The One That Matters

by Elle Linder

  “Thank you for coming.” Marie hugged Isaac.

  “The food was awesome. The best pork tacos I’ve ever had,” Isaac said.

  “Aww, that’s sweet. And Lex, you two come anytime okay? I miss you when I don’t see you for weeks at a time,” she hugged her tightly.

  “We will, Mom. I love you.”

  After Lexi and Isaac left, there was an awkwardness that filled the space. Marie fidgeted with the hem of her blouse, and she tried not to make eye contact with Seth. The evening had been pleasant, and the margaritas were terrific in calming Marie’s nerves. She had watched as Lexi and Isaac had interacted with Seth, and they seemed to get along nicely. But it was Jackson’s painful avoidance that occupied her mind. Even though she would never let her child call the shots in her romantic life, his feelings mattered to her. He loved Parker. And so did she.

  “I’m going to head out too,” Seth said. “Thank you for a great evening with excellent tacos.”

  She smiled and nodded.

  “I won’t push, but I want you to remember that I’m here. And if it never happens between us, I still want to be your friend.”

  “I appreciate that Seth. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I do know I care about Parker a lot. I want things to work with him. I want to be with him.” She wanted to be honest with Seth. And the truth was, Parker mattered to her more than even she realized. It’s why knowing he had been with Sasha pained her as much as it did.

  Chapter 15

  Trying

  Friday morning Marie somberly walked into the office. Jackson had ignored her just like he used to. It made leaving him all the more difficult. They needed to talk. She wanted to explain what was going on, but she couldn’t miss work. Jackson’s hurt and anger only added to Marie’s pain. All she was trying to do was deal with her emotions—to get past Parker being with Sasha. Now she had to also worry about her relationship with Jackson. Then Parker entered her mind for the millionth time. She knew he had to be worried and going out of his mind, not knowing what was going on with her. But if they talked, Marie would miss him, and the pain of knowing he’d been with Sasha would consume her. She had to keep her head clear, more than ever.

  The day progressed quickly, and it pleased Marie. After a late, working lunch she sat at her desk, rocking in her chair. Thoughts of Parker, Jackson, and Seth filled her mind. The way she felt when she was with Parker…finally after two years she had gotten Jackson back…Seth was a nice guy who she enjoyed talking to. So many thoughts and not one of them helped her deal with Sasha.

  Natalie knocked on Marie’s door.

  “Come in.”

  “I gotta say you’re the luckiest woman to be dating Mr. Nichols. Look at these flowers.” Natalie grinned as she carried a large tropical arrangement and placed it on Marie’s desk. “He sure likes you. I’m so jealous.”

  “Thank you, Natalie.”

  “Is everything okay? You don’t look very happy about getting flowers from Mr. Nichols. To be honest, you’ve been ‘off’ all week.”

  “Yeah, relationships aren’t always easy.” Marie turned her attention to her computer screen, disengaging Natalie.

  “Oh…well, if you need anything you know where to find me.” Natalie frowned, as she closed the door and walked back to her desk.

  Marie took a deep breath once the door was closed and removed the card from the arrangement.

  Hi Beautiful, please answer the phone @ 4. You matter to me, Parker.

  She plopped down in her chair and looked at the clock—3:55. Instantly, her heart raced. Parker would be calling in five minutes. How did he do that? It’s like he was right there with her and he wasn’t going to let her shut him out, even if he was in Budapest. A sudden flood of emotions overwhelmed her. She missed him terribly. If they could run away and stop time, she would spend the rest of her life with him. But reality wasn’t that simple. What was she going to do? What would she say to him? For the next five minutes, she stared at the flowers until her phone rang.

  “Yes, Natalie.”

  “Mr. Nichols on line two.”

  “Thank you.” Marie paused a few beats before answering. “Hello…”

  “Marie…thank you for taking my call. What’s going on? I thought we weren’t going to do this.” He sounded tired, sad, and panicked.

  “I’m taking time to process, so I can’t talk to you.”

