“What?” I deflected.
Pia leaned against the kitchen counter, sipping her wine. “It’s funny, isn’t it? That you guys never met before.”
Double damn. I really didn’t want to lie to Pia, but I also wasn’t a fan of breaking the law either. “Fine,” I said, about to smack myself. I didn’t have to say what he’d come in for. “We did meet already. He came in for a prescription the other day.”
Not surprisingly, Pia was immediately suspicious. “And you didn’t tell me, because?”
Excellent question. “HIPPA and privacy and all that.”
“Right. But I didn’t ask what he came in for. You could have mentioned you guys met. I’m surprised he didn’t say anything to Mason either. That I know of.”
I nearly spit out my wine. “I don’t think we introduced ourselves so he probably didn’t know who I was.” Also, there was very little chance he’d broadcast what he came in for.
“So let’s hear it.”
Sighing, I said honestly, “I panicked when I saw him, not wanting to share too much. That’s all.”
“It’s not like he came in for some life-sustaining drug and you…” Pia stopped. Her eyes widened. “Did he… Is Parker…”
“No,” I assured her. “It’s nothing like that.”
The fact that I was able to remain straight-faced at the thought of telling Pia what he’d actually come in for made me wonder if maybe I could be an actress. It wasn’t a career I’d ever considered before, but maybe a viable career path? Since my day job wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.
“So you met Parker, didn’t tell me, and think he’s cute. Did I miss anything?”
“Nope,” I said, too quickly. “Nothing at all.”
Pia put down her wine and continued getting snacks ready, stirring a bowl of what looked like dip. “He also happens to be extremely nice, adventurous, charming… and single.”
“That’s where I have to stop you,” I said, sincere. “When I say I’m not interested in dating anytime soon, I’m not interested. For real.”
“Who said anything about dating?”
“Pia,” I admonished. “Are you suggesting I sleep with Mason’s friend just for the sake of?—”
“Having some good sex to clear your mind of that giant asshole? Sure am.”
“You just said yourself, he’s a nice guy. Doesn’t seem to be the Beck-type at all, if you know what I mean.”
“I know exactly what you mean, but that doesn’t preclude him from having sex with women he doesn’t intend to marry.”
“Bachelor pact and all?”
“Exactly. We were just talking about that the other day. Parker… has his reasons to be single too.”
I was about to ask what those reasons were until I remembered the feeling of utter and complete emptiness, of rejection and humiliation, when Makis broke up with me for the second time. And that was after I’d told myself, the first time, I’d never let it happen again.
So I didn’t ask. Didn’t care.
“Good reasons, I bet. The guy’s got it right. Dating sucks. Zero stars. Do not recommend.”
“Oh, stop, you don’t mean that.”
“I swear on…” Thinking about that for a second, I said, “I swear on a tuna sandwich I mean it, 100 percent.”
“Who swears on a tuna sandwich?”
“I do. With little bits of celery, on toast, to be specific.”
