Chapter Twenty-Six
Audrey
“N ow that you’re relaxed, how about that cocoa?” Parker asks as he kisses the tip of my nose.
I can’t believe he just did that—that I let him do that—only steps away from our friends and a few hundred strangers.
“You don’t have to look so smug,” I say as I turn and reach for the Styrofoam cup in the tray behind him. But before I can grasp it, he wraps his arms around me, grabs my ass with both hands and pulls me close.
“You don’t have to look so satisfied,” he growls.
Sucking my bottom lip between his teeth, he nips it lightly before covering my mouth with his, and I sink on top of him.
I should stop this. This wasn’t the plan. The plan was one night only. Let him get me off, thank him politely, and walk away, leaving him hard and wanting.
A throat clears, and I pull my lips from his to see Amiya grinning at us.
“This is a PG event,” she says, and I glance around to see we’ve caught all their interest.
Yikes .
Parker squeezes my bottom, and I look back down at him. He doesn’t look the least bit bothered by the attention. I roll off of him and scoot toward Amiya.
She nudges me in the side with her elbow. “Looks like I missed a few recent developments.”
I smile to myself as my eyes meet Chelcie’s envious stare, and she quickly looks away.
“I think I might be in trouble,” I whisper to Amiya.
“Congratulations. Trouble is the best kind of development,” she quips.
The boys leave to help Sebby and Donnie Dale clean up, taking Leia with them, and thankfully, Anson’s guests excuse themselves.
“Okay, spill,” Avie says once we girls are alone. “What’s going on between you and Parker?”
“There’s nothing to tell. We’re just friends.”
Amiya barks out a laugh. “Do you think you’re invisible? You two were clawing at each other five feet from us,” she cries.
I sigh. “We might have spent one night together to get it out of our system, but we’re not in a relationship. It was a one-and-done thing, just like you’d all suggested the other night in the hot tub,” I explain.
“It might have begun that way, but it didn’t look anywhere near done ten minutes ago,” Avie says.
I blow out a breath. “I don’t think Parker quite grasps the concept.”
“Been there,” Amiya states.
I glance at her and raise a brow in question.
“Lennon and I initially became temporary friends with benefits. I was Avie’s maid of honor, and Lennon was Sebastian’s best man; during the weeks leading up to the wedding, when we were both in town, we defiled every inch of their beach cabana.”
“My cottage’s couch and kitchen island too,” Avie mutters.
“My point is, sometimes, temporary leads to more,” Amiya explains.
I shake my head. “I don’t want more.”
“You sure about that?” she asks.
Am I?
If someone had asked me five weeks ago, I would have said absolutely.
“I can see you’re on the fence. You obviously need more time to figure it out,” Avie says.
“You should come to his party next weekend,” Amiya declares.
“Party?”
“Didn’t he tell you? It’s his birthday, and we’re having a bonfire and oyster roast on the beach. He was supposed to ask for Sunday off,” Amiya says.
“He did ask for the day off, but he didn’t mention a party.”
“He probably didn’t want to make a huge deal out of his birthday, but as I told you, this one,” Avie says, gesturing to Amiya, “she’ll find any reason to play hostess.”
“It’s a big one. You have to celebrate it,” Amiya insists.
Avie rolls her eyes. “He’s turning twenty-nine.”
“Exactly. He only has one year left in his twenties,” Amiya presses. “You’ll come, right? Can the bar be without you both?”
“I guess. Leonard and Leena can handle a Sunday night,” I say.
“Yes!”
Eden waddles over to us after her seventh bathroom trip. “Ugh, I swear this baby is playing soccer with my bladder,” she says as she carefully takes a seat. “What did I miss?”
“Not much. We questioned Audrey about her relationship with Parker, and all we got was a lie about being just friends ,” Amiya fills her in.
“Why would you lie? Parker is a sweetheart,” Eden asks.
“He’s an arrogant ass who seems to have snowed all of you,” I reply.
“Impossible to fool us,” Amiya says. “We can sniff out a jerk from miles away.”
Sebastian texts that they are on their way back, so we toss our trash and gather the blankets.
Eden groans and lays her hand on her belly as they approach.
“Is she kicking again?” Wade asks as he hurries to her side.
“Like a Rockette.”
“What does it feel like?” I ask her.
“Come here,” she says, reaching for my hand.
Hesitantly, I step closer, and she guides my hand to rest gently on her bump.
“Give it a minute.”
A few seconds pass, and all I feel is the steady rhythm of her breathing beneath my palm. Then, it happens—a teeny, unmistakable jolt. It’s so quick, like a little tap from inside, and I freeze, my heart skipping at the sensation.
“Oh, wow,” I gasp.
I glance up at Eden, and she’s smiling, her hand resting over mine. My eyes fill with tears as another kick—this one stronger—bumps against me.
“She’s feisty,” I say.
Wade wraps his arms around her from behind and rests his chin on her shoulder. “She’s a dancer, like her momma,” he says, his words filled with pride.
My chest tightens as I realize this is life —tiny and miraculous—pressing against my hand.
“Congratulations,” I say as I drop my hand.
“Thank you. We’re eager to meet her,” Eden says, looking up at her husband with admiration. He kisses her forehead, and the wave of emotions is almost overwhelming. I turn to walk away and notice Parker standing a few feet away, watching me. I quickly look away, trying to avoid his gaze.
Parker insists on walking me back to my apartment even though it’s literally steps from the wharf.
“I’m glad you came tonight,” he says as we approach my building.
I glance over at him and raise a brow.
He chuckles. “In that way too.”
“It got me out of Sunday dinner,” I tell him. “Although I’m sure I’ll pay for that in parental guilt later.”
“You guys still do that, huh?”
“Absolutely. The cousins don’t come as often as they used to, but my aunts and uncles do. Dinner is still served promptly at five thirty.”
“I always liked those. Your mother can cook.”
“Yes. A skill she did not pass down to me,” I agree.
“Not for lack of trying, if I remember correctly.”
I shake my head. “I was such a brat back then. I should have paid attention.”
“I’m sure she’d still be willing to teach you a thing or two.”
“How’s your mom and the girls?” she asks.
“The girls are good. They like school. And Mom has a new boyfriend—that’s still weird to say.”
Parker’s dad left when he was twelve, and his baby sisters, Rainey and Presley, were only two and three years old.
“I bet. I can’t imagine my mother dating,” I say. “Do you like him?”
He shrugs. “He makes her smile, and as long as he continues to do that, he’s okay in my book.”
When we make it to the steps that lead up to my door, he stops and turns to me. We stand in loaded silence. I know he wants to be invited inside, but he must read my apprehension because he steps in, cups my cheek, and presses a sweet kiss to my forehead.
“Good night, Audi.”
“Good night.”
He walks backward as he watches me ascend the stairs. I wave when I reach the door, and he turns and jogs back to the wharf.
I have to stop myself from calling him back.