"I didn't, but you forced my hand. I know you well enough to know you won't be a bitch in front of all these people."
I reared my head back like she slapped me. "You really think I would be a bitch to him?"
"No, I think you're defensive right now, and when you get like this, you dig your heels in. You might not plan to come off bitchy, but it will lead you to that if you get pushed into a corner."
"Isn't that what you're doing?" I pointed between the two of us.
"Yes, because I would rather you get it out of your system with me than take it out on him. Now pull your big-girl panties on and go talk to him. The guy has been dying to talk to you all week, and he gave you the space you needed. Now it's time to give him what he needs."
Damn Elle for being right.
"Fine." I huffed. "And just so you know, I'm wearing a thong with this dress. There's no way to hike it up any more without ripping the damn thing."
Elle burst out a laugh. "Duly noted."
I stuck my tongue out at her before turning around. Taking one last cleansing breath, I marched my ass across the church to where Parker was sitting in the same pew as he had been when he followed Elle.
The one side of Parker's mouth turned up in a sad smile when I got closer. I could see the hesitation in his eyes, and it made me feel like more of a jerk. I hated when Elle was correct.
"I take it Elle forced you to come over here?" Parker asked as soon as I took the seat next to him.
"You could say that."
"I'm sorry. If you need more time, then you should take it. I don't want to force you into anything. At least not more than I already have." The last sentence was nothing more than a whisper. I'm not even sure he knew he said it loud enough for me to hear.
"No, it's fine. I've been acting childish, and that's not like me. I normally face my problems head-on."
"I'm sorry that I'm one of your problems."
Up until that moment, I was looking straight ahead instead of at Parker. But as soon as those words left his mouth, I whipped my head around to look at him.
He looked nothing like the confident man who’d approached me at a bar just one week ago. Damn I was doing a number on him.
I sighed. "This isn't about you."
"Theit's not you, it's mespeech." Parker looked down at his hands where they rested in his lap.
I actually chuckled at that. It surprised the hell out of me, and Parker must've felt the same way because his head snapped up so fast that it had to hurt his neck.
"If there was any time for that particular speech to be accurate, it's now."
"I like your laugh. It's one of the things that kept my interest in Vegas."
I could feel my cheeks heating at the mention of our time together, and if that didn't throw me for a loop, then I don't know what would. I never blushed. I didn't even think it was possible for me to do so, but as I was quickly learning with Parker, there were a lot of firsts for me.
"Oh yeah? And what else kept your interest?"
It was easier to talk about this than our current predicament.
"Your honesty. You have a no-bullshit attitude that I find refreshing. I've met too many people in my life who would rather tell me what they think I want to hear."
"Well, you'll never get that from me. I call it like I see it, which is probably why Elle is pissed I’ve hidden from you for an entire week. It goes against my nature."
"So why did you do it?" I could see Parker was genuinely curious. He wasn't just asking to save face or because he felt like it was owed of him to ask me that. He wasn't the only one who found it refreshing.
My ear met my shoulder before bouncing back up. "Because it was hard to reconcile what I did. I've done some crazy shit in my life, but this is by far the worst, and I don't mean that in anegative way. I guess I didn't want to face what you would think about me now that I'm sober."
Parker took my hand and threaded our fingers together. "You seem to forget that I was just as drunk as you. You're not the only one who can't remember what happened. There will be zero judgement coming from me."
