by Ali Parker
“Agreed. The water was scorching.”
He laughed and she smiled as she finished getting ready. She looked over at him as she pulled her tennis shoes on and worked to tie them. “What do you honestly think about me dating Jason, Park?”
He sat up, his brow raising in what looked like surprise. “You thinking about it?”
“Answer my question first and then I’ll answer yours.”
“You’re so childish sometimes.” He winked and leaned back, his elbow propping him up. “I think it would be a great love affair for you, and one that would last until you were well into your years.”
She laughed at him. “You sound ridiculous. I’m concerned about his age.”
“I thought your main concern was him working for us.”
“That too, but he pushed me a little on going out yesterday, and I told him that I didn’t date people that worked with or for me.” She shrugged, sitting up and pulling the towel from her head.
“And what was his response?”
“He quit.”
“He what?” Parker moved from the bed like his butt was on fire, his eyes wide and his face full of shock. “He can’t quit. I have plans for that boy. He’s smarter than both of us put together. What the hell, Becca?”
She laughed and walked to the dresser, ignoring him and working a brush through the knots in her hair. “I told him he couldn’t quit, so he told me that if he stayed then I couldn’t use that as an excuse not to date him.”
“And you agreed to that?”
“Sure, but his age trumps the whole conversation anyway.”
“Wait … did you tell him that you’d date him if he stayed or that you dating him wouldn’t rest on whether he worked for us or not? Just making sure I don’t need to report you to the state board for unethical behavior and such.” He smoothed the front of his dark T-shirt, the Cheetos on his fingers leaving streaks of orange.
She rolled her eyes at him in the mirror. “Shut up. I’m worried about his age. He was having someone wipe his nose and button his pants as I was getting my diploma. That’s disturbing.”
“That is disturbing.” Parker snorted as she huffed. He walked up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders, leaning over to press his cheek next to hers and stare at the two of them in the mirror. “You know … you can’t live your life by the standards you set up in high school, Becca. Things change and people grow up. If you’d seen Jason in a bar, you’d have assumed he was twenty-eight and he’d have assumed you were twenty-five, and the rest would be history.”
“I would have asked his age.”
“Bullshit.”
She pulled away from him, huffing, hating that he was right. She would’ve enjoyed the night with him and gone out for drinks a few days later, hoping that they would turn into something. She would’ve been hoping he’d be better than her pseudo knight in shining armor who might one day return to sweep her off her feet.
“I’m right, aren’t I?” Parker walked to her closet and dug through a group of shirts hanging at the very back that belonged to him. They’d been friends for so long that she’d kept a few articles of his clothing over the years. He was there too often with issues or heartbreak not to.
“You’re right.” She pulled her long wet hair into a ponytail and reached for a pink hoodie that lay over a large plush sitting chair in her room. She carefully pulled it over her head and shrugged as he stared at her. “I guess my age concern is invalid.”
“The work concern isn’t, though.” Parker moved from the opening of the closet, pulling his stained T-shirt off and putting on another one very similar to the first. His stomach was smooth and thin like a swimmer, his skin pale and yet attractive. He winked at her after he pulled his shirt down. “Like the show?”
“Always. Nothing like watching a sexy man who feels like a brother to you dress himself.”
“Pervert. I feel molested.” Parker walked toward her as she turned and jogged to the front door, Parker picking up speed to catch up.
“You wish,” she yelled as he caught up and wrapped his arms around her waist, picking her up and spinning in the middle of the living room. He sat her down and she turned, smiling up at him.
“I do wish, but that’s another conversation for another day.” He smiled and reached over to grab his wallet and keys. “I think you and Jason would be great together. Let’s just make sure he’s not going to be jealous of me and you. If that’s going to be the case … he’s out before he ever gets in.”
She walked to the door, unlocking it and looking back at him. “It’s not your call whether he’s in or out, mister.”
“Good damn thing, I suppose.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because no one’s good enough in my book to be ‘in’ with you.”
“Not even you?”
He laughed as he moved her into the hall, his fingers brushing the top of her rear as he growled softly, “Especially not me.”
Chapter 16
The traffic on the way to work on Monday morning was heinous, but having Parker in the car made it a bit easier. He’d demanded to drive, whining something about losing his masculinity if he let a woman drive him to work. He claimed that Rebecca might as well cut off his balls. She rolled her eyes at the drama and threw him the keys, reminding him that they could always drive separately.
And people complain about women being emos.
She’d spent most of Sunday afternoon cooking and cleaning; her laundry pile had gotten ridiculous. She’d have to run to the cleaners that afternoon to pick up her dry-cleaning so that she’d be ready for her flight to Oklahoma on Tuesday just after lunch. Jason verified that he would be going with her, so first thing after reaching the office, Rebecca stopped by to get the new receptionist, Lisa, to book them two tickets.
She parted ways with Parker, the morning still early and the rest of the staff usually not getting in until later in the day. Then she walked into her office and smiled at the tall vase of red roses that was sitting on her desk. She tried not to feel the excitement of new love, but it swam around her, making her a little dizzy. She leaned in to smell the flowers and picked up the card, wondering how Jason had managed to get these beautiful things into her office before even arriving.
