“Not through the glass. Christ, he’s just a kid!”
“I know that!” I yelled, losing my shit.
I had to get this kid to a hospital and fast. The mayor would never want to work with me after I shoved a kid through a shop window.
“Alright, just don’t move. I’ll get you help.”
A young woman carrying a stack of books peered at the window, her glasses perched precariously on the edge of her nose. Taking in the scene, she shook her head slowly.
“Well, this is a new one.”
“Cassidy?” Parker gasped. “Is that you?”
“Michael?”
A smile stretched across her face as she took in my fiancé, and I suddenly found myself irrationally jealous.
“Oh my god!” Parker laughed, rushing through the shop door and wrapping his arms around the bookish woman. “Look at you, all grown up!”
“Well, that tends to happen as the years go by,” she chuckled. “Look at you! God, I can’t even get my arms around your huge body. Have you been taking steroids or something?”
“Military.”
“Right, I heard about that. I’m really sorry about what happened,” she said sympathetically.
“It’s all over now, so that’s something.”
“Well, it’s good to see you back. I know your family missed you.”
I stared at the conversation in a mix of confusion and fascination. This was Parker.My Parker.And he was hugging and talking to this woman as if they were best friends.
“Um…not to interrupt, but I really don’t feel so good,” the kid complained.
“Then you shouldn’t have stolen my purse,” I snapped, feeling irrationally angry about the fact that he was upset about bleeding out when Parker was over there making kissy faces at this book woman.
“Gosh, it’s so good to see you,” Cassidy grinned. “I’m so happy you’re back. Even if you did come crashing through my window.”
“Well, I didn’t. Thankfully, not this time.”
“Um…hello!” I shouted, getting Parker’s attention.
His grin slipped as he looked back at me and suddenly realized we had a bit of a situation on our hands. “Oh, shit. Sorry, this is my fiancée, Blake.”
As he held out his hand, I slapped it away, irritated by how long it took him to remember I was there. “Maybe you want to call 9-1-1?”
“Right. The kid.”
“Don’t worry about me,” the kid grunted. “Just bleeding all over the damn place.”
The woman put down her books and came over, holding out her hand. “I’m Cassidy.”
“Blake,” I muttered.
“It’s so great to meet you. I’ve heard all about you! I just didn’t think we’d meet like this.”
“How have you heard about me? I only got in two days ago.”
“Well, news travels fast in this town. I also hear congratulations are in order,” she beamed.
