“Do you remember me telling you about the group of college girls that started coming into the bar about a year ago? I accidentally served the one before I realized she had a fake ID?” His dad nodded at him.
“Astrid was part of that group. She only came in a few times with them but she was always really… sweet, you know. She always thanked whoever served them, tipped well, just this side of flirty.”
He couldn’t help the smile that was slowly working its way onto his face. He always smiled when he thought of her.
“Anyway, she came in last week asking for an Aunt Roberta.”
With a snort, his dad shook his head.
“I know. Of course, I told her I couldn’t serve absinthe. She managed to get pretty hammered anyway. I let her sleep it off in the apartment.” Parker grimaced when his dad raised his eyebrows at him.
“It gets worse,” he added, describing how the last week had progressed.
His dad held up his notepad.“Define ‘sleep with.’”Quickly scribbling again with his good hand, he held up the notepad again.
“Yes, I know what sex is.” Parker laughed when his dad held up his one arm in mock surprise. He explained what had happened last night, leaving out his escapade from this morning.
“Wow!”His dad wrote before he held up his notepad. He quickly scribbled something in it again before holding it up a second time.
“Just writing wow bigger does not solve my problem.” Parker laughed. Pointing to his head, the older man leaned back into the chair to think.
“Why do you think she is out of your league?”he wrote after a few minutes.
“She goes to one of those fancy private colleges in the city. She’s too smart, too generous, and too fucking gorgeous for someone like me.”
“So? You’re smart, generous, and good-looking. Why isn’t that good enough?”His dad shook his head.
“Thanks, Pop. But you can be honest. We both know I’m not smart and look at me, I look like a thug. She can do so much better.”
His dad grunted, waving a hand at him in a dismissive gesture. Parker picked up the paper, turning back to the sports page. He knew what he was, he didn’t need his dad plying him with false platitudes.
Sports was a much safer subject. They discussed how the football season was going to look this fall. The scowl on his dad’s face never left, however.
ChapterSix
Astrid blew out a breath.Working inside the library during the summer was similar to working in a catacomb. Not many students stayed for the summer sessions so it was eerily quiet. The best thing about it was the air conditioning.
Standing, she pulled out her earbuds and stretched her back. She still had about half an hour before class so she might as well stay here. There was one person that could help her pass the time, however. Pulling up her message app on her phone, she typed out a quick message to Parker.
She was having a tough time figuring Parker out. One minute he was all hot steamy come-on, the next he acted like she had the plague. Given even an ounce of encouragement, she would be all over him. She wondered if she would prefer the fun, flirty night Parker or the grouchy, snide morning Parker better. Did it matter in the end? Just one look at that perfect ass last night had her wanting both.
Astrid: How was your day? Did you see your dad?
Parker: It was good. He walked to the dining room with his walker today, which was pretty exciting. How was your day?
Astrid: That’s amazing! It was long. Working on a paper in the library is not nearly as exciting as working at the bar.
Parker: Doubt you get your ass fondled in the library though. I could run over and cop a feel if it would help. Please?
Astrid: If I can keep my hands to myself watching you slide on your sleep pants, I think you can hold off on grabbing my ass.
Parker: I’m sorry, I didn’t even think about that. I’m used to living in an apartment full of men. But on a scale of 1 to 10, how was it?
Astrid: I’m not sure, I might need another look. For research purposes of course.
Parker: Absolutely, for science and all.
Astrid: As much as I would like another private viewing, I need to get to class.