  “Then listen to me. I’m going out of my mind over here. I haven’t been worth shit since Monday when you didn’t answer my call or texts. I knew you were shutting me out. But then when I heard Seth was over for dinner and kissed you, Jesus, Marie! Every time we have an issue are you going to turn to Seth?”

  “No! It isn’t like that.” Her voice broke. “How do you even know?” She paused and then she knew. “Jackson!”

  “Yeah Jackson,” he shot back. “Did you think he wouldn’t say something to me? I’m his friend. He texted me last night and told me. He asked if I would still be his friend if we broke up. I was up the rest of the night driving myself crazy thinking about you with Seth,” he growled, then she heard a crash come through the line, like breaking glass. The noise made Marie jump in her chair.

  “What was that sound?”

  “My beer bottle hitting the wall.” Marie took a deep breath with her hand on her chest.

  “Listen to me, I’m not with Seth. He’s just a friend.”

  “Jackson said he kissed you. Why did he come to dinner?”

  “I didn’t plan it, it just happened. He kissed my temple like a friend would.”

  “Except he doesn’t want to be your friend. Shit! I can’t do this. I’m pulling the plug on this project and flying back.”

  “Don’t do that. It’s your job; you need to stay.”

  “I don’t give a shit about this job. Not if while I’m here, you’re breaking up with me and turning to Seth. You’re shutting me out when I’m not there to fight for us. Don’t you know you’re more important to me?”

  “Parker…”

  “Talk to me, baby, please,” he begged her, his voice thick with emotion.

  Marie took a deep breath to gather herself. She couldn’t lose it on the phone with him. “I see you with her when I close my eyes.” Her voice caught.

  “Marie…”

  “No, you listen to me. I imagine you touching her the way you touch me.” She paused. “I hear you talking to her like you talk to me and making… I can’t even say it. Do you know how that makes me feel? It makes me want to throw up.” She inhaled deeply, choking back her tears. “Why did it have to be her?”

  “I’m coming home tomorrow. With the time change I’ll be on your doorstep by nine,” Parker said, clearly panicked. “Please don’t cry.”

  “Parker, be sensible. You can’t.”

  “I need to hold you, Marie. You’re breaking my heart. I don’t want you hurting like this.”

  “Please don’t leave your job. I’ll feel horrible if I’m the reason you’re leaving.”

  “I can’t focus, so it doesn’t even matter. And there’s Seth.”

  “Seth is just a friend, nothing happened between us. What if I promise to answer every time you call? Please don’t stop the project.”

  “You need me and God knows I need you.”

  “I know.” Her voice shook. “That’s why it hurts so much.” She could hear him rustling around. “What are you doing? I can hear you doing something.”

  “I’m packing.”

  “Parker, stop! You’ll be back in ten days. And…”

  “And what?”

  “And…I’ll still be here.”

  “I’ll compromise with you. I won’t call you every day so you can process, but when I do call, please answer. I won’t text you either. And please don’t do anything with Seth.”

  “Don’t worry about Seth. He’s just my friend.”

  He exhaled like he had been holding his breath.

  “I’ll answer when you call, every time.”

  �
��When I get back, spend the weekend with me?”

  “I don’t know if I can do that.”

  “Marie, I’m so sorry. Please don’t give up on us.”

  “I’m trying not to.”

  Marie took every one of Parker’s calls. He did as he said he would and only called a few times so she could process. He sounded tired and worried every time she answered the phone, and she felt bad knowing he was stressed out while filming. She hated that her insecurities about them, and about him and Sasha, caused friction between them. It took everything in her to work through her feelings, but it was Sasha. And it didn’t matter that she didn’t know Parker back then, or that they had lives before each other. It was Sasha. As much as she tried to reason it in her head, she struggled to get passed it.

  Parker always asked about Jackson. After finding out about Seth, he had told her he worried Jackson would shut her out again. He did his best to reassure him, and each day Jackson opened up a little more with Marie. Parker even asked about Lexi, which Marie appreciated; she knew he cared about both of her kids. His genuine interest in her children meant everything to her.

