Parker leaned forward, elbows on his knees as if ready for an intense conversation. “Let’s find out. Chocolate or vanilla?”
“Chocolate.”
He shook his head. “Nope, vanilla. Beach or mountain?”
“Beach.”
“Zero for two. Mountains for me. Favorite season?”
“Fall. One hundred percent.”
“Oh, man, we’re not doing so great. I’m a summer guy. Fishing. Boating. But fall isn’t so bad.”
“Morning person or night owl?” I asked.
“Morning, for sure.”
I grimaced. “You’re right. We’re sucking it up. How about dream destination?”
Parker raised his eyes, looking straight up toward the bedrooms upstairs. “Pleading the fifth on that one. Mace, grab me a beer?”
I laughed, ignoring the rush of heat that coursed through me at his insinuation. I had to admit, my bedroom with him in it… or his bedroom with me in it… sounded pretty dreamy to me. “I meant for a vacation, silly.”
“Oh, well, in that case, Montana. Let me guess from the look on your face, not your top pick?”
Funny he’d say Montana. “No,” I said. “That would be Italy. I’ve always wanted to see it.”
We talked about the places we had been and tried to find more commonalities until Mason and Pia finished cooking. By then, the other guys came back inside from the hot tub, changed, and joined what turned out to be our late-night pizza party.
It was all fun and games until everyone started going to bed. Alone with Parker once again, reluctant to leave him, I asked if he was tired.
“Not even a little. You?”
“Nope,” I said, glad to go back to sharing favorites, trying to find more things in common. Having stopped drinking, I was content to talk to Parker and listen to the crackle of the fireplace. I hadn’t looked at my phone in a while, but the last time I did peek, it was past three in the morning. Fighting sleep, I stayed awake as Parker headed into the bathroom, wondering if I should get up and join him on the couch. Maybe I would, but only after I closed my eyes for a second. Just a tiny little nap until he came back.
18
PARKER
Coffee in hand, I wandered over to the sliding glass doors. The sun wasn’t up yet, nor were any of my housemates. Delaney must have gotten up at some point during the night after she’d fallen asleep. The blanket that I’d put on top of her after she dozed off was still on the couch, but it was otherwise empty.
Pia assured me that Delaney had the ability to fall asleep on a dime, and that I shouldn’t take it personally. After how much we’d drunk, and lulled by the warmth of the fire at three in the morning, it hadn’t even occurred to me to do so, but Pia’s reassurance was welcome anyway. She and Delaney were close, and the fact that Pia worried at all about my reaction told me something about Delaney’s state of mind.
I took a sip of coffee just as the sun began to peek over the mountain.
What a spectacular view. When I built my own house, I’d be sure to position it similarly. Watching the sun rise always gave me a sense of peace and hope for the day. It was part of the reason I enjoyed fishing so much, being up and out early enough to watch the world come awake.
Delaney.
As I watched the sunrise, I thought of my last glimpse of her, fast asleep on the couch. With luck, I’d never run into her asshole ex. The last time I’d gotten into a fight was in college, and I’d prefer to keep it that way, but there was no chance I would be able to keep myself from punching that dickhead in the face if I ever met him. I didn’t blame him for breaking up with her but for messing with her head. Clearly he’d done a number on her. Controlling piece of shit.
It was probably good she fell asleep. After that kiss, I’d wanted to scoop Delaney up and set her on my lap as we talked. In that position, there was very little chance we’d have only talked, either. Kissing her had been the highlight of my week.
Month.
Year.
“You slept in,” I said as Mason joined me.
