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I hugged him. I tried to pull away, but he wasn’t letting me go.
“I have to go to sleep. We need to be at work in like six hours.”
“I know,” he whispered. “I just… needed this.”
“Goodnight, Erik. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He kissed my cheek. “Goodnight, Button.”
I closed the door behind me and stood staring at the dark apartment. I checked Parker’s text from earlier.
Parker:You missed a really fun practice. Nathaniel took a hell of a tumble and rolled across the dirt. He’s mostly okay but will have a gnarly bruise on his arm tomorrow.
Me:Wish I could’ve seen it. Had to finish some work. Just got home.
I didn’t expect him to still be awake when I answered, but my phone buzzed as I brushed my teeth.
Parker:Just now? You should’ve called me to walk you home. It’s really late.
Me:I managed. Thank you, though.
Parker:It’s not safe for you to be walking by yourself this late, princess. Call me next time.
Based on his reaction to a date with Erik that he knew was coming, I didn’t want to tell him I hadn’t been alone.
Parker:Actually, there is no next time. Don’t stay that late again, please.
Me:Okay.
Me:You’re a great guy, you know? I don’t think I’ve told you that enough?
Parker:Just wait until Saturday. I’m going to go from great to incredible.
Me:I’m excited about it. I just hope you can live up to the expectations you’re setting.
I put my phone down and thought about tonight. Lainee would be able to send the draft to our client in the morning. As tired as I was, I couldn’t shake the feeling of how great it was to collaborate with Erik again. To be a team.
My phone buzzed again, and I couldn’t resist checking it.
Parker:Trust me, you’re going to love me after. Night, princess. We’ve got work in the morning. Well…technically, later today.
Me:We’ll see about that. Night, Parker.
I read his message a handful of times before falling asleep. An uneasy happiness sunk into my heart.
Chapter Twenty
Saturday morning.
Forty-two days left.
My Saturday plans were still a mystery when I opened my eyes in the morning. Gabby worked at the café one Saturday per month, and today was it, so she was also up early. I heard the blender crushing her fruit and ice together for her morning smoothie.
I walked out to the kitchen, greeted her, and scared her.
“What are you doing up so early?” she asked when she caught her breath. “It’s the weekend.”
“Parker has a surprise for us today, and he said to be ready by seven.”
