Page 11 of In Your Dreams

“I’m sorry,” I say, laughing. “It seems I’ve forgotten how to hold an adult conversation. How are you?” God, why am I acting like this? I know Parker, he knows me. We spoke two days ago. Why can’t I speak normally?

“I could be better. Got a chip on my shoulder these days,” he says.

“Oh no, what’s wrong?” I ask.

“Well, I fancy this woman, see? And I shot my shot, right? But she turned me down,” he says.

Wow. I walked right into that one, didn’t I? “Well, maybe it has nothing to do with you?”

Parker’s eyes darken. His smirk draws wide as his mouth slacks a bit. And then, very deliberately, his tongue runs across the edge of his upper teeth before he bites into his bottom lip.

And then I see God and go to heaven.

Just kidding. Because I didn’t read the bible very carefully, but I’m pretty surethatwasn’t saintly or godly. It doeslook a little heavenly though but I don’t think that’s the same thing.

“Um.” I clear the lust from my throat and cross my legs. “And where did you plan to take this woman you fancy?”

“Can’t say,” he says. “It’s a secret.”

There’s a thrumming in my chest that runs a little deeper every time he speaks. Or makes those sexy eyes. Or wears tight T-shirts. Or dances. Yeah, it’s confirmed. He shouldn’t speak to me, or make direct eye contact, convert to wearing potato sacks and never move his hips. Like ever again.

“Well, I should probably go,” he says, standing from the chair.

“Oh okay,” I say. “But wait, we didn’t schedule your truck.”

“Truck’s runnin’ fine,” he says, turning back toward me at the door. “You have yourself a wonderful day, mama.”

And then he winks. He. Winks. At me. With that last “mama”, I’m unwell. I’m having sexual hot flashes and maybe a heart attack.

“Wait,” I call out before I can stop myself. I run to the doorway and he turns, already a few steps away. “So do you remember that time I told you that you’d be the first to know when I was ready to date?”

CHAPTER EIGHT

PARKER

Did I swing by the shop knowing Poppy would be there? Yes, yes I did. Did I also decide to lay on the sexy charm with the hope that it would break her down? Yes, I also did that. Do I have any regrets? Not on this beautiful Tuesday I don’t. Not a goddamn one, in fact.

We exchanged numbers after she stopped me from leaving and I told her I’d text her later with the info for our date. So this morning I wrote:

ME: Good morning, beautiful. This Friday. Pick you up at 7pm.

To which she replied:

POPPY: Where are we going?

And then it went like this:

ME: Already told you, that’s a secret

POPPY: How am I supposed to know what to wear?

ME: Keep it fairly casual

POPPY: Casual cute or casual like we’re going on a five mile hike?

ME: you overthink things a lot, huh?

POPPY: No. Maybe…

---