching as he poured an inch of amber liquid into each glass. “I met some of his friends this past weekend. People I think you know, too.”

  “And I bet not a one of them had a good word to say about me,” he said, handing me one of the glasses as he took a sip from the other that he held. Returning to his chair, he leaned back, his hands folded on his abdomen, which caused my gaze to briefly wander before I jerked it back up to his face.

  “It seems everyone knows all the details about you, Ryker, and Natalie,” I said. “Except me.” I took a drink of the scotch, the liquor burning a smooth path down my throat to warm my belly.

  He shrugged. “I told you everything I thought you needed to know.”

  “Why does Amy not like her, but Ryker speaks of her as if she were a saint?” Maybe I could get more information out of Parker than Ryker.

  Parker’s lips twisted. “Ryker was always blinded to some darker spots in Natalie’s nature. We both were, at first, but then I began to see her for who she really was. I tried to talk to Ryker, but he wouldn’t listen. He just insisted that I’d stolen her from him, the love of his life.” The last bit was said with more than a little contempt.

  I hesitated, then decided since he was in a talkative mood, I’d take advantage as much as possible. It wasn’t like anyone else was going to tell me what I wanted to know.

  “I saw a photo,” I said. “Of the three of you. It looked like you were all friends.”

  “That’s how it began,” Parker said. “Natalie was very … manipulative. Very charismatic and charming. She knew how to get what she wanted.”

  “What did she want?”

  “Both of us.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  I was waiting outside when my parents pulled up. Shultz was driving them, as he’d driven them for the past twenty-some-odd years, and I didn’t wait for him to get out and open the door to the car for me. I always felt guilty making him get out and come around, especially when I could just open the door myself.

  “Hey, Mom. Dad,” I said, giving them each a hug before taking the seat opposite them. The familiar cloud of my mother’s perfume filled my nostrils.

  “Where’s Dean, dear?” Mom asked, glancing out at the sidewalk.

  “He had to work so he’s going to meet us at the restaurant,” I said. “Where are we going?”

  “Oh, your father wanted to go to Everest, since we don’t get into the city very often anymore,” she said. “He’s been reading about it in those magazines he gets.”

  My father thought himself a foodie, though he was from Chicago’s South Side and the fanciest thing he ate growing up was hot dogs on an actual bun instead of a rolled-up slice of white bread. A few years ago, he’d taken up cooking as a hobby.

  Then I remembered.

  “Everest?” I blurted. “Uh, isn’t there someplace else you want to go? I hear it’s hard to get in there, like you have to make reservations weeks in advance.” I really didn’t want to watch Parker with Monique tonight. Seeing them together on the boat had been quite enough.

  Dad just looked at me strangely. “Since when has your old man ever had a problem getting a table at a restaurant?”

  “How’s work going for you?” Mom interjected.

  “Fine, it’s fine,” I said with a sigh, knowing it was futile. With any luck, though, we wouldn’t see them. After all, Parker’s reservation wasn’t for another—I glanced at my watch—half hour. Pulling out my phone, I sent a quick text to Ryker.

  “You always say ‘fine,’ ” my mother complained. “You know your father can talk to some people, see about getting you on at the museum. You don’t have to be a secretary, Sage.”

  “Executive Administrative Assistant,” I corrected her. “And we’ve discussed this. I don’t want Daddy to pull strings to get me a job. I keep applying whenever there’s a position open. If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen.”

  “Sometimes things that are meant to be need a little help,” she replied.

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” My parents meant well, I just wanted to get a job at the museum on my own merit, not because of how much money my father agreed to donate.

  “Here we are,” my father announced as the car slowed and pulled up to a curb outside the Chicago Stock Exchange.

  I followed my mother out of the car and waited as she slipped her hand through Dad’s arm. My father may have grown up dirt poor, but he’d fallen in love with a woman who brought out the best in him, including treating her like a princess. He offered me his other arm.

  “Shall we, my lovely ladies?”

  I grinned up at him and he pressed a quick kiss to my cheek, then the three of us went inside and took the elevator up to the fortieth floor. As he’d predicted, once the maitre d’ saw my father, he had no trouble finding a table for us. It wasn’t just his imposing presence at over six feet combin
ed with a formidable girth that made him recognizable, but also his name. Joe Muccino was a name anyone familiar with the liquor business in Chicago knew, and even those who weren’t still knew of him.

