Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

PARKER

T he knot in my stomach tightened as I pulled up outside my old apartment and turned off the engine. I had rehearsed what I would say when I saw David again, how I'd keep my voice steady and my hands from trembling, but now, I wasn't so sure I'd be able to. It had been a month since we'd ended things—a month of long nights tossing and turning and replaying every moment of our relationship in my head.

I climbed out of the car, thankful Travis had let me borrow it so I could get the rest of my stuff. To be honest, I had a lot more than just that to thank him for. Travis had been my rock ever since he came and got me from the bar, giving me a place to stay, patiently listening for hours on end as I talked about my history with David, putting his arm around me when I cried. Breaking up with David was the hardest thing I'd ever had to do, and I didn't know what I would have done if I hadn't had Travis by my side.

The crisp autumn air nipped at my cheeks, the wind trying to steal the colorful leaves off the trees. I walked up the front steps and paused, my hand hovering over the buzzer. What if things were awkward between us, or worse, what if David was angry with me now? The thought made my stomach churn. Taking a deep breath, I pushed the button.

"Come on up." His voice sounded tinny through the ancient speakers. "Hey, Parker," he greeted me with a warmth I hadn't heard in a long time, a smile that actually reached his eyes. His hair was tousled in that just-out-of-bed look I'd found irresistibly charming once upon a time.

"Hey," I replied, my voice steadier than I anticipated. But then, there's something about seeing someone you cared about looking healthier, happier, that soothes the sting of loss. We moved through the apartment with practiced ease, David helping me grab the boxes of my things and carrying them out to the car. There were no lingering touches or sorrowful glances; instead, there was this unspoken understanding between us, a mutual respect for the love we once shared.

"So, how have you been?" I asked on our final trip down to the car.

His smile seemed genuine. "Good. It was rough for a while, but I'm slowly getting better."

I nodded. "Same here. Got to take it one day at a time, right?"

"Exactly." I shoved the box I had inside the trunk and turned to take his.

"So, uh—Dr. Martinez asked me out," he said nervously as he handed me a box filled with various keepsakes—a mix of cinema ticket stubs and seashells from vacations past. His gaze refused to meet mine.

"Martinez?" I echoed, trying to place a face to the name before realizing it didn't matter. I clutched the cardboard box a little tighter, a myriad of emotions swirling within me. "What did you say?"

David shrugged awkwardly, leaning against the side of the car. "I don't know. I'm not sure if I'm ready."

I took a deep breath, steadying myself before I responded. "You deserve to find happiness, David." The words felt heavy on my tongue, but they were true. Our relationship may have changed, the love we shared fizzling out, but one thing had never changed. David was my friend. He and I had been friends long before he became my boyfriend, and with any luck we'd find a way to remain friends after. I really hoped so. I couldn't imagine not having him in my life at all.

"Thanks, Parker." He smiled, and it struck me just how much I missed that smile—the unabashed, full-wattage grin that used to light up my darkest days. "And you? Are you happy?"

I paused, considering the question. The truth was, I wasn't sure. "I'm working on it," I admitted.

He clapped me on the shoulder. "You'll get there. I know you will. You're one of the good ones, Parker Reyes. You deserve someone who will always put you first," he said, his words laced with sincerity.

With the car loaded up, we said goodbye and I watched David until he'd disappeared inside the building. I lingered on the sidewalk, taking one last look at the place we had shared—the place we had hoped to make into a home. With a deep breath, I realized it was okay to leave pieces of your heart in the places and people that shaped you. That's how we grow.

As I drove away, the city unfolded before me—bustling and alive, full of endless possibilities. And somewhere in the hustle and bustle, I knew I'd find my own version of happiness. Maybe it was waiting for me at the clinic, wrapped up in the warm, easy smiles of Travis, or maybe it was still hiding, tucked away in the corners of tomorrow.

But for now, at least I had a sense of closure, a feeling that everything was going to be alright. And in that moment, with the remnants of the day melting into night, I was content in the knowledge that both David and I were on our paths to finding what we truly needed.

"Hey, Parker?" Travis called from his office door, snapping me out of my reverie. "You ready to call it a night?"

I glanced up from the last of my patient reports and nodded, returning his easy smile. "Yeah, just give me one sec to finish this up."

"Take your time," he said, leaning against the doorway with a grace that seemed innate to him. His casual stance, the way his blond hair fell just right, the perpetual tan that made his blue eyes stand out—it all painted the picture of a man who had never known a moment of self-doubt.

