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“Only if you’re absolutely sure.”

“A thousand percent,” she whispers again, then beams at me. “All right,” she says to Sid. “Let’s get going. I need my beauty sleep.”

Sid’s eyes widened. “No you don’t, you . . . ” He glances at me and doesn’t finish his sentence.

What does this rookie think he’s doing?

Valentina reaches out to me again and squeezes my hand. “And I’m so proud of you.” With those words, she disappears into the car.

And Parker and I stare at each other.

Chapter 8 – Parker

“I’m so proud of you.” The words echo in my head.

What did Valentina mean by that?

I won’t ask, I won’t ask. “Okay. Have a nice evening.” I exhale heavily. Ah. There we go. I can act normal around him.

“What did you order?” Evan asks, pointing to my favorite restaurant.

I must have hesitated too long, because he tilts his head slightly. “Chickpeas?”

The most mundane and simplest dish on the menu, but I love it. I’d love to lie and name some fancy grilled dish, but I’ve never been able to lie when it comes to myself. My job, on the other hand . . . I nod once, curtly. “Yeah. That hasn’t changed.” Shit. Why am I doing this? Why do I keep bringing up the past?

“Great,” Evan mutters.

With a sigh, I walk past him toward the restaurant. “I’m already late and should go get my food.”

“Sure, of course.” He follows me.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m coming with you.” He scrutinizes me as if I’m a bit slow on the uptake.

“You don’t have to,” I manage to say. “I’m perfectly capable of picking up my food on my own.”

“I know that. I’m here anyway, and . . . ”

“Evan.”

“It was a nice evening, and I’m stretching my legs.”

I stare at him.

“And I promised Valentina I’d get you home safely.”

I don’t say anything to that and roll my eyes. To save my sanity, I cut this conversation short and walk away. “You two seem to get along well,” I say.

Evan is right next to me, reaching around me to open the door for me. “Yeah. She’s fantastic. I haven’t even thanked you properly yet. If I have to go through with this, it’s a relief to have her by my side.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” I turn toward the front desk, but Aanya has already spotted me; she reaches for a bag and comes to give it to me.

“I’m glad you could make it. All but one of the drivers called in sick. We couldn’t spare anyone,” she explains.

I wave it off and take the package from her. “Don’t worry about it. It’s not that far from my place, and an evening walk is exactly what I needed.”

She smiles. “At least your limbs don’t freeze solid the moment you step outside anymore.”