Chapter 12
Twelve
Jasmin
It felt like today took forever. Not because the work day was any different than normal.
No, it’s the fact I have plans tonight. Ones I’m secretly excited for.
Parker suggested we go to dinner sooner than later.
We never really hashed out any details about what is okay and what isn’t in regard to our relationship.
Honestly, I’m glad he thought about it. There are some things I may not be okay with. The fact he’s the one who is concerned about it shows how great of a guy he really is. I’m sure if he wasn’t averse to serious dating, he would have been snatched up years ago.
Then there’s me. I don’t think I’ve been asked for a second date since college. Not that I mind. I also don’t like the idea of dating someone with the intention to spend my life with them. It’s just another person to take care of, and I’m done with that. Well, except for my family.
“Oh shit.” I mutter as I rush to get into the correct lane.
I’m so deep in my own thoughts, I almost missed the exit.
To be fair, it’s not hard to overlook. The only thing signifying Asheville is even around here is the small green sign with the town’s name next to the one for the exit.
It’s a farm to market road, I think. It truly is a different world out here.
But I still can’t wait to see Parker, and that scares me.
I glance at the map as I make my way toward Asheville. It looks like the restaurant we’re meeting at is close to the flower shop. A part of me wonders why he didn’t want to meet at the bar. At least then he’d know word would get back to his brothers and sister.
The flower shop windows are dark, and I know they’ve closed for the day.
I drive down the road until the GPS tells me I’ve arrived.
It doesn’t look like there are any parking spots open.
There isn’t a lot or anything, just the little slots you can pull into.
Thank goodness there isn’t anyone behind me.
The last thing I want to do is hold up whatever is considered traffic here.
I see white lights coming from a car ahead of me.
Finally, someone is leaving. I’m totally snagging that spot.
There’s no telling how long it’ll take me to find another one, and I don’t know this town well enough to park somewhere else.
I’ve literally been to two places outside of the winery.
Though, I have a feeling I’ll know it pretty well by the time Daniela gets married.
For a weeknight, I’m surprised there are so many people out and about. I put the car in park and lift my hand to open my door, but there's a shadow of someone standing outside of it.
When I glance through the window, I see Parker beaming down at me.
After a quick wave; he opens the door and holds out his hand to help me.
I always knew he was charming, but this is on another level.
Nobody who isn’t related to me has ever offered to help me out of my car. Is it bad I secretly like it?
“You made it.” His voice is a whisper in the quiet night. Well, mostly quiet. There are sounds coming from the restaurant, and a couple of people walking by and talking.
“Yeah,” I smile. “Sorry it took so long. I hit traffic coming out of Dallas.”
“No worries. I only got here about ten minutes ago.”
He closes the door behind us, and with my hand still in his, leads us up the steps to the restaurant.
“How did you know what I drive?” He could have seen my car when we visited the winery the first time, but I don’t think so.
“I saw you through your windshield.” He gives my hand a quick squeeze. “Remember, it doesn't get dark early this time of year.”
“Oh, yeah.” I shake my head and let go of his hand, and walk in front of him as he opens the door. “Time change is still messing with me even though it’s been almost a month.”
“Me too. But it’s nice to get home from work and there’s still sunshine to do whatever I need to outside.”
I’m about to ask him what he does outside, but I’m interrupted by a guy behind the host stand.
“Hi Parker. I'm not used to seeing you during the week.”
“That's only because after a long day of moving bottles, I don't feel like coming into town, but I'm here with my girlfriend, Jasmin.”
“Whoa, girlfriend, huh?” His eyes move between the two of us, and he’s grinning as if he’s in on a secret. Is it that shocking Parker would bring a girlfriend out to eat?
“Yeah, it's new, but we're seeing how things play out.” He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me closer to him. It feels disjointed, but I like the way I feel in this space.
“That sounds like a really good idea.” He leans against the stand.
“Slow and steady is usually the best way to go. At least, that’s what I’ve heard from my mom.
” The guy says. Parker may have said his name, but I didn't hear it.
Or, they're just so friendly they don't feel the need to say their names.
I don't know, but I can tell Parker is well-liked in this community.
“Let me see what tables we have available.”
Once he leaves, I turn to Parker. “Do you know everyone at every establishment?”
I know the folks at the stores around my house. By around, I mean within two blocks. Past that, I couldn’t tell you the name of anyone who work in those places. I definitely wouldn’t be having friendly banter with them.
He shrugs his shoulders and chuckles. “It's kind of hard not to with a town this small. I'm not playing when I say everybody knows everybody, and they always know what's going on in your life, whether or not you want them to.”
“That is slightly terrifying.” A shudder ripples through my body at the thought.
“Yes, yes, it is.”
The host waves toward us, and Parker leads me to the back of the restaurant. There's a booth with a small vase of flowers set on a mosaic tile table.
“These are beautiful.” I rub my hand over the intricate patterns. “It reminds me of the tiles my grandma had on display in her house.”
“I’m Casey. Parker forgot to introduce us properly.
