15. Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Fifteen
Amy
“Ice skating sounds fun.” Nellie flashes me a bright smile as she leans against the office doorway. “Who are you going with?”
“Oh, it’s actually a singles event,” I answer. “But I’m going with my friend, Parker. He’s the one I told you works in tech. We’re kind of in the middle of a bet—which is a long story, but Parker thinks I can’t find a significant other in time for Valentine’s Day, and I’m convinced we both can. So, I’m basically trying to set us up.”
“Ah. Well, if you want some help trying to win the bet, I actually have a single girlfriend I could send along for him. She’s into all that technology stuff. She’s very charismatic, too. She can pretty much hit it off with just about everyone. I honestly don’t know how she’s even still single.”
I almost tell her no thanks but stop myself. There’s really no reason why I should decline. Parker made it clear that the kiss between us didn’t mean anything. He was just checking a box.
Which is why I haven’t told Eliza about it yet.
“Okay! Give her my number and we can meet up. I think it’ll make an impact if I bring someone along for him. It’ll blow his mind. And bring me one step closer to winning that bet.”
“Then consider it done.” She shoots me a wink and steps out of my office.
I stare at my phone once she leaves, trying to figure out why the idea of bringing a woman for Parker bothers me so much.
I don’t like him like that, and even if I did, he definitely doesn’t like me ... right?
My eyes drift to the door, and I get up and shut it before pulling out my phone to call Eliza. I need to get my head on straight, and she’s the only one who seems to be able to help me through it. However, before I can even call her, my mom’s name flashes across the screen.
“Hello?” I answer and head back to my desk chair. I turn to face the skyline, enjoying the view of downtown from my office window. The buildings are alight with the glow of the setting sun, casting a warm hue over everything.
“Hey, I know you’re at work ... I just wanted to call and tell you that we miss you. Your dad keeps looking at flights to New York. I think he’s getting borderline obsessive with watching the prices. He says the moment a good deal comes through, he’s buying tickets.”
“Oh boy.” I giggle. “Well, I miss you guys, too. I’ve just been super busy with work and making new friends.”
“Oh, that’s great, honey. You haven’t really told us much about your new friends. What are they like?”
“I guess that’s because I’m still trying to get to know them.”
“Well, your dad and I have been dying to hear more about your new fancy life up there.”
“It’s not all that fancy.”
“Well, tell me more about these new friends.”
“Right, sorry,” I mutter, checking the time on my computer. Work will be over in about ten minutes, and then I’ll be heading to the ice skating rink. “The one I know the best is Parker.”
“Parker,” she echoes. “Girl?”
“No.”
She pauses. “Guy?”
“Yeah...” I say slowly. “But it’s not what you think. We aren’t dating or anything like that. I mean, we did share a kiss on New Year’s, but it was just because, you know, I’d never been kissed, and he felt bad for ruining my date—”
“He ruined your date and then kissed you?”
“Well, it sounds horrible when you say it like that, but he’s not that bad. He’s just kinda ... grumpy sometimes.”
“Are you sure you’re just friends? ”
“Mom, if you knew him, you’d understand. He was just trying to make me feel better about not getting kissed.”
“Hmm. That seems a little suspect to me.”
“Don’t use that phrase.” I giggle. “That’s so weird.”
“What? Why? I heard it used on a TV show your dad and I watched. I thought it was hilarious—and catchy. You know, suspect.”
“Okay, seriously. He’s not a suspect.” I burst into a fit of laughter. “Please stop.”
“You know I love you, Amy. And I want you to be happy—and I want you to find love, but can you promise me something?”
I pause, noting the serious tone in her voice. “What’s that?”
“You’ve always been a hopeless romantic, and I love that about you. But promise me you won’t ever get so caught up in searching for the big, grand gestures that you miss the little things. Sometimes, love doesn’t come in big ways on a white horse. It’s not always someone taking your breath away the moment you meet them. Sometimes, love is in the small, everyday things. Sometimes the little things are the most special.”
I smile. “Okay, Mom. I promise. But I probably should go. I’m going to a singles ice-skating event tonight.”
“Oh ... another one of those?”
“Yeah, but I’m going with a group of friends,” I say quickly, knowing she’s not the biggest fan of singles events. She watches way too many crime documentaries.
“Well, have fun, and please be safe. ”
“I will. Love you.”
We hang up, and I let out a sigh.
Don’t overlook the little things. Got it.
I step out of the elevator and into the lobby of my apartment building, searching for Parker. He sent me a text letting me know he’d be waiting for me down here since he has someone with him, which I’m assuming is Weston.
But the moment my eyes land on him, I stop...
Who’s that?
I take in the sight of a blonde woman standing beside him. She’s got to be nearly six foot, and she’s not even wearing heels. Her hair is braided to the side beneath her beanie, and when she turns around to face me, I realize she’s ... gorgeous .
He has a date...
“Hey.” Parker gives me a wave, and I break my eyes away from the woman beside him. My stomach suddenly feels like it’s in my chest.
“Hi,” I say, forcing a smile and heading over to them. I suddenly feel very short in their presence, but I try to ignore it.
Parker eyes me and then gestures to the woman beside him. “This is Brittany...” He pauses. “My sister . ”
My brows shoot up—and my stomach settles back into its rightful place. Which is a bit silly, considering I don’t have feelings for Parker.
And I definitely wasn’t jealous...