  Several times he invited her and the kids—along with her girlfriends—to his place to swim, but she declined. Mixing her personal life with her family life seemed like a bad idea. But by the fourth time he asked, she relented and agreed to bring the kids over, which was a huge step for her. It was a defining moment in her relationship with him. It would no longer be just him and her, but it would include her kids and her friends. It also meant the most important people in her life could form an attachment to him, the most important man in her life. She wasn’t sure she was ready or if it was even a good idea, but she agreed to take everyone over Saturday afternoon to enjoy his pool and hoped she wasn’t making a huge mistake.

  “Wow, this is Parker’s house?” Jackson asked, gawking out the window. Seeing the awe on his face warmed Marie’s heart. “And he said we could come? You guys didn’t break up?”

  “Jackson, for the tenth time we did not break up.” She sighed. “And yes, Parker said we could come over. He wants everybody to enjoy his pool.” Marie smiled.

  “This is the coolest day ever,” Jackson said. “I just wish he was here.” And so did she.

  “Be on your best behavior inside, okay? And don’t touch anything.”

  “Geez. Mom, we’re not toddlers.” Lexi snorted as she looked at Isaac. Marie glared at her, her sarcasm was not appreciated.

  “To your mother, you’ll always be babies,” Ann teased. Tessa nodded in agreement.

  “I can’t believe this place,” Tessa said as everyone piled out of Ann’s SUV.

  “I know, it’s amazing,” Marie agreed.

  Marie led her clan up to the entry and she rang the doorbell and Vicky answered moments later.

  “Well good afternoon, Marie.” Vicky greeted with a sweet smile. “Come in everyone.” She held open the door, pleasantly nodding to each person that passed.

  “Thank you, Vicky. I’ll just take everybody to the back so we won’t be in the way.”

  “Oh dear, you could never be in the way. I have snacks set up on the veranda and Héctor will be over in an hour to grill.”

  Marie stared at her, stunned. “Oh, that’s not necessary. We’ll order pizza or something.”

  Vicky put her arm around her as they walked to the back. “Dear, Mr. Nichols gave me a list of items to have for your gathering. Even from another country, he’s going to take care of you. Let him,” she urged.

  “Oh, I like you, Vicky.” Ann smiled. “Listen to her Marie; let him take care of you.”

  Vicky smiled brightly, nodding.

  Watching everyone “ooh” and “ahh” over the backyard was fun for Marie. It also made her miss Parker. It just wasn’t the same being there without him. For the next hour she sat on the edge of the pool watching the kids, and everywhere she looked, she saw Parker.

  The activity around Héctor made Marie laugh. Everybody took a turn talking to him as he demonstrated his grill master skills. The savory smell of tri-tip seasoned Santa Maria style filled the air, and she couldn’t wait to try it. Marie wasn’t the only one anxious for the dinner bell to sound. Everyone waited with bated breath to sink their teeth into Héctor’s barbecue.

  Marie observed Héctor with a keen eye and could see why Parker liked him. It wasn’t only about his culinary skills, which were outstanding, but Héctor was genuine and personable. He had a relaxed, friendly demeanor, told jokes and stories about his cooking disasters. And his hearty laugh kept the spectators in stitches. Like with Vicky, Marie could easily be friends with Héctor.

  The peace Marie felt being at Parker’s amazed her. She felt like he was with her in some magical way and it made her yearn to be with him for real.

  “Okay, everybody. Scooch together. I want to take a picture of you in the pool,” Marie said. “One more.” She snapped another shot. “Perfect.”

  Ann walked out of the pool, wrapped a towel around her and joined Marie on the veranda.

  “This is some sweet living out here. How can you stand to not be here all the time?” Ann asked, taking a drink of her cocktail. This was her first time at the mansion. Like Brooke, Ann and Tessa were very impressed with Parker’s estate.

  Marie looked around and smiled. “It’s breathtaking, isn’t it? There, I just sent Parker the picture with a big thank you.” She looked at Ann and frowned.

  “He’s a keeper you know. You gotta cut him a break. When will he be home?”

