His eyes went from distant to shocked. If I knew him better, I might even say he looked like he was going to be sick.
I wasn’t an idiot. Denise didn’t sound like good news. When I agreed to come out here, I figured I would be isolated to the house where I would mind my own business. However, at this moment, I found the ‘mind my business’ part hard to do, and before I knew it, my mouth was opening to join the conversation.
“Oh, Mr. Woods, I hope it won’t be too much trouble to cancel. Parker already asked me if I would attend the gala with him.”
Mr. Woods didn’t hide the sneer on his face now. He looked from me to Parker, then to me again. Mr. Strauss sat with a Cheshire grin on his face as if he was enjoying the show.
Parker cleared his throat. “Yes, Father. Willow has graciously agreed to be my date for the evening. There's no need to involve Denise. I don’t think Jackson would appreciate me stealing his fiancée for the night anyway.”
Yup. I definitely didn’t want to get involved with whatever was going on with Denise.
I was trying to give Mr. Woods the benefit of the doubt, but he was making it extremely difficult. Arranging a date for Parker with a woman who already had a man? It seemed like everyone was just a pawn in his game.
Like the showman he was, Mr. Woods recovered swiftly and promptly changed the subject, engaging Mr. Strauss in another conversation about business and ending the conversation with me.
This subject was closed for now. I didn’t have any high hopes of winning over Mr. Woods. I knew speaking up wouldn’t put me in his good graces. He didn’t spare me another glance the rest of the meeting.
Inserting myself in Parker’s business was out of character for me. I just got tired of seeing Mr. Woods take subtle shots at Parker throughout the whole meal. Parker let it roll off his shoulder, though. He smiled when spoken to, or nodded his head in agreement at the right times.
Parker didn’t have to help me, but he did. The least I could do was show up for him. He wouldn’t have even come back if it weren't for me. I overheard him on the phone with his sisters before we left New York. They were both shocked to hear he was coming home, asking him if he was sure multiple times. Whatever had gone down between them wasn’t good, and judging by the tension in the room, the wound was still fresh.
I continued to quietly study the room, checking the entrance every time my eye caught a wisp of a person. Parker swore it wassafe, but I couldn’t help myself. Every time I saw a flash of blond hair, my heart hammered in my chest.
Shortly after, Parker laid a hand on my shoulder, snapping me out of my thoughts and people watching. He held out his hand and helped me out of my seat. Mr. Woods and Mr. Strauss were standing up and shaking hands, saying their goodbyes as Parker led me out of the restaurant.
He led me to a gazebo in the middle of the outdoor area, not uttering a word as we walked the pathway. I was used to the silence these days, so it didn’t bother me that Parker didn’t speak right away.
“Evelyn, you didn’t have to do that,” Parker said with his back still turned, looking out on the green. “I know you probably caught on that there is something going on between me and my family, but you don’t have to put yourself in the middle for me. You don’t owe me anything.”
I scoffed, and he finally turned around to look at me. “Look, I know you didn’t want to come back here, but you did—for me. You don’t need to share all the details with me, but you did help me. The least I could do for you, saving my life and offering me protection, is to attend a simple party.”
“I didn’t do any of those things to get something in return. You needed help, and I offered it.”
“And now you need help, and I’m offering,” I countered. That made him smirk, and I could see the dimple that appeared occasionally. I hadn’t noticed earlier, but Parker didn’t smile much. Honestly, that was probably for the best, because that dimple and those looks would have women falling over their feet after him,including me.
He chuckled and moved toward me. Before I realized what was happening, Parker was sweeping me up in a hug. The contact gave my heart a start, and tears pricked my eyes. It had been a while since I had been hugged. Another reminder thatI’ve been alone for too long. It took a moment, but Parker didn’t notice. I wrapped my arms around him and embraced him.
He pulled away and smiled down at me. “I have an idea, and it'll help the time pass while we wait for news in New York.”
His smile is infectious, so much so that I almost reveal one of my own, but I’m way too apprehensive about what he’s about to suggest.
“Let’s make a list.”
My face must have shown the confusion I felt because he laughed again, this time a little harder. I could tell his mood was drastically improved now that we’re away from his father.
“What kind of list? Do you really think I’ll be here for that long?” The thought was chilling. Although I didn’t have much waiting for me back home, I didn’t want to constantly be looking over my shoulder all the time waiting for Charles to find me. That thought was even more sobering.
“A list of things that you’ve wanted to do but couldn’t.
“I—” I try to cut him off, not wanting to hear another suggestion about how I should live my life.
“Hear me out first!” his eyes plead for my attention. “When I look at you, I see a survivor, but I also see someone weighed down by remorse. You’re still here, Evelyn.”
Turning away from him, I stared at the green, watching the golf carts and people go by.
And I live with that fact every day.
I want to lash out, hating the way he sees me so clearly. I don’t need Parker to fix me.
