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What the hell was wrong with him?
The waitress came over to their table to get their drink orders, and both of them went ahead and ordered their dinner. Tyler frowned at Parker as the waitress walked away. “Just a salad? You should eat a real meal. Some red meat or something. Keep that figure up.”
Parker stared at him, black eyebrows high on her face. “Um… thanks? I like salad, though.”
Ty shook his head. If she stayed in town for longer this time, he’d make sure she ate some real food. He paused for a moment, surprised at that thought. He’d been telling himself that he just wanted to get her in his bed again, but if that was the case, why was he worrying about what she did or didn’t eat?
Maybe he shouldn’t see her again after tonight. Everything about his reactions to her were making him uncomfortable.
“You okay, Ty?” Parker asked softly.
Forcing a smile, he replied, “I’m fine. So California, huh? What made you decide to go there?”
Parker eyed him for a moment before answering. “I went for college, and just ended up staying after I graduated. When I left here, I couldn’t wait to get out, so I jumped at the chance to stay in San Diego.”
Ty felt warring emotions tighten his chest. She didn’t like it here? Why did that make him sad and relieved, all at once? “So you probably won’t be staying long this visit either, huh?” He asked, fighting to keep any emotion out of his voice.
He must not have succeeded because he saw a flash of disappointment pass through Parker’s eyes. Shit, he thought as they paused the discussion while the waitress sat their orders down. He was screwing this all up. What the hell was the matter with him?
Parker took a sip of her water before picking up her fork, picking at her salad. “I’m a graphic designer and I work from home, actually. I can be gone as long as I want, but I think I’ll end up heading back soon, after all.”
Tyler forced his meatloaf down past the lump that had suddenly formed in his throat. Why did he feel like that was a decision she’d just made, and all because of his reactions in the last few minutes?
He’d just opened his mouth to reply when Wendy and Hannah walked inside, spotting them and headed in their direction. He bit back a groan as they stopped at the booth.
Hannah looked uncomfortable, but Wendy put a hand on Tyler’s shoulder and leaned in. “I was hoping I’d see you today, Ty,” she purred. She caressed his shoulder, uncaring that he was sitting stiffly under her hand. Wendy glanced at Parker, and her tone hardened. “Did you accost poor Ty in here, Parker? You should have let him eat in peace while he waited for me. At least you’re only eating a salad. Just don’t follow that up with a slice of cake, and you might make a little progress.”
Ty scowled at Wendy, but before he could say anything, Parker was opening her wallet and putting some money on the table. “This was a mistake,” she said softly. “Thanks for meeting me here, Ty. I think I’m going to head home, though. You guys enjoy your evening.”
Before he could protest, Parker was out of the booth and heading for the door. Wendy slid into Parker’s side, letting out a sigh of satisfaction. “Now that she’s out of here, we can have some fun. Want to go to Pete’s with me tonight, Ty?”
Ty stared at Wendy in disbelief, as Hannah hovered and shifted uncomfortably. “What the fuck was that, Wendy? You just interrupted my date and ran Parker off.”
Wendy blinked and then laughed, bright pink lipstick shining in the lights from the diner. “Oh, Tyler. That’s hilarious. You don’t have to pretend and play nice, though. Parker’s gone; she won’t hear it. You can tell the truth now.”
Ty angrily gathered up the money Parker had dropped and slid from the booth so he could pay the bill. He needed to catch up with Parker, and he needed to get away from Wendy. His wolf was riled up and in ‘kill shit’ mode, and the way Tyler was feeling, he didn’t even want to control him.
Hannah backed up nervously as Ty stood up. “I wanted to be here, Wendy, and not that it’s any of your business, but it really was a date. A date you crashed and ruined. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay away from Parker from now on. If I find out you’ve harassed her or talked to her again like you just did, you won’t like the consequences.”
Stalking away, Ty hurried to pay the bill and then rushed to the door. He looked around but couldn’t find Parker, and he was getting nervous as he headed to his truck. Climbing inside, he started the engine and pulled out, not sure where to start looking for her. He didn’t know where her parents lived.
He was passing the hotel when he caught sight of Parker walking to a door. Frowning, he pulled in the parking lot. He thought she said she was going home. Parking, he jumped out of the truck, calling her name. She stiffened and turned in surprise as he jogged over to her.
“You shouldn’t have left. Or at least waited until I paid the bill, and let me leave with you. Why are you here? I thought you were going home.”
Parker studied him for a moment, face inscrutable, before she sighed. “I’m staying here while I’m in town. When I said home, I meant California. I’m going to go home in the morning.”
Ty stiffened as his wolf panicked. He rubbed at his chest, wondering what the hell was wrong with the animal. Maybe the last few years really had broken him.
“I didn’t think you’d been in town that long,” Ty said, fighting to sound normal.
She sighed again and studied him for a few moments before answering. “I haven’t. Look, we need to talk. Will you come inside for a few minutes?”
Frowning, Ty nodded and then followed her into her room. Whatever she wanted to say, it didn’t sound like it would be good. She’d said she wanted to talk when he’d seen her last night, come to think of it, but he’d been so focused on seeing her again that he hadn’t given it much thought.
He walked into the slightly shabby room, unable to keep his mind from flashing back to four months ago, when he and Parker had rented a room exactly like this one in the hotel. His body reacted to the thought, and he fought to push the memories back as Parker turned and gestured for him to sit in the single chair by the bed. He did so, frowning as she took a seat on the edge of the bed, twisting her fingers together nervously.
“What’s up, Parker?”