"Done," I declared, clicking save on the document before pushing back from my desk. The clinic was quiet, the hushed sounds of the city outside filtering through the walls. It felt intimate, this shared space at the end of the day when everyone else had gone home.

Travis met me as I stepped into his office, his athletic build outlined by the soft light from his desk lamp. "So, what are you thinking for dinner? We could grab a bite somewhere or pick something up to take home?"

"Either sounds good," I replied, feeling a flicker of warmth at the thought of spending the evening with him. "Your call."

"Let's go out," he suggested, a playful tilt to his lips. "I could use some fresh air after being cooped up in here all day."

"Sounds perfect."

Travis steered us towards a cozy Mexican restaurant tucked away on a side street, its warm glow spilling onto the sidewalk like an invitation. As we stepped inside, the tantalizing scent of sizzling fajitas and spices enveloped us, transporting us from the chilly Chicago evening to a vibrant cantina south of the border.

The hostess led us to a secluded booth in the corner, illuminated by the soft flicker of a candle nestled in colorful glass. Travis slid in across from me, his knee brushing mine under the table. That simple touch sent electricity coursing through my body, and I had to take a steadying breath.

"So,Travis said, his eyes twinkling in the candlelight, "what's your poison? They make a mean margarita here."

I couldn't help but grin. "A margarita sounds fantastic," I replied, grateful for the suggestion.

Our server arrived promptly, and we took turns ordering. As we waited for our drinks, a comfortable silence settled between us. I found myself studying Travis's face, noticing details I'd somehow missed before—the slight crinkle at the corners of his eyes when he smiled, the way his hair caught the golden light of the candle.

"What?" he asked, catching me staring.

"Nothing," I said, feeling my cheeks flush. "Just thinking about…my last patient."

He chuckled, clearly not buying my excuse. "Your last patient, huh? Must have been quite the case."

I laughed, grateful for his easygoing nature. "Okay, you caught me. I was just thinking how nice this is. Us, here, unwinding after work."

"It is nice," he agreed, his voice softening. "I'm glad you're here, Parker. Not just at dinner, but—you know, working with me, staying at my place."

Our margaritas arrived, the salt-rimmed glasses glistening in the candlelight. I took a sip, savoring the salty tartness on my tongue. "I'm enjoying it too. I appreciate you giving me a place to stay, but I know you must be getting sick of me invading your personal space."

The look on his face was fierce. "Not at all. I like having you around. As far as I'm concerned, you can stay as long as you'd like. Unless—you want to leave?"

I smiled softly, once again thanking the heavens for putting this man in my life. "No, I like it at your place, spending time with you."

His shoulders relaxed as he leaned back in his seat. "Good, then it's settled. No more talk about you being in my way."

As we settled into conversation, the noise of the restaurant faded into the background. Travis regaled me with stories from his college days, his animated gestures and infectious laughter drawing me in. I found myself leaning closer, captivated by the way his eyes lit up when he talked about his friends.

"—and then Jasper, bless his heart, tries to convince the bouncer that he's actually a forty-year-old man trapped in a college kid's body," Travis chuckled, shaking his head at the memory.

I laughed, picturing the scene. "Did it work?"

"Not even close," Travis grinned. "We ended up at a twenty-four-hour diner instead, plotting our revenge on the kid that sold us the fake IDs."

Our food arrived, steaming plates of enchiladas and fajitas filling the air with mouth-watering aromas. As we dug in, I couldn't help but notice the way his fingers deftly wrapped around his fork, or the little hum of pleasure he made with each bite. The candlelight danced across his features, highlighting the strong line of his jaw, the scruff of his five o'clock shadow, and the warmth in his gaze.

"So, Parker," Travis said, leaning in slightly, "tell me more about your hometown. What's it like there?"

I took another sip of my margarita before responding. "It was your typical small town, I guess. Festivals and parades each year to celebrate Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Homecoming. Friendly rivalries between the only three schools in the county, store owners who greeted you by name when you went in because they'd ‘known you since you were knee high to a grasshopper.'"

Travis laughed, the sound resonating within me and making me smile. "Sounds perfectly quaint. Do you ever think about moving back?"

I paused, considering. "Not anymore. Chicago feels like home now. I'm happy here."

His lips curved into a smile, his eyes softening as he held my gaze. "I'm glad to hear that," he said, his voice low and warm. "Chicago's lucky to have you."

The sincerity in his tone made my heart skip a beat. I found myself leaning in, drawn by the intensity of his gaze. "I think I'm the lucky one," I murmured.

