Page 39 of Lovers at Seaside
Abe reached a hand up and Parker took it. His skin felt like tissue paper over sharp bones, making her ache down deep.
“I want you to listen to me, Parker, because I’m only going to say this once.” His brow furrowed, and he squeezed her hand. Tears filled her eyes before he said another word, because his voice had a finality to it that cut like a knife. “Lacroux, you listening?”
“Yes, sir,” Grayson said solemnly.
“Parker, you did what you set out to do. You should feel good about that, and I appreciate how difficult it must have been for you.”
Emotions clogged her throat, causing tears to spill down her cheeks. Grayson tucked her beneath his arm.
“Tears. Just ’cause I can’t see doesn’t mean I don’t hear. Give her a tissue, will you, Lacroux?” His sharp tone made Parker smile.
“Of course.” Grayson handed her a few tissues from the table.
“Those better be tears of joy,” Abe said with a stern voice. “You’ve got nothing to be sad about. You hear me?”
She nodded, realized he couldn’t see her, and choked out, “Yes.”
“Good, because this will be our last visit.”
“But—”
He held tightly to her hand and cut her off. “No. I’m an old man, and these visits exhaust me. You’ve got a life to live, and thanks to you I’ve got some remembering to do before I kick off for good. I’d like to do that alone, knowing you’re out there happy with your bodyguard slash boyfriend, who, I assume from his heartfelt, lovesick description, isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.”
A sob escaped her. Unable to hold back, she leaned in and clung to Abe. “But I’m here for a little while longer. Can’t I come back?”
His frail arms came around her. “No, honey, you can’t.”
The endearment made her sob even harder.
“Lacroux?”
“Yes, sir?” Grayson’s voice was also thick with emotion.
“You’ll take care of her.” It wasn’t a question.
“Always.”
Parker kissed Abe’s cheek, unsure if the wetness she felt was from his tears or hers. “Thank you, Abe. I think I love you.”
“You still haven’t learned.” He huffed, but his thin lips curved up in a teasing smile that made her cry again.
She tried to square her shoulders, despite the gut-wrenching sadness of knowing this was their final goodbye, and wiped her eyes. “Confidence. Control.” Drawing in a deep breath to steady her shaky voice, she said, “I love you, Abe.”
He nodded and tightened his jaw against his trembling lower lip.
Grayson took Abe’s frail hand into his big, strong one, and the sight brought more tears to Parker.
“It was a privilege to meet you,” Grayson said tenderly. “You old jackass.”
Parker gasped, and Abe coughed out a laugh.
“I knew I liked you,” Abe said. “Now get her out of here. I’ve got things to do.”
Chapter Fifteen
PARKER WAS QUIET after their visit with Abe. She’d stopped crying when they were in the elevator, and now, as they waited for the valet, her eyes were hidden beneath her sunglasses. As much as Grayson wanted to know what she was thinking, he knew the best thing he could do was hold her and give her time to process everything she’d just been through. He was still working through his own thoughts about it. Who knew the old man had a big heart under that bitter demeanor?
He tipped the valet and opened the passenger door for Parker. She started to get in and then turned and threw her arms around his neck. He held her as she cried.
