Page 70 of 7 Miles High
Chapter 21
Parker
“This is ridiculous! I haven’t done anything wrong,” I say, trying to control my urge to describe it as stupid.
She’s not budging. I see it on her face and in her eyes and more than anywhere on her mouth. Lips so tight I couldn’t part them with a pickax. She’s pissed as fuck, and there’s no reason for it.
“I don’t think it’s wrong to expect you to be up front with me, Parker. You made it sound like it was a pretty casual relationship. Now I find out you were planning to propose. How many other women were you almost engaged to?”
None!
This is the worst way to get ready for a night out. She’s looking beautiful in that red dress. I’d love to be telling her that, but it wouldn’t be wise. I can see it now. She’d think I was trying to distract her. I put on my jacket and tuck the room key in my pocket.
“But it didn’t happen. I reconsidered and came to the conclusion it wouldn’t work.” I take Natalie in my arms and she struggles but not too convincingly. “Babe. Why are we even talking about this? I love you. I told you that and I mean it. No woman has ever meant to me what you do.”
Her shoulders drop and she leans her head against my chest.
“I don’t want to be the gullible girl.”
Lifting her chin I look into pools of blue. “I know that. And you aren’t. But maybe you’re reading too much into this. Just consider that. Come on, tell me you still love me, and you forgive my stupidity. I should have told you the whole story. I get it. Even though it meant nothing to me, it was a mistake to think it would mean nothing to you.”
The sigh comes from deep down inside her. But her arms surround me and hold on tight.
“I hate fighting with you,” she says softly.
“Me too. Let’s make a promise to only do it when it’s absolutely necessary.”
She looks up at me and smiles. “And who is going to determine that?”
It makes me chuckle. “Me?” I tease.
“Think again. Neither one of us can have that power. I wouldn’t want to be telling you what’s worthy of discussion, and I sure don’t want you telling me.”
“Good point. But I think we can agree we need to talk things out that bother us. We don’t have to go from zero to sixty so quickly.”
“Agreed.”
I kiss her. It always seems to heal me in some way. Right now, the way is obvious.
“See, we did that good. Are we okay?” I say.
“Yes. Let’s go downstairs. Think the bar is set up?”
“Babe, this is a wrap party! The bar was the first thing they set up.”
I pick up my cell and hand it to Natalie. “Do you have room for this in your purse?”
She takes the cell and offers a kiss in exchange.
* * *
We weren’t the first people at the party. Not the hundredth. These are some hungry-to-party people. The noise level is rising with the amount of alcohol consumed. And the dance floor is crowded. That elbow to my side landed on my sore rib. Even the Teamsters are letting loose. For some reason they seem to have more control over their behavior than the rest of us. So seeing the Captain doing the worm gets my attention.
The room is packed with cast and crew, servers passing trays, and bartenders pouring drinks. Every bar has a line. Don’t think they anticipated the thirst. This is a drinking, smoking weed, ready for the last hurrah group.
By the time a film wraps you sort of feel like family. Even though you know it was a quick connection. It feels that way because within three months, you experience enough drama and excitement to fill a much longer period of time. This one is no different, it happens like clockwork.
“Natalie!”
