Page 68 of Reckless Encounters

“He is.” I speak up, making our presence known, walking around to sit on the opposite couch.

“Well shit, you should have started with him being Eli’s friend, Av,” he says to me before turning his attention back to Parker. “I’ve got a soft spot for that man’s soon-to-be wife. Quinnie is my sweetheart. Love her like a granddaughter. Eli’s sister, Sloan too. Those girls always look out for my Ava Marie.”

I smile at his sentiment over my best friends. Just like I fell in love with their families, they bonded with my grandparents throughout college. Especially Quinn when she and I moved into their apartment after Sloan moved to Cali.

“Yes, that whole crew is one of a kind. And there is no doubt they all adore Ava. They are all lucky to have each other.” My belly dips as he looks over to me with a soft smile.

“What position did you play?” my grandfather asks him.

“I played first base, but my senior year when I was rounding second, trying to beat the throw to third, my Achilles popped. A career-ending injury.” I trace Parker’s expressions as he tells my grandfather this. I think out of all the painful things in his life, this one seems to hurt the least. Maybe not physically, but definitely emotionally.

My grandfather’s grimace turns into a smile. “Sorry to hear that, but sounds like you’ve found a successful career in the big city.”

Parker nods before responding. “It’s been a hell of a ride to get here, but I’m thankful for the success.”

My grandfather isn’t one to pry, but just in case, I interrupt the conversation before he proves me wrong. “Since the game’s almost over and Eli isn’t pitching, how about that walk?”

“Sure,” Parker says, standing as I do.

“Parker, do you smoke cigars?” my grandpa asks.

“Of course. Cigars and whiskey are the way to my heart,” he teases, and my grandpa smiles proudly.

“Well, meet me in the humidor after dinner. You’ll fit right in.”

“Speaking of dinner, what time are we eating?” I look to my grandma, who I’m sure has that all planned out.

“I was thinking seven. Sound good?”

Pssh, she was not thinking anything. She has all her i’s dotted and all her t’s crossed. My grandmother is a hostess extraordinaire. It may be for four people or four hundred, but she’s got it handled either way.

“Perfect.”

“Oh, and just so you know, I am having Chef Erika come out tonight. I just wanted everything to be perfect and these old hands aren’t as quick anymore.” See, planned to perfection.

I pull her in for a hug. “Anything is good with me. You know how much I love Chef Erika. But you will always be the yummiest cook in my eyes. So tonight, I get the best of both worlds since you baked me a cake.” I give her a big kiss on the cheek.

“You guys enjoy your walk. Parker, be sure to bring me back a piece of sea glass. All my special guests have to leave one behind for me to remember them by.” She points to the beautiful vases she has on display with lots of blues and greens…only one piece of sacred orange.

“I actually have some of these in storage that were my mom’s. I’m sure she would love for someone to have them on display. I’ll have to get them out and let Ava take a look.” I wonder who helped him store all their belongings. I wonder if he has ever gone through everything. Did he keep only certain items? I want to know it all. I want to be the one sitting beside him as we sift through the items that bring him joy and he can tell me about all the happy memories.

My grandma smiles brightly. “I’d love that.”

We step out onto their back patio, and he takes my hand, leading me down the steps onto the sand. Both of us are already dressed for a summer day outdoors.

I almost sputtered my coffee this morning when he walked out of his room, leg tat on full display in his shorts, navy linen shirt, and flip-flops. Something I didn’t even think the man owned, but was utterly dreamy in, nonetheless.

To top it all off, right before we walked out the door, he ran his fingers through his hair, pushing the longer strands on the top back and slid a baseball hat on…backwards.

Parker’s deep voice drags me from my thoughts. “They were exactly how you described them.”

Wait, who? Oh yeah, my grandparents he just met. That damn backwards hat and leg tat.

“And how was that?” I manage to ask.

“Filthy rich, but so laid back they’d make a homeless man feel welcome at their table.”

That honestly fits them to a tee.

---