Chapter 30 Evelyn
Evelyn
Excitement rolled off of me in waves as I watched Parker’s car roll into the driveway.
Waking up in his arms this morning locked something into place for me. I didn’t want to hesitate when it came to him anymore. Parker was kidding about my sleep talking, but he might as well have been telling the truth. I wanted him in a way that I hadn’t craved a man before.
Once I unplugged from work, I found myself in the kitchen preparing lunch for us, making a few BLTs, some grapes, and something called cowboy caviar that I had seen on TikTok.
The turquoise triangle bikini top, paired with the matching bottoms I found in one of the drawers, glowed against my brown skin.
Throwing on a pair of shorts, I grabbed the food and our towels, heading out the door.
Parker and I were taking things slowly. We were enjoying each other’s company.
Parker was one of the kindest people I had ever met.
Underneath his playful exterior was someone who cared deeply for his family and friends.
I found myself falling for him after a few weeks of spending time together.
It was hard not to. There were times that I felt guilty for finding this happiness, especially at a time when my life was filled with such uncertainty.
My support system never hesitated to remind me that I deserved peace and love in my life, too.
Parker needed to know that I was all in. He had been patient with me, waiting for me to sort my feelings when he had already stated his so clearly.
He was standing outside his blacked-out Lexus, waiting for me with the passenger door open when I made it to the front of the house. As soon as I was close enough, Parker swept me off my feet and planted a kiss on my lips while swinging me around.
I shrieked in the process before melting into him. I would never get tired of kissing Parker. Each time, it made my blood run hot.
He put me down once he had his fill, and we hopped in the car.
I connected my phone to Bluetooth, and Halfcrazy by Musiq Soulchild began to seep out of the speakers.
One of the things I liked about Parker was that we were able to sit in companionable silence.
I sang the lyrics to myself as I tapped my fingers against my thigh.
Parker was tapping his fingers lightly on the steering wheel.
The space between his eyebrows was pulled tight, and a small frown tugged at his face.
He was quiet for a reason.
“What’s the matter?” I gently probed as I reached my arm over to caress the back of his neck.
He doesn’t respond right away, the song ends, and Amy Winehouse starts to croon out the lyrics of Halftime. I let him be. Whatever was bothering him, he would tell me on his own time. I wouldn't force him to.
“Danny called today, and there's still no update,” he said slowly.
My mouth opens to respond, then shuts. Both of us were growing increasingly worried after our last phone call with Danny.
Charles wouldn’t hesitate to hurt Danny or any of us truly.
He had already tried to scare Danny away, but he was determined to build this case and expose the justice system’s corruption.
Parker’s gaze flickers over to me, trying to gauge my reaction.
I looked out the window and took in the beautiful weather. The sun was shining, a nice breeze was in the air, giving us a brief reprieve from Georgia’s humidity, and I could see the glittering reflection of white sand as we neared Revina beach.
I am safe and calm. I am safe and calm. I am safe and calm.
I repeated the mantra until the alarm bells stopped ringing in my body.
Parker didn’t rush me. He let me breathe.
“One day at a time,” I muttered. So far, I haven't lost every ounce of hope. No news didn’t mean that all was lost, despite knowing that it didn’t stop the fear that took root in my chest.
He stared into my eyes, assessing me in that way I had become used to. I knew if I showed any other sign of distress, Parker would make it his mission to relieve it.
I wouldn’t be safe until Charles was caught and in prison. But for right now, I was looking into the eyes of a man that I think I could love.
We turned and got out of the car. A fake smile plastered on my face. I wouldn't let Charles dictate my happiness anymore. He didn’t get to steal another day of my life.
Since Parker refused to let me help him, I just carried the towels as he hefted the beach chairs and coolers down the boardwalk to the beach.
The only beach I had ever been to was Orchard Beach, also known as Cho-cha Beach.
It was tolerable on a good day. The water wasn’t clear blue.
Instead, it was murky, tinged with browns, greens, and blues.
The boardwalk was always lively with music and dancing.
You could even smell the food from the parking lot.
