Page 61 of The Proximity Factor

“I know.” We’d been through this conversation before.

“So, you think I should take this place?” Parker sounded excited about it. He’d been so worried about not being able to afford anything decent. But now that his company was exploding, he had the means to get what he wanted. It said a lot about him that he was still trying to stay on the modest side of his budget. I had yet to see the office space he’d already signed a lease for. It was still weird for us to talk about work. I wished it weren’t, but hopefully that would change someday.

“I think it’s great. Two thumbs up.”

Relief washed over Parker. “I’ll let the leasing office know I’m going to take it. Then we can go grab dinner.”

That was good news. I was starving. I’d come straight here after teaching all day, followed by cheer practice. My lunch period was hours ago. But first, I tightened my legs around him, refusing to let him go. “First, you need to answer the question of the day.” It was a thing I’d started. I wanted to get to know every part of him.

Parker gave me an amused expression. “What will it be today? Does it have to do with picking a favorite superhero?”

Yesterday’s question was: Which superpower would you most like to have? He’d said ultimate intellect. I’d said to fly.

“Are you mocking me? That’s not the question, even though you can tell a lot about a person from their answer. But I don’t have to ask. I already know who you would choose.”

Parker’s right brow quirked. “Who?”

“Batman.”

Parker dipped his chin, his eyes wide. “How did you know?”

“Because he doesn’t have unnatural superpowers, which I have a feeling you think would make you less of a superhero. Batman has to rely on his intellect and strength. And he feels a strong need to protect and save everyone around him, just like you.”

Parker blinked slowly, taken aback. “That’s how you see me?”

“Yes,” I whispered.

He brushed my lips with his own. “I really don’t deserve you.”

“Sure you do. I’m like your Catwoman, except I don’t steal things. Meow.” I flexed my hand like it was a claw.

He cleared his throat. “The thought of you in a catsuit. Dang.”

“I actually have one.” I said playfully, but I was totally serious. Catsuits came in handy for Halloween. You could do a lot with one.

He cupped my face in his hands. “You really are going to be the death of me.”

“It’s one way to go,” I sang.

“The best way.”

“Well, that’s sweet.” I nipped his lower lip. “Now for the real question of the day: What is your biggest disappointment?”

He dropped his hands and thought, his eyes disconcerted. It was a good thing. It meant I was going to learn something meaningful about him, something he’d never shared with me before.

“Maren and I had a lot of negative pregnancy tests,” he said with difficulty.

“Oh,” I cried. I’d always wondered why they didn’t have children, but I didn’t want to be callous and ask. “I’m sorry, Parker.”

“It was rough.” He let out a heavy breath, as if he could still feel the ache of each one. “Each test brought hope and despair, both equally devastating.”

I placed my hands on his stubbled cheeks. “You would be such a wonderful dad.”

His eyes brightened just a touch. “You think so?”

“I know so. You take such good care of Daphne, and I see how you are with your friends’ kiddos.”

He offered me a smile.

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