I’m sure his mom would be appalled.” The host holds his hand out for me to shake.
I gently place my hand in his, and after a brief up and down motion he lets go.
I guess he doesn’t want to cross any boundaries, not that I blame him.
“And they are beautiful. They've been in the owner's family for years, and he didn't know what to do with them, so he put them on the tables.”
Casey wraps his knuckles on the table. “Your server will be over here in a bit to take your order.”
“Thanks, man.” Parker gives his hand a quick shake before turning his attention back to me. “So do you like the vibe of this place?”
“Yeah, I love it. It has enough space to seat people, but it also feels cozy and it reminds me of my grandma's house, which is always a plus.” Aside from being at a booth, the smell of food takes me back to my childhood. It makes me miss her.
“That's good. This is the other place I was telling you about when you said y’all needed caterers for the wedding.”
“Let's wait to put it on the list until I've eaten the food.” I pick up the menu to see what they offer. “I’m very picky when it comes to Mexican food because I've grown up on it, and a lot of places just don't do it justice.”
It’s one of the things that annoys Daniela. She doesn’t have a problem eating at a restaurant without comparing it to what we’ve eaten at home.
“That's fair.” He nods in agreement. “I’m the same way about wine.”
I think it would be weird if he wasn’t.
“So, you never cheat on your own brand?” I wink at him to let him know I won’t tell.
“I wouldn't go that far.” He holds his hands out as if to push away the accusation. “But I primarily drink our wine. I think it's because I know the work that we put into it, and the flavors my family has created over the years.” He shrugs. “Not many places can compare to it.”
The skin on the back of my neck turns to gooseflesh. As odd as it sounds, it feels like we're being watched. I glanced over my shoulder to see eyes turn away as if they've been caught.
I lean over the table, closer to Parker. “I have a question, and feel free to tell me I'm out of line. But why is everybody staring at us like we're the main attraction in a circus?” My voice is low so we aren't overheard.
“Because I never bring a girl to these restaurants. They know I'm a serial dater. But that wouldn't stop them from talking crap behind my back, which is sad. So, I take my dates to other cities or meet them somewhere else, because I don't feel like subjecting them to that.”
That actually makes sense.
“So does that mean they're going to talk crap about me as soon as we leave here?”
“No.” He shakes his head, and reaches for my hand. I let him take it. “I’m pretty sure this will start the whole Parker is dating someone, and it’s serious. It'll get back to my family and take root the way we need it to.”
“Do small towns really work that fast?” It feels like a reckless game of telephone. Or when gossip would spread around the high school. I would say the size of our school was about the same size of Asheville. Wow, that’s a wild comparison to make.
“You have no idea.”
The server stops by to take our order. The restaurant has gotten busy and they don’t stick around for idle chit chat.
“Should we talk about what’s okay and what isn’t?” We should get this out of the way before we get too far into dinner. I’d like to have actual conversation with him.
“Oh, wow, you don’t waste time.” He chuckles. “Mostly, I need to know what’s okay touching and kissing wise. I don’t want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. I mean, I know we’ve seen each other without clothes, but this is different.”
The memory of us tangled up in the sheets of his bed hits me like a freight train. It’s not a night I’ll soon forget. The fact he’s being so considerate about how we’ll operate is proof of how caring he truly is. His brothers and sister don’t give him enough credit.
“Okay.” I let out a breath. “Hand holding, arm around the waist, things like that are totally fine.”
“And kissing?” He winks at me.
Of course that’s what he brings up. Not that I’d mind feeling his lips caressing my body again.
“I think the quick pecks are fine, but if we’re really going to sell it, there will need to be lip on lip action…with tongue.”
Parker’s eyes widen and I know I’ve surprised him with the last addition. It may have been for purely selfish reasons. I want to be kissed by him again. If for no other reason than to make sure I remember that night accurately. To know I didn’t imagine the sparks between us.
“Th—that’s totally doable.” He shakes his head, still in disbelief. “Unexpected, but I can oblige. If it gets to be too much, please rein me in.”
“I think we both know I’ll put you in your place if you overstep.”
His grin lets me know he’s about to say something inappropriate, but I want to know the first thought that popped into his head.
“Is it bad that I’m kind of wondering how exactly that’ll go down? I think I need to put the threat to the test.”
“You’re impossible.” I roll my eyes and grab a chip out of the basket before dipping it into the salsa. “Now that all the business is out of the way. We can have a normal date.”
“What do you do for work? I never thought to task. I know you started a new job.”
“I work in accounting.” He opens his mouth to say something, and I hold up my hand, cutting him off. “Not that kind. There’s no way in hell anyone could get me to look at their taxes.”
“That’s not what I was going to ask.”
I’m about to question him, but my phone rings. I pull it out of my bag and glance at the screen.
“Sorry, it’s my mom. I should probably take this. If I don’t, she’ll keep calling until I answer.”
“Go ahead. I’ll be right here.”
I get up from the table and head outside to the sidewalk. There’s no telling what this conversation will entail, and I don’t want to be overheard.