Chapter 19
Nineteen
Parker
The past few days waking up in bed alone have been brutal. I never thought I’d miss having someone in my bed every night. Granted Jasmin’s only been in my bed twice, I’ve woken up to her once. It was perfection.
Her hair splayed out across the pillow and the covers tucked tightly around her. It’s an image I replay in my head every morning.
“Earth to Parker.” Piper snaps her fingers in front of my face. “You need to come back from dream land. We have two interviews today.”
“Are these new people or the second round on those we liked?” I can’t remember. After the baby shower event ended, I’ve been keeping my eye on our social media and review sites to see if Nicole is going to give us a horrible one.
“The ones we liked. Isela will be here first. After her is Colbie.”
“Her name reminds me of cheese.” I snort. Childish? Maybe, but I can’t help where my brain goes.
“Please don’t say that in front of her. We want her to work here.” Piper shakes her head and glances down at her tablet. “I’ll take notes during the meetings. Then we can make a final decision.”
“Why not hire both of them if we like them? We need all the extra help we can get. You shouldn’t be running yourself ragged making sure everything is flowing, and taking on all the shifts yourself.”
It would also help if our brothers worked behind the counter sometimes. But they refuse to help in that aspect. Well, except Peter. He comes to help if we really need him.
“That’s actually a good idea. We have the budget for it, and at this point I don’t really care what Pierce says. Maybe if he saw everything we do up here, he’d realize just how much work goes into it.”
At least I’m not the only one who sees it.
Even though he acted like an ass when I introduced him to Jasmin, I’m going to do my best to understand where he’s coming from.
Though for me, it feels like the wrong side of the bed every single day.
He needs something to make him happy. Maybe a hobby?
I don’t know. I just don’t want to be the one to suggest it.
“Hopefully they work out. It’d be nice to have help with events. Especially when there are nightmare clients like the last one.”
Piper smacks my arm and I wince. What the hell? “I completely forgot to tell you. The mom to be from the shower sent me an email. She said she loved the baby shower and wanted to say thank you for the amazing service. She also apologized for her friend’s behavior.”
“Maybe once she has the baby she’ll realize she doesn’t need a selfish friend like that. Aren’t milestones the moments people realize they’ve outgrown relationships?”
She taps a finger against her chin. “Actually, I don’t know. Y’all are my best friends and I can’t exactly push you away.”
“You need more friends.” I laugh.
“Says the one who until recently only spent their free time with a variety of women.”
“Don’t shame me.” I shake my head and stand up. “I didn’t lie to any of them and promise them forever. They knew what the situation was.”
“Until Jasmin.” She grins at me before standing to follow me into the conference room to prep for the interviews.
“Yeah.” I do my best to keep my voice upbeat, but it sucks lying to her. In one short month there won’t be Jasmin. Her sister’s wedding will be done and she won’t need me as a stand in.
I push all thoughts of that aside. I’ll deal with it when the time comes. Right now, I’ll enjoy the moment. Especially since I get to see her tonight after over a week because of her busy schedule with wedding things. All that matters is living in the moment. The heartbreak can wait.
There’s only one car in the driveway when I pull up to Jasmin’s house. Where is everyone? I assumed I’d have to greet the entire family as soon as I got here to pick up Jasmin. It’s been that way the past few times I’ve come up to take her to dinner. We’ll get to leave at a decent time at least.
I turn off my truck and head to the door. It opens before I even have a chance to knock. Jasmin is standing there in a short black dress and heels that make her legs go on for days.
“Hey.” I wave and she rushes into my arms. “It’s good to see you, too.”
“Sorry, it’s been a long week between work and all the wedding stuff.” She lets go and closes the door behind her.
“Where are your parents?” I don’t bother asking about Adam. If he’s not home, he’s usually hanging out with a friend. Jasmin has told me about how much their mom hates it since she never sees him anymore.
“Mom was going shopping for a dress for the wedding.” She shrugs her shoulders as I take her hand to lead her to the truck. “She forced Dad to go with her. Though I’m sure he’s sitting in the car watching a game. Then they are going to dinner.”
“It must be nice for them to have a night out for themselves.” I know my parents loved it when they could have date nights without worrying about us. Now they are rarely home. Always off seeing the world however they can.
