Chapter 7
DELANEY
“What is it?”
Holy shitballs. “Nothing.”
“I know you better than that,” Pia said, putting chips into a bowl. “Something is definitely up.”
It was him. VitalFlow guy was Parker. Mason’s Parker.
“Nothing,” I repeated, unloading my own bag.
We were in the kitchen, getting ready for the others. Pia, unfortunately, was watching me, knowing I’d lied through my teeth. I couldn’t tell her, confidentiality and all. But she knew something was up.
So I said the next best thing that also happened to be true.
“Parker is cute.”
“Duh. I told you that already. Probably the next cutest of the four of them, besides Mason. Actually, Cole’s pretty hot, in a Clark Kent-ish kinda way. And Beck is… Beck.”
I got what she was saying. If you didn’t know Beck, he was probably the most classically good-looking of them all, excluding Cole who I’d never met.
But the fact that Beck dated every woman in Cedar Falls, plus most of the pretty tourists that came through in his preferred age range, dulled the whole hot-factor thing.
“He looks a little like a cowboy. Not that I’ve ever met a cowboy, but that’s what I’d imagine one looks like. Strong jaw. Very rugged looking, you know?”
If I was talking fast, it was to convince Pia that was all there was to it. A cute guy sighting. Nothing more, or less.
I peeked at her just as Pia poured two wines. She was anything but convinced.
“It’s the boots,” she said. “You’re acting weird.”
“Maybe it’s just because I haven’t seen a guy that attractive in a while. So soon after Makis and all.”
The last thing I wanted to talk about was Makis. Even now, saying his name gave me a huge pit in my stomach and reminded me that it had been, what? Like two hours since I last thought of him? When would this guy freaking leave my brain?
“Uh huh.”
“What?” I deflected.
Pia leaned against the kitchen counter, sipping her wine. “It’s funny, isn’t it? That you guys never met before.”
Double damn. I really didn’t want to lie to Pia, but I also wasn’t a fan of breaking the law either. “Fine,” I said, about to smack myself. I didn’t have to say what he’d come in for. “We did meet already. He came in for a prescription the other day.”
Not surprisingly, Pia was immediately suspicious. “And you didn’t tell me, because?”
Excellent question. “HIPPA and privacy and all that.”
“Right. But I didn’t ask what he came in for. You could have mentioned you guys met. I’m surprised he didn’t say anything to Mason either. That I know of.”
I nearly spit out my wine. “I don’t think we introduced ourselves so he probably didn’t know who I was.” Also, there was very little chance he’d broadcast what he came in for.
“So let’s hear it.”
Sighing, I said honestly, “I panicked when I saw him, not wanting to share too much. That’s all.”
“It’s not like he came in for some life-sustaining drug and you…” Pia stopped. Her eyes widened. “Did he… Is Parker…”
“No,” I assured her. “It’s nothing like that.”
The fact that I was able to remain straight-faced at the thought of telling Pia what he’d actually come in for made me wonder if maybe I could be an actress. It wasn’t a career I’d ever considered before, but maybe a viable career path? Since my day job wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.
“So you met Parker, didn’t tell me, and think he’s cute. Did I miss anything?”
“Nope,” I said, too quickly. “Nothing at all.”
Pia put down her wine and continued getting snacks ready, stirring a bowl of what looked like dip. “He also happens to be extremely nice, adventurous, charming… and single.”
“That’s where I have to stop you,” I said, sincere. “When I say I’m not interested in dating anytime soon, I’m not interested. For real.”
“Who said anything about dating?”
“Pia,” I admonished. “Are you suggesting I sleep with Mason’s friend just for the sake of?—”
“Having some good sex to clear your mind of that giant asshole? Sure am.”
“You just said yourself, he’s a nice guy. Doesn’t seem to be the Beck-type at all, if you know what I mean.”
“I know exactly what you mean, but that doesn’t preclude him from having sex with women he doesn’t intend to marry.”
“Bachelor pact and all?”
“Exactly. We were just talking about that the other day. Parker… has his reasons to be single too.”
I was about to ask what those reasons were until I remembered the feeling of utter and complete emptiness, of rejection and humiliation, when Makis broke up with me for the second time. And that was after I’d told myself, the first time, I’d never let it happen again.
So I didn’t ask. Didn’t care.
“Good reasons, I bet. The guy’s got it right. Dating sucks. Zero stars. Do not recommend.”
“Oh, stop, you don’t mean that.”
“I swear on…” Thinking about that for a second, I said, “I swear on a tuna sandwich I mean it, 100 percent.”
“Who swears on a tuna sandwich?”
“I do. With little bits of celery, on toast, to be specific.”
“How in the world you don’t like fish but you do like canned tuna is one of life’s big mysteries for me.”
Laughing, I grabbed the veggie tray as Pia spooned dip into a small bowl. “What else can I bring out there?”
“If I didn’t know you better, I’d think you were changing the subject.”
“The chip bowl? Got it.”
Ignoring Pia’s frown, I carried both out of the kitchen, congratulating myself on successfully changing the subject.
Parker’s secret was safe with me.