It was our beach, but I always knew there were better out there.
Once we found a spot and set our things down, we dug into the food. Parker held no complaints as he had seconds and thirds of everything.
Finishing up, we cleared the food away and decided to take a walk to digest before heading to the water.
I held my hand out to Parker, and he took it.
A hum of satisfaction slipped through. His hands were large and calloused.
Whenever his hand enveloped mine, I felt protected.
Holding hands with Parker had easily become one of my favorite things to do.
This type of effortless act of intimacy was special to me.
Just a light squeeze could quell my hammering heart and smooth away the anxiety.
“How are things going at the office? Did you finish that big project you told me about?”
His body went tense, before relaxing on an exhale. His thumb began to gently stroke the outside of my hand as he spoke.
“Yes, thankfully. We wrapped up everything today. They should be signing the agreement as we speak. This new acquisition will earn Gentry a shit ton of money for generations to come.”
“Whoa. Your dad must be popping bottles right now.”
His laughter boomed across the nearly empty beach. Once he composed himself, he draped his arm over my shoulders and pulled me in close to his side as we continued walking.
“Popping bottles? Nah. But I can imagine he’s probably lighting up a cigar.” He paused. “I don’t know how much longer I can keep working at Gentry.”
His tone threw me for a loop. I stopped walking and turned him to face me.
“You can talk to me.”
I thought we left the heavy conversation back in the car, but Parker’s pinched brow told me otherwise.
“When we first arrived here, I thought, despite our differences, my dad was an upstanding man because he put our issues aside to make sure you were safe. But today I realized that I don’t know him anymore, I put my trust in him, and my gut is starting to say—maybe I was wrong to.
I thought there was a chance that we might repair what was broken, but I don’t think we can.
The more he reveals his true self, the more I want to get away from here. ”
There was pain in his voice. Whatever happened today tipped him over the edge. It sounded like everything was coming to a head. A conversation with his father was long overdue; it would either settle the dust or fan the flames.
I brought his face down to mine and pressed my lips against his. The kiss was unhurried, his arms wrapped around my waist, grounding us where we stood. When we broke away, I could tell that some of the tension had left his body.
“If you want to leave here, I’m with you. Whatever you want to do, I trust you. I know being here has been hard on you. I don’t want to be the reason for your suffering here. He’s going to come no matter where we are.”
He didn’t speak. He just stared into my eyes.
I could see the wheels turning in his mind, digesting my words, trying to find a way to challenge me.
Parker probably wouldn’t admit it, but he was just as stubborn and hesitant to ask for help as I was.
Neither of us was used to depending on another person for anything.
Parker leaned in and kissed my forehead, pushing an errant curl behind my ear.
“Thank you. But you don’t have to worry about that. I’m going to make sure we’re good.”
“You know you don’t have to thank me,” I dropped my voice low and did my best impression of him.
He threw his head back and laughed.
“What am I going to do with you?” he said, reaching for me again.
I dodged his hold and turned towards the beach.
“Catch me first, and then you can decide,” I shouted over my shoulder as I ran towards the ocean.
I was a foot away from the water when strong arms wrapped around my middle, lifting and spinning me as he carried me into the water.
The water was crisp, and a chill worked its way up my body as I hooked my legs around Parker’s waist.
“I caught you, and I think I’ll keep you.”
My heart swelled with emotion. “I’d like that.”
Parker leaned his forehead against mine, breathing me in. The water was almost calm, and small waves brushed up against our bodies.
“Want to play a game?” he whispered, his lips hovering over mine.
“Don’t even think about it,” I warned, knowing full well he was about to toss me in the water.
He nipped at my lip before throwing me in the ocean with a boisterous laugh.
We swam for a while before returning to our blanket on the sand.
This felt like the perfect day, almost like we were a regular couple that planned a beach day just because.
I couldn’t see Nate and William, but I knew they were close by.
The sun was setting, and soon we’d return to the estate and our almost perfect day would be over.
So I held on to Parker a little tighter, committing everything to memory, knowing the peace was only temporary.