Page 32 of Playing with My Heart

Instead, I let my imagination wander, indulging in thoughts of what could be. I pictured lazy Sunday mornings with Parker, sharing coffee and laughter. I imagined the feeling of his hand in mine, not out of desperation or comfort, but because he wanted it there. The warmth of his body pressed against mine as we watched movies, no need for the pretense of separate seats on the couch.

But reality crashed back in, cold and sobering. He was fresh out of a long-term relationship. He was vulnerable, hurting. Any move I made now would be a dick move. No, I had to be patient. Be the friend he needed right now and nothing more. I just hoped someday, I might get the chance to be more.

Chapter Twelve

PARKER

The knot in my stomach tightened as I pulled up outside my old apartment and turned off the engine. I had rehearsed what I would say when I saw David again, how I’d keep my voice steady and my hands from trembling, but now, I wasn’t so sure I’d be able to. It had been a month since we’d ended things—a month of long nights tossing and turning and replaying every moment of our relationship in my head.

I climbed out of the car, thankful Travis had let me borrow it so I could get the rest of my stuff. To be honest, I had a lot more than just that to thank him for. Travis had been my rock ever since he came and got me from the bar, giving me a place to stay, patiently listening for hours on end as I talked about my history with David, putting his arm around me when I cried. Breaking up with David was the hardest thing I’d ever had to do, and I didn’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t had Travis by my side.

The crisp autumn air nipped at my cheeks, the wind trying to steal the colorful leaves off the trees. I walked up the front steps and paused, my hand hovering over the buzzer. What if things were awkward between us, or worse, what if David was angry with me now? The thought made my stomach churn. Taking a deep breath, I pushed the button.

“Come on up.” His voice sounded tinny through the ancient speakers. “Hey, Parker,” he greeted me with a warmth I hadn’t heard in a long time, a smile that actually reached his eyes. His hair was tousled in that just-out-of-bed look I’d found irresistibly charming once upon a time.

“Hey,” I replied, my voice steadier than I anticipated. But then, there’s something about seeing someone you cared about looking healthier, happier, that soothes the sting of loss. We moved through the apartment with practiced ease, David helping me grab the boxes of my things and carrying them out to the car. There were no lingering touches or sorrowful glances; instead, there was this unspoken understanding between us, a mutual respect for the love we once shared.

“So, how have you been?” I asked on our final trip down to the car.

His smile seemed genuine. “Good. It was rough for a while, but I’m slowly getting better.”

I nodded. “Same here. Got to take it one day at a time, right?”

“Exactly.” I shoved the box I had inside the trunk and turned to take his.

“So, uh—Dr. Martinez asked me out,” he said nervously as he handed me a box filled with various keepsakes—a mix of cinema ticket stubs and seashells from vacations past. His gaze refused to meet mine.

“Martinez?” I echoed, trying to place a face to the name before realizing it didn’t matter. I clutched the cardboard boxa little tighter, a myriad of emotions swirling within me. “What did you say?”

David shrugged awkwardly, leaning against the side of the car. “I don’t know. I’m not sure if I’m ready.”

I took a deep breath, steadying myself before I responded. “You deserve to find happiness, David.” The words felt heavy on my tongue, but they were true. Our relationship may have changed, the love we shared fizzling out, but one thing had never changed. David was my friend. He and I had been friends long before he became my boyfriend, and with any luck we’d find a way to remain friends after. I really hoped so. I couldn’t imagine not having him in my life at all.

“Thanks, Parker.” He smiled, and it struck me just how much I missed that smile—the unabashed, full-wattage grin that used to light up my darkest days. “And you? Are you happy?”

I paused, considering the question. The truth was, I wasn’t sure. “I’m working on it,” I admitted.

He clapped me on the shoulder. “You’ll get there. I know you will. You’re one of the good ones, Parker Reyes. You deserve someone who will always put you first,” he said, his words laced with sincerity.

With the car loaded up, we said goodbye and I watched David until he’d disappeared inside the building. I lingered on the sidewalk, taking one last look at the place we had shared—the place we had hoped to make into a home. With a deep breath, I realized it was okay to leave pieces of your heart in the places and people that shaped you. That’s how we grow.

As I drove away, the city unfolded before me—bustling and alive, full of endless possibilities. And somewhere in the hustle and bustle, I knew I’d find my own version of happiness. Maybe it was waiting for me at the clinic, wrapped up in the warm, easy smiles of Travis, or maybe it was still hiding, tucked away in the corners of tomorrow.

But for now, at least I had a sense of closure, a feeling that everything was going to be alright. And in that moment, with the remnants of the day melting into night, I was content in the knowledge that both David and I were on our paths to finding what we truly needed.

“Hey, Parker?” Travis called from his office door, snapping me out of my reverie. “You ready to call it a night?”

I glanced up from the last of my patient reports and nodded, returning his easy smile. “Yeah, just give me one sec to finish this up.”

“Take your time,” he said, leaning against the doorway with a grace that seemed innate to him. His casual stance, the way his blond hair fell just right, the perpetual tan that made his blue eyes stand out—it all painted the picture of a man who had never known a moment of self-doubt.

“Done,” I declared, clicking save on the document before pushing back from my desk. The clinic was quiet, the hushed sounds of the city outside filtering through the walls. It felt intimate, this shared space at the end of the day when everyone else had gone home.

Travis met me as I stepped into his office, his athletic build outlined by the soft light from his desk lamp. “So, what are you thinking for dinner? We could grab a bite somewhere or pick something up to take home?”

“Either sounds good,” I replied, feeling a flicker of warmth at the thought of spending the evening with him. “Your call.”

“Let’s go out,” he suggested, a playful tilt to his lips. “I could use some fresh air after being cooped up in here all day.”

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