Page 309 of Untouchable

"You okay? Because it's seriously not a big deal, Harp, I can text her right now and we can—"

"I'm good," Harp interrupts, squeezing Parker's knee under the table. "Seriously. We're good."

Parker looks at him like he only half-believes Harp—but before he can probe deeper, Harp spots Mandy and Mindy.

“Oh my god—” Mindy’s voice cuts through the babble of the restaurant and then she’s there, hugging Parker tightly. She’s wearing a softball jersey that looks somehow flattering and chic on her, and her hair is pulled back in a high ponytail with a matching ribbon. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages.”

“Didn’t you see each other yesterday?” Harp teases, smiling as Mindy mauls Parker.

“Yes, but that’s why I said it feels like ages,” Mindy says. She straightens up, grins mischievously at Harp, and plants a bubblegum-pink kiss on his cheek. “Good to see you, Harp. It really has been ages. Or, like, two weeks.”

“Hi, Mandy,” Parker says as Mindy’s girlfriend sits down. “How was the game?”

"Hasn't happened yet," Mandy says as they settle down into their seats, "but we're gonna cream 'em."

"Yeah, we have to be out of here by 7:15 to make it to the rec center," Mindy says as they take their seats.

"What? That's only like an hour and a half from now," Parker says, pouting.

"Sweetheart... You know I love you, but the Danger Clams need their star player on time," Mindy says, putting on her best concerned face. "And I still need to French braid Mandy's hair when we get there."

"Aw, babe," Mandy says, smiling wide. "I thought you forgot."

"I would never," Mindy says seriously, clasping her hand on top of the table.

"She spoils me," Mandy says, leaning over to share a conspiratorial look with Harp.

At the risk of infantilizing two perfectly serious adults, Harp stops himself from making any cute comments about how adorable they are together. That doesn't mean he can't think cute thoughts.

They're sweeter than a goddamned aisle of snack cakes.

Harp can hardly even remember being shocked when Mindy announced the two were dating. It seems weirder now that they were ever not dating, or that Mindy had tried dating guys in the first place.

"I guess those are good excuses," Parker says, pretending to still be miffed.

"I'll get you desserts and drinks after dinner," Harp suggests quickly. "We'll still have fun tonight."

* * *

Parker flashesa grin over to Harp. He still hasn’t gotten used to the way Harp takes care of him—and he hopes he never does. Whether it’s getting dessert after dinner or fussing over Parker’s sunscreen application while they’re out hiking, Parker loves all these little ways he knows that Harp is thinking of him.

He realizes there’s a smear of pink on Harp’s cheek from where Mindy had kissed him, and he reaches across the table to wipe it off.

“Pink isn’t really your color,” he explains, stealing a kiss. He turns back and catches Mindy laughing at him. “What?”

“You two are disgusting,” she says.

“Fuck you,” Parker laughs. “You two are disgusting.”

“Not this again—” Mandy breaks in. “Last time you guys went on for hours.”

"I think we can agree that we're all very vile and objectionable," Harp says seriously.

"Yeah but Mindy's the worst," Parker says, not breaking eye contact with Mindy as he raises an eyebrow.

"Uhh, I seem to recall your boyfriend as the one who sent enough flowers to the office for you on Valentine's Day that I almost had to file for workers comp because of the pollen," Mindy says, rolling her eyes.

"It was just... three or four dozen," Parker says, crossing his arms.

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