Page 57 of Reckless Encounters

“I’m good. It was fun to be challenged.”

Parker’s expression relaxes, and it brings warmth to my chest. “What got you into dance?”

“My parents put me into ballet at a young age, and that was fun, but I’ll never forget the first time my teacher invited me to take a hip-hop class. I immediately knew it was my forte. I actually asked my Aunt Samantha to sign me up for the class, since at that time, she was still living in the apartment that I live in now. She was the one taking me to dance class anyways, because she found out no one ever went with me to watch. Either my nannies or driver had always dropped me off before her.”

“Did they ever find out?”

“They had no clue until they came to the recital, and I did my routine.” I laugh, remembering the look on their faces that day.

“What did they do?” he asks gruffly.

“They were pissed. It didn’t fit the prima ballerina persona that had created for me. That was the only time I have seen my aunt mad. She went head-to-head with my mom, and let’s just say, I was able to sign up for hip-hop the next year as well.”

Parker laughs at that. “This aunt of yours sounds like a good time.”

“She’s the best. Her and my grandparents are the people who have always loved and supported me, no matter what.” I smile as I take a sip of my water.

“I’m sorry your parents are shitty, but I’m glad you have the rest of your family.”

A thought pops in my head. My grandmother has been begging me to come to visit her, and she has so many questions about my new boss/roommate. Maybe Parker would like to come too. I’d love for him to meet them, but would that be too much for him?

He showed me a huge piece of himself this weekend in Hudson Valley, so why can’t I show him something important to me?

My home away from home, that was much more about the people in it than the location or the size.

I untwist my lips, deciding to ask him. “Speaking of my grandparents... They want me to come visit soon, and I was thinking you should come out east with me.”

“Not sure about that, Av,” he says almost tentatively, looking back to his food like it has all the answers. But I decide to keep going; the request is already out there at this point.

“Come on. It will help all my grandmother’s questions about who I’m living with.” Giving him my sweetest smile, I bat my eyelashes at him.

That makes him chuckle, shaking his head at my antics. “I don’t know. I’ll think on it.”

I nod. Okay, at least it’s not a hell no.

Parker asks me meaningful questions throughout the rest of our meal, and because I know he has no problem sitting in comfortable silence with me, I know they are out of genuine curiosity. He asks what my aunt does over in Paris, more about my grandparents, and what my first job as an interior designer was like. The rapt attention and intrigue for me seems different from before our trip to Hudson Valley, or maybe even before the twins’ birthday party. I’m not sure when things started to change, but there is no denying they certainly have. I try not to analyze it too much and just soak up being in his orb for the time being.

I’ll save the overanalyzing for tomorrow… because apparently, Parker lets nothing go.

Babes Group Chat

Sloan

Blossom just called! Her and Dalton are in the city on business this week, so they are extending their trip to come to the game with all of us!

Quinn

That’s even better! I bet you miss having her around. Seriously can’t wait to see you guys.

Sloan

I tempt her weekly to move to NY and come work for me again at Masqued… Dalton is not so keen on the idea.

Me

Haha… there’s no way he’s letting her out of his sight. But yay for getting to see all my girls!

Quinn

---