Page 42 of The Complication
I looked up as Declan had finished greeting Sebastian and the CEO was now staring at me expectantly.
“We’re just roommates,” I said with an extra wide grin.
Sebastian’s expression froze and his eyes blinked. It was like I could see his brain going all blue screen of death from that unexpected input.
“But he tells me you’ve known each other since high school,” I continued. Sebastian’s warm smile unfroze, and he nodded. I’d put him on familiar ground.
“Yes! I think he hated me back then because I was such an annoying snot, but I won him over,” Sebastian replied.
“Sebastian, this is Parker Cain. He’s an artist and brilliant with numbers,” Declan cut in.
Sebastian’s face swung to Declan, his nose scrunching up. “Numbers and art? That’s different. I didn’t think those usually went together.” He looked at me again, his smile almost blinding as he stuck out his hand. “You must be a genius.”
“Not even close, but I’ve learned to get by. My parents were worried about me making a career of art, so they pushed me to get a normal, useful degree. It just happened that I’m naturally good at math, so I got an undergraduate degree in finance and art. At least I’m somewhat employable.”
“I was lucky enough to see a sketch of a mural he’s planning to do for Declan,” Byron chimed in. “It’s gorgeous. Art is definitely your thing.”
“This is what I get for sending you to scout for me.” Sebastian threw an arm around Byron’s shoulders and pulled him in so that Byron’s smaller frame was wrapped up in Sebastian’s larger body. “You see art and meet a baby, but come home with no good dirt. Speaking of…you didn’t bring her?” Sebastian made a show of searching as if he were expecting the baby to pop out from wherever we were hiding her.
“We didn’t feel bringing a baby to the dinner party was appropriate. We won’t be staying late this evening since she is with a sitter,” Declan explained, which made Sebastian’s blond eyebrows inch toward his hairline.
“Parker! Let me introduce you to the rest of our friends,” Byron injected suddenly and loudly.
It was becoming hard not to laugh in their faces. I could see with every awkward silence, long stare, and muscle twitch that Sebastian was holding in a hundred pointed questions about who I was and what my place was in Declan’s life. It didn’t take a fucking rocket scientist to see that Declan wasn’t the type to date or take in a roommate, let alone one with a baby. I was wondering how long it would be before someone broke and who it was going to be.
We strolled across the room where Rome and another tall, slender man were standing at the bar. The stranger reminded me of Declan in a way, with his icy glare, but where my Sexy Beast was a blond bruiser, this new guy was several inches taller with swarthy skin and dark hair.
“I believe you’ve met Rome Ashbridge,” Byron introduced.
“You made it a memorable trip to the grocery store,” I teased as he shook his head.
“Yeah, that sounds about par for the course.” Rome sighed, but he was still smirking, as if he didn’t mind a little ribbing.
“And this is Pierce Sutton,” Byron continued.
“Parker Cain, good to meet you.” I held out my hand to the man, whose lips twisted into a half smile.
“So, are you really just roommates, or are you fucking him too?” Pierce inquired with a lazy drawl as he took my hand.
“Jesus fuck, Pierce! You can at least pretend for five damn minutes to be civilized!” Sebastian roared from the other side of the room.
“Actually, he’s fucking me. Has been for almost a year now,” I replied without missing a beat. I released Pierce’s hand and placed it on my almost flat stomach. “How else would we have a baby together? You’ll have to forgive me. I’m still trying to lose the baby weight.”
Rome tumbled off the stool he was perched on, his back shaking with choked laughter. Pierce glared at me for a second before his cold façade cracked with a huffed chuckle. Byron looked as if he were trying not to laugh, but his shoulders were trembling and he was hiding his face behind his hand.
There was no chance to add to my nonsense. An arm reached past me to rest on the bar and the delicious, cool scent of very expensive cologne wrapped around me. Declan was barely touching me, but it felt like I was cocooned in him.
“Parker is my friend,” Declan stated, and it sort of felt like God had descended to lay down a new commandment. The last of the giggles stopped, and a couple of people cleared their throats.
“Who needs a drink? Parker, you drinking? Dec?” Sebastian asked, shattering the silence as he moved behind the bar with Pierce.
“Iced tea, please,” Declan requested.
“Same.”
The hand Declan had resting on the bar moved to touch my arm lightly. “Are you sure? You can have a drink. I’m driving.”
“I know, but I’m still breastfeeding. It’s not good for the baby.” I grinned at Declan’s warning glare, but it was Rome choking on his drink that won the moment.