For a moment, everything else faded away. It was just Travis and me, suspended in a bubble of candlelight and unspoken possibility. The moment stretched between us, electric and charged with potential. I found myself holding my breath, caught in his intense gaze. The sharp clatter of a dropped plate nearby made us both jump, startling us back to reality.

Travis blew out a long breath, like he'd been holding it in. Did he feel it too? This crazy chemistry that had been building between us, the intense longing to touch and be touched? He cleared his throat and ran a hand through his hair. Before he could say anything, our server appeared, cheerfully asking if we were ready for our bill and effectively ruining the moment.

The ride back to Travis's condo was filled with a charged silence, the air between us thick with unspoken tension. As we stepped into the elevator, I could feel the heat radiating from his body, standing so close I could catch the faint scent of his cologne. My fingers twitched with the urge to reach out and touch him.

The soft ding of the elevator reaching our floor startled me out of my thoughts. Travis fumbled with his keys, his usual grace momentarily absent as he unlocked the door. The condo was bathed in the soft glow of the city lights filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting long shadows across the sleek hardwood floors.

"I'm gonna grab some water," he said, his voice slightly husky. "You want anything?"

I shook my head, watching as he made his way to the kitchen. The sight of him moving through the space we'd been sharing stirred something deep within me. I followed him, drawn like a magnet.

He was leaning against the counter, water glass in hand, when I entered. His eyes met mine, and the intensity I saw there made my breath catch. "Parker," he said softly, setting down his glass. "I?—"

I closed the distance between us in two quick strides. Before I could second-guess myself, I cupped his face in my hands and pressed my lips to his. For a heart-stopping moment, he stood frozen, not kissing me back. Then, with a low groan, he came alive under my touch. His fingers gripping me by the shirt and pulling me flush against his body as he deepened the kiss.

It was electric, passionate, everything I'd been imagining and more. I dove into the kiss, slipping my tongue between his open lips and coaxing his into a dance. My heart soared and my pulse began to race. I was so lost in the kiss that it took a few seconds for me to realize Travis was no longer kissing me back and the hand that had been clutching the front of my shirt was gently pushing me away.

I stumbled back, my cheeks burning with embarrassment as reality came crashing down around me. The warmth of his lips still lingered on mine, but his eyes were wide with emotion I couldn't quite place. My stomach twisted into knots as I realized I had completely misread the situation.

"Oh god," I mumbled, running a shaky hand through my hair. "I'm so sorry, Travis. I thought—I mean, I felt like there was something between us, but clearly, I was wrong. I'm such an idiot."

The silence that followed was deafening. I could hear my own heartbeat pounding in my ears. The kitchen suddenly felt too small, too intimate. I wanted nothing more than to disappear into thin air, to erase the last few minutes from existence.

Travis stood there, his expression unreadable, one hand still pressed against his lips. The silence stretched between us, thick and oppressive. I felt my face burning with shame, my stomach churning with regret. How could I have misread things so badly?

"Parker, I—" he began, his voice low and strained.

I held up a hand, unable to meet his eyes. "No, please. You don't have to say anything. I'm so sorry. I'll just...I'll get out of here." I turned to flee, desperate to escape the suffocating tension of the kitchen. My vision blurred with unshed tears as I stumbled up the stairs. How could I have been so stupid? I'd ruined everything—our friendship, our working relationship, the comfortable routine we'd fallen into.

"Parker, wait!" Travis called after me, his footsteps echoing behind me. I froze, my hand on the doorknob of the guest room, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it. I couldn't turn around, couldn't bear to see the pity or disgust in his eyes.

"Please," he said softly, his voice closer now. "Can we talk about this?"

I squeezed my eyes shut, willing the floor to open up and swallow me whole. The silence stretched between us. Finally, I mustered the courage to turn around, keeping my gaze fixed on the floor. "I'm so sorry," I whispered, my voice cracking. "I completely misread everything. I thought—God, I'm such an idiot."

"Parker, look at me," he said, his voice gentle but firm. I reluctantly raised my eyes to meet his, bracing myself for the worst. But instead of disgust or anger, I saw a mix of emotions swirling in those blue depths—concern, affection, and something else I couldn't quite place.

"I like you, Parker. I like you A LOT, which is why I can't just be a rebound guy for you."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut, leaving me breathless and confused. "A rebound guy?" I echoed, my brow furrowing as I tried to process what he was saying.