  It had been so bad in school that I’d taken my mother’s maiden name as my last name when I’d gone to college. Not that it wasn’t nice to have people know your father was a wealthy and powerful man, but I’d just wanted to make my own way without the special favors.

  The sommelier brought a bottle of wine, opening and pouring it for us as I checked my phone. Ryker had just texted that he was on his way and should be there any moment. I settled my hands back into my lap, gazing at the pretty candle and flowers on the table. The flickering light reflected off the silverware and crystal glasses. While the restaurant was full, it wasn’t loud, so you could have a conversation without any problem.

  I looked over the menu as Mom leaned over toward Dad to read him the entrees. Although he needed reading glasses, he absolutely refused to get them. But Mom didn’t seem to mind translating.

  Taking another sip of wine, I glanced past them … and almost choked. Parker had just entered the restaurant. Though I’d been hoping not to see him tonight, there he was, like fate was having a big laugh at my expense. Monique wasn’t with him yet and I figured he was meeting her here, just as I was doing with Ryker.

  I stared at him, aghast, and prayed somehow he’d pass by without spotting us. But as if he could sense my presence, Parker turned his head and his gaze locked right on mine.

  Oh no. He was so going to think I’d chosen to come here because I’d known he was bringing Monique. Would he think I was spying on them? God, that would be so embarrassing. I scooted down in my seat, hoping beyond hope that he hadn’t recognized me. It was possible. The lighting was low enough he might think he’d been mistaken.

  “Don’t slouch in your seat, dear,” my mom said mildly. Of course, I couldn’t tell her that I wasn’t slouching—I was hiding. Maybe Parker would just go sit down.

  I watched as he followed the maitre d’ to a table only two away from ours—the universe hated me—and breathed a sigh of relief … that was abruptly choked off when he thanked the maitre d’, turned, and headed our way.

  “Mr. Muccino, I thought that was you,” Parker said, holding his hand out to my father, who took it and gave it a firm shake.

  “Mr. Anderson, it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other face-to-face,” Dad said. “I take it my investments are doing well?”

  My jaw had dropped open in shock at this exchange. I’d never told Parker who my parents were and while they knew I worked at KLP Capital, I’d always referred to Parker as just “my boss.” And I’d had no idea Parker handled business for my father.

  “Absolutely. Don’t doubt that,” Parker said with a warm smile.

  “Anderson, this is my wife, Barbara,” Dad said. Mom smiled and held out her hand.

  “Please call me Barb,” she said.

  “And my daughter, Sage.”

  My smile was weak, but Parker’s had a bit of the devil in it as he took my hand. His eyes met mine, and I suddenly knew he wasn’t a bit surprised to see who my parents were, the shit. How long had he known?

  “You have a lovely wife and daughter,” Parker said, all charm as he pressed his lips to the back of my hand and his blue eyes danced with humor.

  I thought my heart skipped a beat, maybe two.

  “Sit down,” my father invited, gesturing to the empty chair at our table.

  “He can’t,” I blurted.

  Everyone turned to look at me.

  “I-I mean, I’m sure he’s not alone, right?” I sent a frantic message with my eyes to Parker.

  “Actually, my companion had to cancel,” he said smoothly.

  “Then that settles it,” my dad said in his no-nonsense voice. “You’re joining us for dinner.”

  I choked on air.

  “Are you all right?” Mom asked. “Here, have a drink of water.” She handed me my water glass.

  I swigged the water, my gaze inexorably drawn to Parker, who seemed to be even more amused now. This was turning into a nightmare. Not only would Ryker be meeting my parents for the first time, but it seemed Parker was going to be a witness to it.

  “If you’re sure,” Parker said, his eyes still on mine and his lips twisted in a half-smile. “I’ll just be a moment.”

  The next few minutes were a daze of this-can’t-really-be-happening as my father flagged down the waiter to order more wine and Parker fetched the maitre d’ and told him he wouldn’t need a table after all.

  I was trying really hard not to let my irritation and stress show, but Parker knew me too well and I saw him hide a smile as he sat down next to me. I pulled out my phone, checking to see if a miracle had occurred and Ryker’d had to cancel or something.

  “It’s rude to be on your phone at dinner,” Parker said in my ear, his voice low so only I could hear.

  I sent him a glare that would have withered any other man, but he just smiled benignly.

  “I take it you’ve never told your parents about me?” he asked.

  I glanced at my mom and dad, who were asking the waiter about tonight’s specials as he uncorked another bottle and poured.