Becca,
It was good to see you Saturday night. I know it’s been a while, but I want to fill in the gaps for you. I’m sorry for who I was back then, but I’m not that guy anymore. Have dinner with me tonight and let’s figure this out.
~Kade
She swallowed hard and put the card back in the small envelope, her face flushing at the thought that Kade would work so hard to get something into her office before nine on Monday morning.
The flowers should’ve been from Jason. That would’ve made more sense. It would’ve made life easier.
Rebecca looked up at the sound of Jason’s voice, a questioning look on his handsome face. “Oh, wow. Who’s the admirer?” Jason asked, leaning against the doorframe, his emotions showing through around the edges of his calmness.
“My old friend, Kade.”
“Oh, the contractor we met on Saturday morning?”
“Yep. He’s trying to make amends for upsetting me.” She shrugged and moved the flowers to the file cabinet at the back of her office, out of the way and no longer a glaring reminder that she needed to have a serious heart-to-heart with her old love.
“How did he upset you?”
“He broke my heart into a thousand pieces and then left town like it didn’t matter at all.” She looked up, her chin lifting in a bit of defiance at having to have the conversation they were having.
“Becca, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.” He walked in and moved around to her side of the desk, his hands reaching out to cup her shoulders. “It’s not my business.”
She breathed in slowly and looked up at him. “I appreciate that. I just need to work through a few things.”
He nodded and smiled, sadness brushing across his face. �
��I understand. I am looking forward to going on this trip together, though.”
She moved back, his hands dropping away from her, and then she turned to lean over and flip the switch for her computer. “I am too. Just remember that whatever is going on between us is something that’s not happening here or in front of our clients. We’re nothing but business associates here. Good?”
He chuckled and moved back to the door before turning and smiling at her. “And what exactly is going on between us?”
She shrugged and busied herself with the papers on her desk. “I don’t think we’ve figured that out yet.”
He tapped the door a few times and she looked up, a smile brushing across her lips at how incredibly handsome he was, dressed up in his perfectly pressed suit. “I’m dying to find out.”
He left and she sat down, turning to look over her shoulder for a minute at the roses that sat there staring at her. How ridiculous Kade’s timing was. Maybe if he’d been back a year ago, or even a week ago, things wouldn’t be so convoluted, but of course he showed up just as she was starting to thaw toward the idea of dating another man. She growled into the air, as if he could hear her or feel her angst.
Rebecca took out her phone and sent him a quick text, hoping that the number he’d called her from a few days earlier was his and not a company phone. She thanked him for the flowers, and asked if this was his number. He responded right away that it was and that he was more than happy to get her flowers. He asked about dinner and she accepted, simply because she needed to know what was going on between them, but she said she wanted to go on Thursday night, not Monday. She needed to go on the trip with Jason to figure out what was between them.
If things were going to start moving forward for her and Jason, then Kade would need to be told that there was nothing for them to really discuss. If she and Jason weren’t going to happen, then perhaps it would be a good time to become friends—only friends—with Kade. She had a lot to work through with him, a lot of feelings that stung her every time she thought about him. If there was nothing for them in the future, then she didn’t need to waste the emotional energy mending fences.
Kade agreed to Thursday and said that he’d meet her out at her new house, hoping to surprise her with all he could get done by then. They’d lost another contract and that freed up a few more guys to come out and join Kade’s crew on her house. She thanked him and tossed her phone into her purse, looking up with a grimace on her face as Parker poked his head in the door.
“Flight’s booked. Ten tomorrow morning on United.” He lifted an eyebrow. “What’s up? You have flowers in your office and look like you’re ready to spit nails.”
She leaned back in her chair, letting out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. “They’re from Kade.”
“Oh,” Parker breathed out, moving in to sit in the empty chair before her. “Did Jason see them?”
She rolled her eyes, not wanting to have this workplace drama start, as it seemed to be doing regardless of her wishes and desires. “Yes.”
Parker smiled and looked over his shoulder as if he might get caught any minute. “That can’t be good.”
“It’s irrelevant. Jason and I aren’t anything yet, and while we’re here, we’re strictly business associates.”
Parker turned back in his seat, a smile on his face. “Yes, well, you can tell him that you’re strictly business associates, but any male worthy of his balls would be thinking about you in the most inappropriate of ways here in this office.”
She picked up a rubber band and popped it toward him, the small item smacking into the side of his neck. He covered the mark as he yelled, “Ouch!”
“That’s going to leave a mark, and then the whole office will think it’s a hickey from you.” He stood up and smiled devilishly. “That’s going to be waaaaaay worse than you getting flowers from an old fling.”
“Get out.” She turned and started to work on her wrap-up presentation for her meeting with Mr. Vandenbilt, everyone else having far too much fun for getting anything done.
“I’m teasing and you know it. Well, sort of.”
“Out.”
“Fine, grumpy.”