“It’s super nice to meet you, Brittany.” I extend my hand. “I’m Amy.”
“Nice to meet you, Amy,” Brittany greets me. And then I see it. She has his nose, eyes, and lips. “I’ve heard a lot about you. Well, that’s kind of a lie. I really haven’t, but Parker acted super nervous on the way over here, and now I know why. You’re totally beautiful.”
I blush. “Thank you. You’re gorgeous.”
“Okay, don’t make this weird.” Parker huffs, rolling onto his heels. “Amy and I are just friends. I told you about our bet.” He gives his sister a pointed look.
“Yeah, but look at her .” Brittany motions to me. “She’s freaking cute. Why are you not dating her? You guys would seriously make the cutest kids.”
“Remember that conversation we had about thinking before you speak?” Parker snaps at her.
She bursts into laughter. “Oh, come on. Lighten up. It’s all in good fun.”
“I’m sorry in advance.” Parker gives me a weary look. “There’s nothing I can do about the comments she makes.”
I giggle. “It’s all in good fun.”
“Ooh ... Now I really like her!” Brittany grabs my arm and tugs me toward the door. Parker lets out a groan, following behind us .
“Oh, by the way,” I call over my shoulder. “I got you a date for tonight. Well, sort of. A friend of my coworker is coming, and we’re going to meet up with her.”
“Great,” Parker shoots back at me. “Just what I need.”
I can’t tell if he’s serious or not, but Brittany quickly takes over the conversation, asking me about my family—and then telling me all about her recent breakup and how she’s living with Parker now.
She brings out a different side to Parker—it’s obvious that he takes care of the people that he loves...
He’s a good person.
When we make it to the rink, Brittany and I hunt down skates while Parker gets stuck on a phone call.
“He’s not as cold as he comes across, you know,” Brittany says as I grab a pair of women’s size sevens. “What happened with our parents scarred him for life, but I think when he meets the right girl, he’ll change.”
“You think?” I glance back at him, now talking to a redheaded woman. I overhear her introduce herself as Louise. My stomach knots up, but I ignore it. For all I know, I might be setting Parker up with the woman who will change it all for him.
“You’re the only girl he’s ever introduced me to,” Brittany adds, catching my attention. “Other than, like, his friends’ girlfriends.”
“Really?” That catches me by surprise. “I figured he’s had lots of girlfriends—or even just friends that are girls.”
She shakes her head. “No, not really. Like I said, he’s built up this massive wall around himself, and he refuses to give his heart to anyone. He had a girlfriend in college, but she left him because he just wouldn’t open up.”
I watch as Louise flips her hair over her shoulder and Parker smiles. “Well, maybe she’ll change it for him.”
Brittany whips her head around to look and then laughs. “No way. Parker is just being nice because he doesn’t want to hurt her feelings. He’ll let her down easy—that’s how he does things.”
I raise a brow. “He definitely did not do that with me. I think he hated me from the moment he saw me.”
She snorts. “Right. Which is why he continues to hang out with you. That makes no sense. But anyway, let’s find some cuties to ice skate with.”
I nod, thankful for a subject change. “Absolutely.”
She threads her arm through mine, and we head toward Parker and Louise. “Here’s your skates, bro.” Brittany holds them out and Parker takes them from her. “Enjoy. We’re going to go find some hotties to keep us warm.”
Louise laughs. “That sounds like my kind of time.”
I smile at her. “I’m Amy.” I force myself to be friendlier than I feel.
“Oh right, you’re the one who texted me all the info. Nice to meet you! Nellie said you’re so much fun to be around. I was planning to text you as soon as I got here, but I saw this guy—and I thought, why not? And you know what’s crazy? He’s the reason I came all along!”
“Yeah,” I say, meeting Parker’s gaze, which is trained on me. “Have a nice time. ”
“You, too.” Louise beams, looking up at Parker. “I hope you’re good at skating because I’m awful.”
I don’t hang around to hear his answer, using Brittany as a scapegoat. She’s already tugging on her skates and I do the same, following her out onto the ice.
But the moment my foot hits the slippery surface, I know this is going to be a long night.
“Easy.” Brittany offers me a hand as we step out. “You just have to breathe. Have you ever ice skated before?”
“Yeah, it’s just been a while.” I give her a sheepish smile and follow her lead, taking off slowly.
And within ten minutes of skating, Brittany is already chatting it up with some blond guy. It’s not surprising, but once again, I’m the odd one out, waiting for Mr. Right to show up.
I sigh, taking in the way the lights glimmer on the ice. Music fills the air, and some people are skating while holding hot chocolate...
Yeah, that’s a solid no-go for me.
There’s no way I could make that happen and not burn myself.
“Hey,” a voice says from beside me. “You look like you could use a hand.”
I turn to look up into a pair of soft brown eyes. “I’m doing okay right now, but we’ll see.”
“It was a terrible pickup line, wasn’t it?” He laughs. “I’m Brendon.”
“Amy.” I take in his nice navy peacoat. He’s handsome, with an olive complexion that’s to die for. And he looks around my age .
“How’s your night going?”
“Um...” I hesitate. “It’s fine, I suppose. It’s a little cold, though.”
“Welcome to New York,” he jokes, flashing me a smile. “But really, it is cold tonight. You want some hot chocolate? It might warm you up while you skate.”
I look up at him, ignoring the worry in my chest. “Sure.”