  “No,” I hissed back. “You’re just my asshole boss that barges in on dinner with my parents, makes me work the weekends, calls at all hours—”

  “Not anymore,” he interrupted.

  I frowned, looking quizzically at him.

  “I don’t call you at all hours anymore,” he said, reaching for his glass of merlot and taking a drink.

  Yes, that was true. I’d just thought it was coincidence, but the way Parker said that made me think it was something he’d done on purpose. Which kind of sucked. He’d been deliberately putting distance between us, actively working to decrease his dependence on me, and though it had been good for my and Ryker’s relationship, it still gave me an ick feeling in my stomach.

  “Ryker is coming, isn’t he?” Parker asked. “Because I’d sure hate to miss this.”

  “Anderson, do you know Sage’s boss?” Dad interrupted. “He works at KLP, too. I’m sure you know him. Perhaps you can put in a word. He works her much too hard. Just two weeks ago she couldn’t come home for her aunt Iris’s birthday party because he made her work on a Saturday.”

  My cheeks burned. Parker hadn’t made me work that weekend. I’d had plans with Ryker, so had fibbed to my parents about the exact reason I couldn’t come home. I steadfastly refused to look at Parker, and his silent presence beside me felt like a monolith of judgment.

  “Yes,” Mom emphatically agreed. “You must talk to him, Parker. Sage needs time off like anyone else, especially when it’s to visit family.”

  “Mom, Dad, stop,” I blurted. “Parker is my boss.”

  They both fell silent and looked at me as though I’d sprouted wings.

  “What do you mean?” Dad asked.

  “She means that she wasn’t sure exactly how to tell you that she works for me,” Parker smoothly interjected. “And you’re absolutely right. Sage works much too hard. I apologize that she missed Aunt Iris’s birthday party. It won’t happen again.”

  My eyes slipped closed as now shame warred with embarrassment. Not only had Parker caught me in a lie, he’d taken the blame for something that wasn’t his fault.

  “Have you tried the foie gras?” Parker asked, changing the subject. “It’s really excellent.”

  “We have not. Joe, let’s order some of that, shall we? It sounds delicious.” My mother was a master of conversation. She could make anyone feel at ease and smooth over awkward moments, such as now.

  And the bump in the road that was me was effortlessly transitioned into dinner talk. I shot my mother a grateful look and she smiled a bit, though I knew I’d have some explaining to do later.

  “I’m glad to see you tonight,” Parker said to my father. “There was an opportunity I wanted to discuss.”

  He launched i
nto business-speak with my dad and I sipped my wine, glancing at my watch nervously every few moments. By the time the foie gras came, Dad and Parker were talking like they were old buddies instead of business associates, laughing at some joke Dad had made.

  “My girl here is your secretary, eh?” he asked.

  “She’s my assistant, yes,” Parker replied, glancing at me. “The best one in the company, as far as I’m concerned, and irreplaceable. I have no idea what I’d do without her.”

  That made me feel way too warm and fuzzy inside. I could tell both my parents liked that and my mother got a gleam in her eye as she looked at Parker that I didn’t like the look of at all. Mom had been waiting for me to meet Mr. Right since I’d graduated college, and I could practically see the wheels turning inside her head.

  Feeling Parker’s gaze on me, I glanced up and our eyes met. I could swear he was sitting closer to me than he had been just moments ago, and I could smell the warm, spicy scent of his cologne. It was the closest we’d been in proximity to each other since I’d been wrapped in his arms in his bed.

  Perhaps the same thought flashed through his mind, because his eyes darkened and suddenly it was harder to breathe.

  “Sage?”

  My stomach bottomed out as I spun around to see Ryker standing a couple of feet behind me. I nearly tripped in my haste to get up out of my chair.

  “You made it!” I said, somewhat breathless. I stepped into his arms for a quick kiss, and while he obliged, I could tell he wasn’t happy by the tension in his body. Taking his hand, I led him to the table. “Mom, Dad, this is Dean Ryker. Dean, my dad, Joe.” I deliberately left off the last name.

  My father stood to shake his hand. “Pleased to finally meet you,” he said.

  “Likewise,” Ryker replied. His smile was genial enough, but I could tell it was forced as his gaze kept twitching back to where Parker sat, unperturbed.

  “We happened to run into Sage’s boss,” my father continued, gesturing to Parker. “He’s joining us for dinner as well.”

  “How nice,” Ryker said, his icy gaze meeting Parker’s, who just gave him a nod and a bland smile.

  “This is my mom,” I hurriedly said, introducing them.