She looked over her shoulder to see her office empty and sighed in relief. It would probably be a better idea just to work from home, but with her luck, more questions would swivel around the office if she called in than if she just showed up. She got up and closed her door, finding the serenity and peace that she needed to get a few things done.
It wasn’t until lunchtime that the silence was broken and the world found its way back into the center of her attention. Trisha called, her questions flying left and right about any and everything under the sun.
Rebecca stood up, stretching as Trisha yapped in her ear about being left out of everything.
“Trisha … Trisha. Let’s just meet for lunch. I’ll see you at Bellzies in thirty minutes.”
She hung up, grabbed her purse and slipped out with no one but the new receptionist to see her.
The cafe was busy, but a small table still sat open in the corner, the seat yourself setting making life harder during the rush hour effect of lunchtime in downtown Houston. Rebecca hurried over, smoothing her gray skirt as she slid into one of two lonely chairs. She checked her phone and slipped it into her purse, sitting back and enjoying the diverse array of people. Most of those in the deli were on their lunch hour too, by the nervous tick of impatience that sat on many of their faces; their fidgeting gave them away.
She waved as Trisha walked in and motioned her over. “Hey, you.”
“Hey, Becca.”
Rebecca stood and pointed to the other seat. “Take a seat and I’ll get us something. I don’t want to lose this table, and that’s worth paying for your lunch today.”
Trisha laughed and sat down. Her black slacks fit well, but her purple sweater was a little loud for Rebecca’s liking.
“I’ll take a turkey on rye and a bag of chips.”
Rebecca nodded and walked toward the line, a handsome blond walking in the door and approaching the line as she did. She stopped to let him go in front, but he simply smiled and motioned for her to go. “Ladies first, always.”
She laughed softly at the adorable look on his face. “Manners are rare nowadays.”
“Manners are a southern thing altogether, are they not?” He moved in behind her and leaned against the counter as they waited in line. He had to be just out of school, which would put him at about the same age as Jason.
“I guess you’re right, although I hear more people telling their kids they don’t need to have them.”
“Shame really. Nothing like using manners to fool the world into thinking you aren’t the devil in disguise.”
Her eyebrow lifted. “Are you the devil in disguise?”
He laughed then, his motions making him look even younger. “No. I’m far too much of a good boy to be the devil, though I hear he’s got it pretty good.”
Rebecca shook her head, a smile playing on her lips as she moved in front of the register. “Nothing like playing in the smoking section for eternity.”
The guy chuckled and Rebecca focused on putting in her order. She took the ticket and two cups and made her way back to Trisha, giving her the opportunity to fill up their drinks. Sitting down, Rebecca looked back over to find her new friend turning back to look at her. He winked and she just shook her head. Good boy … yeah right.
Trisha walked back over, turning to follow Rebecca’s line of sight, and laughed as she sat down. “Really? Everywhere we go a hot guy has to pay you attention?”
“Was he hot?”
Trisha gave her a knowing look that said she wasn’t buying innocence from her best friend. “Slightly.”
“So what’s up? We just saw each other on Saturday and here we are again. Everything okay?” Rebecca took a quick drink of her soda and worked to get her ticket in the stand that sat on the edge of the table to alert the waitstaff what order belonged to them.
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“I just wanted to know how you felt about Kade being back in town and was honestly curious about what the hell was up with Parker? Who comes all the way to North Houston to get someone from a club at midnight? His wife didn’t care?”
Trisha leaned forward, her purple sweater almost swallowing her small frame. Rebecca tried to ignore her distaste for it and instead focus on all the questions her friend threw her way. There wasn’t much to tell, other than the fact that Kade didn’t spark anything in her, which shocked her as much as it would Trisha. They’d all grown up together, so if anyone knew how Rebecca felt about Kade, it was Trisha.
“I wish I had something great to say about Kade being back, but it honestly isn’t at all what I thought it would be.” She shrugged, not even sure herself why the flame wasn’t burning bright. Kade seemed to be interested in revisiting the past and making something of them, but she just felt … nothing.
“I’m honestly not surprised by that.”
Rebecca tilted her head, taken aback by her friend’s words. “Really? I thought you’d be shocked. Hell, I think I’m shocked.”
“No, I mean, yes, I thought you’d have feelings for him that you’d have to work through, but I’m not surprised, because it’s been sixteen years, Becca. That’s a really long time, and he’s not at all the same guy, nor are you the same girl.”
“True, and I think building it up for so long and dreaming about it made the actual event of seeing him again a letdown.” Rebecca looked up and smiled at the server as she dropped off their food.
“You built him up to be something heavenly, and he wasn’t then and isn’t now.”
“True.” Rebecca picked up her pickle, biting into it and grabbing her napkin quickly to save her white blouse from drops of florescent green liquid. “I’m more upset with all the lost opportunities with other great guys over the years.”
“You mean because you were too scared to give them a chance after Kade broke your heart—not to mention the fact that you were still harboring some sort of weird fantasy that things would somehow magically happen with him?”
