CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER NINE

PARKER

My reflection looks back at me in the mirror as I get ready. It seems I’ve lost weight. There are dark circles under my eyes. I haven’t been sleeping well. Can’t get Ryan off my mind.

I’m unsurprised when Elle and Cathrine come over and team up on me. They’re tired of me shutting them out and saying I work too much. So now we’re going to the bar together.

They were right, however. I am running myself ragged. I swore I would slow down when I got here and take things easier. Instead, I’ve been pushing even harder than before. What am I doing?

I don’t look half bad by the time I finish getting ready. Foundation does wonders. My dress hangs a bit loose, particularly around the chest––it’s always the first place to shrink when I lose weight, which seems so unfair. Nevertheless, the dress still looks good on me. It’s a blue maxi that ends just above my knees, with short sleeves and a V-neck. I’ve accessorized it with several silver necklaces and paired it with my favorite black booties. I rush downstairs, turning off the lights as I descend. At the front door, I see Elle pulling up in front of the store.

“Perfect timing,” I say to her as I hop into the back seat of her Bronco.

Catherine is sitting up front. She turns around and checks me out.

“Your hair is getting so long,”

“I need to get it cut and colored.”

“I’ll give you the number of my girl,” Elle says, driving down the road. “She’s the best. I told her she could make a fortune in the city. Her husband works for Carson.”

We chat as we pull into the parking lot of the bar. It was only a ten-minute drive. I slip out of the back and wait for my friends. I’m glad they talked me into this.

We sit at a table at the back of the bar and order giant nachos and margaritas. I can’t wait to dig into the nachos. I’m practically drooling just thinking of them.

I eat and listen to Elle and Catherine talk about work. Elle is so busy at the bakery that she’s considering hiring extra help. Catherine is cutting back on yoga classes to concentrate on her paintings for a gallery show.

“That’s so cool,” I say to her. “I can’t wait to go.”

“I’ve always wanted to do this.”

“Congratulations are in order,” Elle says, holding up her shot glass as we clink and swallow. I raise my hand to get another round delivered to our table. Carson and Ryan enter, catching my eye.

“Did you know Carson was coming tonight?” I look toward Elle.

“Yeah, he’s driving us home when we’re ready.”

Both guys come over to our table; I look anywhere except at Ryan. Carson bends down and gives Elle a quick kiss.

“Are you guys ready to go home?”

We all laugh.

“No, we’re having fun. Remember, you promised,” Elle growls, giving him a hurt look.

Catherine and I laugh even harder.

“Okay. We’ll be over at the bar.” He gives her another kiss, and they leave. Ryan says nothing and I watch him walk away. The jeans really show off his ass. I turn back to the table, and both girls are giving me a look.

“What. He’s got a nice ass.”

“You need to date,” Elle says. “I’ve had guys at the bakery asking if you were available.”

“No,” I yell. I don’t want to date anybody.

“Come on,” Catherine says. “You don’t have to sleep with them. Just go out. You need to take a break and have some fun.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Our margaritas show up, and my love life, or lack thereof, is forgotten.

I have a good time with the girls, and my problems fade. I lean back in my chair. The crowd has thinned, and I’m unsure of the time. I look over toward the bar, expecting to see Ryan and Carson sitting there, but they’re gone. I scrunch up my face, trying to figure out where they are. Carson wouldn’t leave without us.

“Elle, where––” I stop talking because the guys are standing right there. I giggle and point to the bar. “You guys moved.”

I don’t know why it’s funny, but it is. I may have had a bit too much to drink.

“It’s time to go,” Carson tells us.

I stand and reach out with one hand to hold myself upright. An arm snakes around my waist to steady me.

“Thanks,” I say.

“Let’s get you out of here, huh?”

Ryan is standing close to me. I jerk back and bump into the table.

“I got you,” he murmurs in my ear.

His voice sends a warmth through my body. The man does something to me; it doesn’t matter how hard I resist.

We all leave the bar.

“I can take Parker home,” Ryan tells Carson as we get close to Elle’s Bronco. “It’s on the way.”

“That’s not a good idea,” I pipe up, wagging a finger at him. “Remember what happened last time you took me home?”

“What happened last time?” Carson asks.

Elle and Catherine aren’t paying attention to our conversation as they get into the vehicle.

I shake my head and make the hand gesture that I’m zipping my mouth.

Ryan laughs. I don’t think it’s funny. I’m ready to tell him that when he takes my hand and leads me away. I look back and see my friends are already easing out of their parking spot.

I mumble my disapproval as he assists me into the passenger seat. He ignores it and shuts the door. I contemplate making a scene but choose not to. I just want to get this over.

Mercifully, the ride is short, and I open the truck door as soon as it stops. I hurry along, trying to get away. I don’t want a repeat of what happened before. I don’t think I could handle that. Another rejection would be too much for me.

I’m in trouble when I hear footsteps behind me as I fumble to enter the code to my door. And when he says, “We need to talk,” I know I’m screwed.