“I don’t think my mom knows what to do with herself. She’s so used to us being home at the same time. Now, we’re all over the place. I’m not even sure the last time she and my dad had quality alone time.”
“I’m sure it’ll take some time to adjust. My parents are always traveling now that they’re retired.”
She sighs and shakes her head. “I don’t even know if my parents have retirement. But I do hope they take trips when they can. They deserve it.”
“I know my parents definitely did after all six of us. We may have been bad at times.”
Jasmin smacks my chest. “You? Bad? I don’t believe it.”
I’ve told her a few stories from my youth. She knows better than to believe I’m an angel. I open the truck door for her and help her get in. Once she’s in, I rush to the other side and slide onto the seat. “What do you want for dinner?”
“You don’t already have it picked out? I’m shocked.”
“Well, I have a few options for you to choose from. What are you in the mood for? Mexican, Italian, or Brazilian?”
She tucks her fist under her chin as if she’s thinking really hard. “I could go for Brazilian.”
“Perfect. I’m glad that’s the one I made the reservation for.”
“Oh, so we’re going fancy tonight. I like it.”
“Yep.” I start the truck and head to the restaurant. It’s a good thirty minutes away, but totally worth it.
Jasmin’s eyes widen as I pull up to valet. Yes, I could park and walk, but tonight, it’s all about her.
One attendant helps her out of the truck while I pass the keys off to the other. I round the back of the truck and join her, placing her hand in the crook of my elbow.
“Parker.” Her voice is barely above a whisper. “This is too much for a weeknight date. Too much for us having a date period. I can’t let you spend this kind of money.”
I open the door and lead the way to the host stand. I give them our information and it’s not long before someone is showing us to a table in the back. I really like the ambiance of this place. It’s cozy and the perfect place to take someone you care about.
“Tonight is all about you, Jasmin. You’ve spent so much time taking care of everyone else.
Making sure everything with your sister’s wedding will go off without a hitch.
You even spent time with a group of girls you don’t particularly like.
Has anyone stopped to make sure you have some time to yourself? ”
She thinks that over and glances at the wine menu. “Actually, no. I’ve been wondering why I’m sleeping so horribly.”
“It’s okay to take a break.” I reach for her hand across the table. “Nothing is going to fall apart while you rest.”
“Deep down I know that. But it’s hard to remember when there’s a list of things to do a mile long.” The server comes to take our drink order and we give him our wine selections. “Besides have you used this same line of reasoning with Pierce? He probably needs to decompress sometimes, too.”
It takes everything in me not to roll my eyes. Pierce is on a whole different level. “I’m trying. Though it’s been pretty hard after the way he interacted with you at the winery. He was a jerk.”
“Maybe he was having a bad day.” She shrugs her shoulders. “I know I get like that sometimes.”
“Unless he has a bad day every day, it’s not much of an excuse. But I have been less of a smart ass to him.”
“Good. That’s progress.” She pats my hand as if I’m a child.
The server comes back with our drinks and lets us know we can head to the salad bar. There will be additional servers coming around with meat selections.
“So how did dress shopping go? Can I see yours?” I’ll do anything to change the subject at this point. I also need something to talk to her about while we get our salad.
“Nope. I want you to see me in my dress at the wedding. I know you won’t technically be in attendance as a guest during the ceremony, but I can’t wait to see your expression.”
That almost seems unfair. I’ve never been more excited for a wedding, though.
“Are there any other events I need to attend? I need to make sure I have them in the calendar. We hired two people today so they’ll be able to fill in where needed.”
The grin that takes over her face is worth everything, and I never want to see it fall.
“Really? Would you be able to go to the rehearsal dinner? I’d really love to not be sitting alone for it. The actual wedding day will be busy, but knowing you’ll be there for the dinner and the reception means so much.”
“I’ll do my best. We’ll need to finish setting up a few things, but I promise I’ll try.”
We carry our salad plates back to our table and she sets her hand on my leg, giving it a small squeeze. “Thank you.”
“Anything for you.” I lift my hand and run my thumb over her jaw. “Even if this is only pretend for a little while longer, I’ll be there to help you however you need. I’d like to think out of all this we at least have friendship.”
“Yeah.”
Something passes over her face. Sadness? Fear? I’m not sure. Spending time with her has made it easier to read her mood, but she’s hiding something right now. Maybe it’s the same thing I’m hiding. That I don’t want this to end.