He ran a hand over his jaw. "Look, you just got out of a long-term relationship. And I'd be lying if I said I haven't thought about this—about us." He took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving mine. "But I can't be a simple fling for you, Parker. I care about you too much for that. And I'm worried you're not ready for anything serious yet."

My heart raced as I processed his words. He hadn't turned me away because he didn't want me, he'd pushed me away because he wanted something more, something real. Travis liked me. He actually liked me. But he thought I was just looking for a rebound.

"Travis," I said softly, taking a step closer to him. "You're not a rebound. Not even close."

His eyebrows raised slightly, a flicker of hope crossing his features. "I'm not?"

I shook my head, gathering my courage. "Travis, I've seen men and women fall all over themselves to get your attention; servers, patients, even that little old lady that lives down the hall from you. You could never be someone's rebound guy. You're the one they're rebounding from. And besides—I like you too. A lot." I emphasized the last part the way he had.

His eyes softened, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Really?"

I nodded, my heart pounding. "Really. Being around you these past weeks, it's like—I don't know, like I'm finally waking up. Seeing things clearly for the first time."

He took a step closer, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from his body through his clothes. "Parker," he said softly, his voice low and husky. "Are you sure about this? Because if we do this, I don't want there to be any doubts or regrets. I don't think I could stand it if you regretted something we did. And I think we should go out. Properly."

"Oh my God! Is Travis Brooks actually asking me out on a date?" I teased. "But wait, I thought you never dated."

His eyes softened, a vulnerability I'd never seen before flickering across his features. He rubbed the back of his neck, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks. For a moment, the confident, carefree man I knew was replaced by someone almost shy, uncertain.

"I haven't," he admitted quietly, his gaze dropping to the floor before meeting mine again. "But that's only because I never met anyone I wanted to be with like that." He took a deep breath, as if steeling himself. "But you're different. You're—Fuck, Parker, you're everything."

My heart stuttered in my chest as he reached out, his fingers ghosting along my cheek. The touch was feather-light, but it sent electricity coursing through my body. "I want to take you out," he continued, his voice low and earnest. "I want to show you how special you are to me. I want to do this differently, because you're different. I want to do it right."

I leaned into his touch, my eyes fluttering closed for a moment as I savored the feeling of his hand on my skin. When I opened them again, Travis was looking at me with such intensity that it took my breath away. "Okay," I whispered, a smile tugging at my lips. "Let's do this right."

His face lit up with a grin that could outshine the sun. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," I nodded, feeling giddy and lightheaded. "But Travis?"

"Hmm?" He hummed, his thumb tracing gentle circles on my cheek.

"Can I kiss you again? Just once more before we start doing this properly?"

He chuckled, the sound low and warm causing a swirling sensation deep in the pit of my stomach. "I thought you'd never ask."

This time, when our lips met, it was slow and tender, a promise of things to come. Travis's hands gripped my hips, pulling me closer as I slid my hands up his chest to rest on his shoulders. The kiss deepened, and I felt myself melting into him, all the tension and uncertainty of the past few minutes dissolving away.

When we finally parted, both slightly breathless, he rested his forehead against mine. "Wow," he murmured, his blue eyes sparkling.

"Yeah," I agreed, unable to keep the smile off my face. "Wow."

We stood there for a moment, just holding each other, reveling in this new understanding between us. Then Travis pulled back slightly, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "So, Parker Reyes," he said, his voice playful, "would you like to go on a date with me tomorrow night?"

I couldn't help but laugh, feeling giddy and lightheaded. "I'd love to, Travis Brooks," I replied, matching his playful tone. "What did you have in mind?"

His eyes twinkled with mischief. "Oh, that's for me to know and you to find out. Just be ready at seven."

I raised my eyebrows. "Should I be worried?"

"Nah," Travis grinned, pulling me close again. "Trust me, okay?"

I nodded, my heart racing at his proximity. "I already do."

He brushed a soft kiss against my forehead before stepping back. "Now, as much as I'd love to keep kissing you all night, I think we should probably get some sleep. Big day tomorrow and all."

I reluctantly agreed, already missing the warmth of his arms around me. As we parted ways to head to our separate bedrooms, I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. The anticipation of our upcoming date mixed with the lingering sensation of Travis's lips on mine, created a heady cocktail of excitement and nerves.

Sleep didn't come easily that night. I tossed and turned, replaying every moment of our kiss, every word Travis had said. When I finally drifted off, my dreams were filled with blue eyes and gentle touches.