Page 45 of Mother Parker
OMG. We need more of that hunk. Pretty please with a cherry on top.
I laughed and sat back on my chair with the tea cup in between my hands. I really loved this blend. Earl Grey was one of my favorite teas as it was, but I loved the sweet rose palate of this brew. I could see some of the locals enjoying a sweet hot cup too. I was going to add this to my inventory.
Everyone started begging for Parker. Some had caught a glimpse of him last week, most hadn’t, but the comments from those who had were making them desperate for a view.
And for once, I didn’t want to share him with anyone. Even if he wasn’t so precious about his privacy—I couldn’t fault him for that—I still didn’t know if I’d put him on show. I liked that he was a part of my life that I kept to myself.
Yeah, I did have alittlecrush on him, but it was innocent. It wasn’t like I expected anything of him. He’d been married to a woman, was a Navy SEAL, and kept his thoughts and feelings to himself. You didn’t get straighter than that even if you tried.
But I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I liked having him around.
Unlike me, he wasn’t a natural at customer service. In fact, he wasn’t a natural at pretty much anything other than deep scowls and grimaces, but I still remembered that hint of a smile he’d given me. I knew it was there, hidden underneath that armor he used to cover up whatever had happened to him. Maybe I could unearth it, and he could discover his long-lost people skills.
I might not have time for love—not that he would be a contender anyway—but I was a sucker for a challenge, and it didn’t get any more challenging than Parker.
I took another sip of my tea, remembered I was still live streaming, and shook my head.
“Oops. Sorry, guys. I got distracted,” I said with a dismissive laugh, but some of them didn’t buy it.
You were thinking of your employee. Weren’t you?
Someone has a crush.
Look at his cheeks. Of course he’s got a crush. He’s blushing.
As much as I loved honesty, I couldn’t admit that live on camera, so I laughed, grabbed my spoon, and stuffed my mouth, refusing to partake in my viewers’ teasing.
His silence speaks so loud I can’t hear a thing.
I rolled my eyes, swallowed my mouthful, and sighed.
“You guys, I don’t have a crush on Pa—on my employee,” I said. I couldn’t believe I’d almost told them his name. I was sure Parker wouldn’t appreciate that. “I swore off straight boys a while ago, and I’m not falling into the same trap.”
They didn’t need to know I had a tiny crush on him. No one needed to know but me, myself, and I.
How do you know he’s straight? Did you ask him?
“I…um…” I opened my mouth, but I shut it again.
Santiagoo95 had a point.
Oh crap!
I don’t need this. I don’t need to start doubting myself.
Had I boxed Parker into a stereotype just because of everything he was and the little information I knew about him?
It was entirely possible.
Did that mean that even if he wasn’texclusivelystraight, he would be interested in me?
Nope. Not at all.
Guys like Parker didn’t fall for guys like me. And that was it. No further questions, Your Honor.
But what if he could be?
The fantasy of what could be—one I’d tried to push to the pits of my imagination—resurfaced, spreading its big gay wings inside me and giving me something I neither wanted nor needed.
