Page 65 of Heartless

I snorted and walked past him.

“If you are just going to snort at me, maybe I should leave,” he said, and had the nerve to sound offended.

“Feel free to go. It’s not like I’ve invited you over.”

The dog had taken a pillow from the couch and was now lying on it while chewing on the edge.

“And take that monster with you. I can’t stand it anymore.” What I couldn’t stand was Parker’s attitude. I wanted him out of the villa. “Everything is covered in dog hair and saliva.”

A warm hand wrapped firmly around my elbow and Parker swirled me around.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

How could I explain it to him when I didn’t quite understand it myself? I hated how he came and went whenever he wanted. I hated how he sometimes made me feel like he enjoyed spending time with me and then completely ignored me for days. But most of all I hated that I cared about any of it.

“It’s not nothing. I gave you a compliment and you lost your shit.”

“Yougave me a compliment? I thought that Ryan was the impressed one.”

He raised an eyebrow at me. “Is that what this is about? My supposed lack of interest in your job?” I tried to shake his hand off but he didn’t let me. He leaned forward and continued. “You’re mad at me because I didn’t show up yesterday, aren’t you?”

My phone rang and saved me from having to answer that question. I yanked my arm out of his firm grasp and bolted toward the kitchen table. I didn’t remember the last time I felt so happy that my mother was calling.

“Mom! Hi.”

“Hello, dear. I just wanted to check if Parker is coming to Christmas dinner with you.”

I glanced at Parker. He smirked and started walking in my direction which could only mean that he had heard her.

“I’m not sure yet,” I shot him a warning glare.

“What do you mean you’re not sure? It’s in two days.”

Parker reached me and leaned forward, the scent of his minty breath causing me shortness of breath. “Hi, Mrs. Hartley!”

Then he took the phone from my hand and put it on speaker.

“Parker,” my mother sighed in delight. “Please tell me you are coming to Christmas dinner.”

“I am,” Parker said in a sugary voice. “Thank you for inviting me.”

“Of course, dear. You are practically a part of the family now.”

I made a disgusted face at my mother’s obvious attempts to tie me and Parker together.

“Should I bring anything? Except your beautiful daughter, of course,” he said and winked at me.

“No, honey. You two are more than enough. I know you’re a busy man, but we would love to see more of you.”

He fixed his gaze on me. “I’m working on it.”

Liar. The most dangerous type. A convincing one.

“What time should we come over?” He asked her.

“Well, the others are coming in the afternoon, but you could come later. I know you’re a busy man.”

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