Page 39 of Hers to Marry
“Aren’t you, though? And…and maybe I should’ve been more clear about what I wanted from this relationship. I didn’t…I thought that maybe…”
Her phone rang. She quickly moved to her purse sitting on the dresser. “It’s the company!” She answered the phone. “Parker,” she said in a business-like tone, devoid of any emotion.
Her eyes got big, and the most exuberant expression Drew had ever seen lit up her face. She looked happier now than when he had proposed. Drew pushed down the uncomfortable churn in his gut.
Eyes clear and nose way less red, Parker’s back straightened and she showcased her warrior smile. “Thank you. Thank you, sir. I understand. Yes. Yes, I will see you in a couple of weeks. Absolutely. Okay, goodbye,” she said in the same tone, despite looking like she was ready to shout from the roof. She calmly ended the call and then squealed.
She ran over to Drew and flung herself in his arms. “I got it! I got it! I’m president! Oh, Andrew!” She planted her lips on his and kissed him passionately.
Drew kissed her back for all the times he hadn’t been there for her and the time he had almost kissed Kat. He felt his heart breaking the longer their lips remained fixed, although he wasn’t sure who it broke for: Parker or Kat? Softly, she pulled back and stared into his eyes. Confusion swirled in her round depths.
“Congratulations, Parker,” he whispered. “No one deserves it more than you, and I mean that. I know you’ve been working hard and how stressed out you’ve been about this deal.”
She sat beside him. “I have been incredibly stressed, and I’ve unnecessarily taken it out on you.”
“No, don’t apologize. I’m the one who should be sorry. I looked at another woman, and…and that’s not me at all.”
She smiled sadly. “She was there first.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Parker…”
She laid her hands on Drew’s chest. “Look, Andrew…I…I know I haven’t exactly been the easiest person to be with these last few months. I understand if…if you’re looking elsewhere for attention—”
“Parker, I’m not looking!”
She studied his eyes and then nodded, appearing satisfied. “Okay. Well, I’d like to propose a change.”
“Okay?” Drew tentatively asked.
“How about counseling? I still want to marry you.”
“Even though you threw your ring at me?”
Her eyes went to the ceiling. “I was angry. And I know I need to work on that, before you say anything.”
He wasn’t going to say that. She had a right to her anger. He’d almost kissed Katrina, and the thought wouldn’t go away—how he still wanted to actually feel her lips against his.
“What do you think about what I’ve said?”
Drew nodded. “I’d like to work on it, too. Counseling? When are we going to fit it in?”
Parker’s phone buzzed and her gaze landed on it. “How about we try to get a couple of sessions in with anybody while we’re in town? Maybe we can get some exercises to work on.” She went to her phone and read the screen. Her lips angled down to one side.
“What is it,” Drew asked, keeping his annoyance to a minimum.
“They want me in London tomorrow,” Parker whispered.
“Already?” Drew’s voice elevated. Parker shrank back. “Well, there goes counseling.”
Parker rushed to his side. “Looks like it’s only to discuss a few things in person.”
“They can’t pick up a telephone?”
Parker shrugged. “I’m thinking they don’t want any misunderstandings and want to keep this close.” Her thumb swiped the screen. “It’s only for a few days. I’ll be back in time for the wedding.” She grinned up at him.
“What wedding? Who’s going to put it together?”
She bit her lip and walked slowly away. Drew held his breath. The woman they had counted on was the one person Parker probably didn’t want to think about right now.
Parker sighed and faced him. “Okay, okay. I’ll make up with Kat and ask her. She’s probably the only person who can do it at the last minute.” Her eyes hardened. “But you have topromisenot to spend any more time with her than you need to. Only for wedding stuff.”
Drew placed a hand over his heart. “Promise.” And he meant it.
He hoped.
