Page 67 of House of Desire

“I’m not pestering him, am I, Parker?”

“No, ma’am. I just can’t answer the question. Don’t want to give away any secrets.”

“Oh, yes, yes. We wouldn’t want to get you in trouble. When you were on House of Deceit with Charlie, I wished you could both win. I liked you the most after my daughter. I thought your little romance with her was very sweet. I thought she’d be coming home with a boyfriend.

“I guess she did come home with one, didn’t she? Once Alec showed up. Oh, she told us all about how you went and punched him in the face and drug him all the way across the country. That was just so sweet of you, looking out for her like that. I don’t think I’ve ever had someone punch another person on my behalf.”

“I probably should have handled it in a different way, but he’s stubborn.”

“He’d have to be to stand up to our Charlie,” her dad says, affection shining through his voice.

We pull up in front of the hotel. Getting out of the car takes me a moment as I unpretzel my limbs, blood rushing back into my legs that fell asleep about fifteen minutes back. People stroll all over the resort. Within seconds, I spot ten different flower patterned shirts on guys as they seem to be heading toward, my guess is, a luau.

A hotel employee greets Charlie, handing her an envelope, and she nods.

“Alright, everyone. The front desk has your keys. Everyone has already been checked in. We have the rehearsal later this afternoon. If you need to attend, you’ve already been talked to. Otherwise, we’ll see you at the rehearsal dinner tonight!” Charlie says. We all start making our way to the front desk, but Charlie grabs my arm, stopping me.

“I already have your key and I wanted to give you that gift.”

“Lead the way,” I say, grabbing the handle of my bag and following behind her.

The air is thick with humidity. I’m glad the shirt I’m wearing is breathable as the salty ocean breeze blows through, cooling me down.

“What is this present, anyway?” I ask, trailing behind the tall redhead. Just like everywhere else we go, heads turn as people check Charlie out.

“It’s a surprise. You’ll see soon.”

She makes a turn and goes down a sidewalk between two cream-colored, two-story buildings that look out on the ocean. Arriving at a door, instead of putting the key in the door, she knocks.

“Is this not my room? What are we doing here?” I ask her, but she just gives me a look of annoyance before knocking again.

“My God, be patient,” Charlie says as Lorelei rips open the door. I catch a glimpse of the beach through the window, straight back.

“Oh, hey! Where’s my brother?” she asks, inviting us in with a sweep of her arm.

“He’s helping get people settled. I just thought I’d stop by to say hi. Wanted to make sure you got settled in this morning.” Charlie gives her a knowing smile as we move into the room. The room is smaller, but comfortable. Sounds of metal hangers clinking inside the closet draws my attention. I’m surprised there’s someone else here since Tank isn’t coming.

A hand grabs the bi-fold door, pulling it closed.

Suddenly, I’m looking into my favorite pair of honey brown eyes.

“Oh, hi,” Anastasia says, no surprise in her voice.

“Parker, did I mention Lorelei brought Anya as her date?” Charlie asks, and I can hear the smile in her voice.

I gape at Anya, my mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. All the apologies I’ve mentally written flood my mind and I want to say them all. Or move across the floor and pull her into my arms and kiss her.

“I’m going to give you two a moment to talk. Here’s your room key.” She slips a plastic card in my hand, grabs Lorelei’s arm, and then heads out the door.

“I didn’t realize you were coming,” I tell her and at the split second of worry in her eyes I realize how my words sound. “I’m glad you’re here,” I amend, truthfully.

“I couldn’t say no to Lorelei when she asked,” she says.

We stand there awkwardly for a moment.

“I want—” I start.

“Don’t you—” she says.

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