  “Monday, if filming wraps up on schedule. You have no idea how much I want him. Why did it have to be Sasha?” Her phone buzzed just then, a text from Parker.

  Parker: Jackson looks crazy happy. LOL I’m glad everyone’s having a good time. Why weren’t you in the picture? Send me a pic of my beautiful girl…I miss her.

  A dreamy sigh swirled out of her. “Can you take a picture of me? He wants me to send him one.”

  “Okay, take your clothes off.”

  Marie started giggling.

  “What, you think I’m joking?”

  Marie stuck her hip out and crossed her arms.

  “Fine. Smile pretty.”

  “Thank you.” Marie giggled some more as she sent him the picture. “How am I supposed to get over him being with Sasha?”

  “The same way you got over Craig’s affair and the divorce. You give it time. And while you’re doing that, you can have the best sex you’ve ever had with the dashing Parker Nichols. You know he loves you.”

  “No, I don’t know that.” Her phone buzzed again.

  Parker: You’re gorgeous. I can’t wait until I can kiss you and make love to you.

  Marie: Me too.

  Parker: Really??? I’ll be there in an hour!

  Marie: Ha-ha, funny. But really, I miss you too.

  Parker: I’ll seriously be there in an hour. I have to strike when the fire is hot!

  She took a deep breath and showed Ann the text.

  “He made you tingle and get wet, didn’t he?” She winked.

  Marie giggled again. “He’s crazy, but yeah.”

  “He’s crazy about you, girlfriend.”

  Marie had to agree. Ever since they were in communication again, she had felt better, though it was still hard. Could she really get past him being with Sasha? She wanted to, desperately.

  A year ago, at this time, Marie’s relationship with Jackson wasn’t typical for a mother and son. She was his cook, maid, and driver. A caretaker. There weren’t hugs and kisses. Playful giggles. Or in-depth talks about superheroes. Now as he smiled back at her, her heart melted. Her little boy had returned. It didn’t take long for him to turn into a water baby in Parker’s pool, having the best time swimming with Lexi and Isaac. His squeals and laughter kept a grin on her face. But he wasn’t the only person having a grand old time. Even Ann and Tessa got in on the fun. While her people were in the water, Marie relished the sun and the ocean breeze on a chaise. Feeling relaxed, her eyes closed, and she
nodded off.

  Dreams about Parker were a common occurrence these days. The scene always the same—he was making love to her. His hand glided up her leg, his fingers entwined with hers, and then he kissed the tips. She sighed, enjoying his touch. Then he spoke to her. “Nothing matters more to me than you,” he whispered. And then he kissed her softly, running his tongue along the top of her lip and stirring her up inside. She hummed enjoying the taste of him. It felt so real… Wait. She tried to wake herself, but it wasn’t a dream. It was real. Her eyes flashed open, and Parker kissed her nose.

  “Hi, beautiful.”

  “Parker! I thought I was dreaming. You’re not supposed to be back until Monday.”

  He laughed. “I texted you that I’d be here in an hour,” he teased. “We wrapped up early after I pushed everybody to get the final scenes done in two days. I needed to see you…I needed to be with you. I like that I’m in your dreams.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a hot, desire filled kiss. Overwhelmed with passion, she didn’t even care that they had an audience. When clapping ensued, she giggled against his mouth, but she wouldn’t let go of him.

  For the next couple of hours, Parker played with Jackson in the pool and Marie watched him with longing. The sight of his bare chest made her tremble with the remembrance of their weekend together. It had been two weeks, and she was wanting… needing.

  “Hey you, horny woman. I’ll stay with Jackson tonight so you can stay here,” Ann offered.

  “Really?!” Marie’s face brightened with excitement. No way would she deny being horny, she so totally was, and she’d never pass up a generous offer of babysitting.

  “Of course. You need this, and so does Parker. It’s disgusting really, to see him look at you like he wants to take you right here on the patio. He’s an animal.”

  Marie giggled and then sighed deeply. She knew the look.

  “Then to see him kiss you and whisper in your ear, like what the fuck is that?” Ann threw her hand up in the air and laughed.