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Nothing felt worse than awkward, I-don’t-know-what-to-do-now moments. After glancing around the darkened newsroom, I returned my reluctant attention to her. “Are you sure you’re—?”
She smiled, and her dimples slayed me. “This ain’t my first rodeo, partner. I can get myself home just fine.”
I nodded and opened my mouth instinctively, wanting to tell her something that led to future meetings. But shit,wouldwe see each other again? It was likely since I was her landlord and all, but would it be uncomfortable now?
Since I was obviously floundering, Oaklynn took control of the moment and grabbed my elbow before pulling me into a warm hug. “I had a good time,” she admitted into my ear before kissing my cheek. “Thanks for tonight. I really needed this.”
“Yeah,” I agreed.
I turned my nose into her hair and breathed in her peach scent one last time before letting go and pulling away. “Bye,” I said softly, looking into her eyes with the hope that this wasn’t our last encounter.
She smiled softly and waved back. “Bye.”
Huffing out a breath, I turned away and hurried from the darkened newsroom.
After jogging down the hall, then some stairs, and finally pushing my way outside, I was able to find Parker immediately.
He was still sitting on the ground next to the bench he’d fallen off of with his arm draped over the seat as he sang Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night.”
“Ohrley?” I called as I strolled over.
He broke off singing to glance around wildly before spotting me.
Then he grinned big and lifted his arm, waving with his flask. “Hey! It’s Damien!” he cheered. “There you are again.” He started to stand, only to sway dizzily as soon as he made it to his feet.
When he frowned in confusion, as if he couldn’t figure out why he was tottering, I rushed the last few steps to grip his shoulder and steady him. “Let me help you home.”
Parker took my help without question, and as soon as he was stable, he hugged me. “Thanks, man.” But when he started to pull away again, he paused and sniffed at me. “Dude, you smell like peaches.”
God, please don’t remind me.
A zing went through my system. But I ignored it.
Taking his arm, I started to lead him in the direction that I’d parked my truck. “Come on. I’m this way.”
“Okay.” Bobbing his head, he followed me trustingly, only to nudge my arm. “Hey. Where’s the crazy tenant?”
“She’s not crazy, and we said goodnight already,” I alluded as Parker slung an arm over my shoulders and bumped into me as we stumbled along.
“Good,” he slurred with a sloppy nod and then pointed at me as if trying to be serious, even though he could barely hold his head up. “You needed to send her on. That woman is not to be trusted; I’m telling you...” He paused a second, and froze with his finger lifted before belatedly adding, “Though, I gotta say, I do not fault you at all for thinking with your dick instead of your head on this one because, wow… She was seriously hot.”
I wanted to defend her, but I knew that would only get Parker going even more. And I didn’t want to listen to what he had to say about it. Especially while my body was still trying to recover after being with her.
So I diverted. “Where didyourdate go?”
“Who?” When I merely lifted my eyebrows, he sniffed. “Oh.” Grimacing, he waved a dismissive hand. “She was beginning to annoy me. I told her to get lost.” With a shrug, he concluded, “Can’t believe I let her hang around for as long as I did.”
“Fuck, man,” I said, shaking my head. “You can be utterly heartless, you know that?”
He rolled his head toward me until our faces were only inches apart. “But I still loveyou,” he countered.
I sighed. “I love you too, Park. And that’s why I’m going to say this.”
“No…no.” He shook his head. “Don’t even bother. I already know. I’m fucking spiraling again. I’ve been reliving that last night I saw them way too often lately.”
Surprised that he’d so openly admitted it, I patted his back sympathetically. “And why do you think you’ve been doing that?” I asked as I steered him toward my truck when it came into view. “What’s changed?”
“I don’t know.” With a loose shrug, he mumbled, “Nothing.”
