29. Chapter 29
Chapter twenty-nine
Laiken
“We’re going to incorporate some light weights. Just some dumbbells to really start testing your strength. It’s been two weeks. I think you’re ready.” I pick up the dumbbell, still avoiding looking directly at Parker.
I know he’s looking at me because I can feel his eyes burning a hole in the side of my face.
The same as the last three days. I’ve been distant and he can feel it.
But my run-in with Rhodes has me off-kilter.
Especially knowing their history. I don’t want to lie to him, so I’ve just avoided him.
Kept the sessions professional and ran the second it was over.
“Whatever you think.” Parker stretches his neck before he walks over to the living room.
My mom’s living room because my house is still currently torn to shreds. And thanks to Parker leaking that private information to my brother, I got an earful last night during dinner, along with a lecture on being more open.
“Let’s start with lateral raises,” I direct, handing him the weight.
His fingers brush against mine and I ignore the tingle. The same one that ricochets through my nervous system every time we have any sort of contact.
He gets into position, his arm lifting. I keep my eyes trained on the angle of his arm.
The strain in his muscles. Things I should be noting as a hired professional.
I don’t focus on the way his T-shirt rides up to show that delicious muscle that disappears beneath his waistband.
A location I am familiar with. Or was. I’m sure he’s different now.
He’s not a teenage boy anymore. Which has my brow furrowing.
He says he wasn’t with Tori. But he’s a man.
A famous bull rider at that. There’s no way he’s been celibate for all these years.
A nauseating feeling coats my stomach at the thought of how many women are now familiar with that part of him.
“You okay?”
His voice pulls me from my momentary spiral. I clear my throat, then force a smile. “Fine.” I motion with my hand. “Two more, then we will try to push press.”
He studies me but never breaks his movements. “I can see your mind reeling, Laiken.”
“Well, I’m a single mom, work a full-time job, and my house is a money pit. I have about a million things to deal with. So yeah, I’m typically reeling.”
I hate that I’m being snappy, but I’m in a mood again. I swear being around him is like going through menopause. The mood swings are unpredictable and the hot flashes embarrassing.
He drops his dumbbell on the carpet, then shoves his hands in his pockets.
“Will you let me take you somewhere?”
His question catches me off guard. We’ve breached nothing personal since the weekend. “That depends.” I tilt my head.
“On what?”
“Is there food involved?” I ask.
“I do plan to feed you.”
Tingles dance on my skin. Why is that attractive?
“So you’re asking me on a date?” I question.
“Is that part of the ‘depends’ response?”
“Yes.” I lift my chin.
“Okay then.” He removes his hands and runs one through his dark hair. “Call it a field trip.”
“A field trip.” I lift a brow. “You taking me to the zoo?”
He laughs with a shrug. “If that’s what you want. I’d take you anywhere you wanted to go. Just say the word.”
That’s one of the things I’ve always loved about Parker. He was always looking for ways to make everyone around him happy. Regardless of his feelings.
“I want to go to the Elephant Sanctuary,” I blurt. Partially because it’s the first thing that pops into my head and the other portion is because that was one of our many plans.
But we never got to go.
Because we both made choices.
“Done. I’ll set it up.” He pulls out his phone.
Panic hits. Me and him. Alone.
“I don’t know. Sounds like a date.”
“It is. With an elephant.” He grins. “What’s your favorite? The trunk?”
My cheeks flame.
“I have no intention of handling anyone’s trunk,” I state with certainty.
“Shame,” he muses. “From what I remember, you handled mine pretty well.”
Are we even talking about animals anymore? My neck is hot.
“Saturday.” He tucks his phone back into his pocket. “Clear your calendar, Firefly. We got a field trip scheduled.”
Fantastic.
Now I have the rest of the week to completely overthink it.