Page 5 of Steamy Dunk
And then he remembered something.
"Remind me to introduce you to Shalee tonight."
That skeptical look was back on Violet's face. "The ex."
"Oh yuck, no. She's my teammate's wife. The last time we were here, she couldn't stop talking about those uh... What arethe lights that are attached to the wall by the bar with the mirrors?"
Violet smiled. "Sconces."
"She wants them for their house."
"I can help with that."
The buildings of Chicago were slowing down as they got closer to the restaurant and Parker started asking Violet questions about where she was from and how long she had lived in the building. She asked him why he moved there.
"My ex was cheating on me with another man in my building."
He could hear her sharp intake of breath. "Awkward."
"Tell me about it," he said. "Anyway, she's here tonight because he's here tonight since he's a pediatrician at the children's hospital that's putting this whole thing on."
Even though it was getting dark, Parker could see Violet's eyes go wide as she looked at him. He probably shouldn't have gone through with this. He was realizing that this really was a bad idea to walk her into an awkward situation when he had only met her this morning.
"OK, so I have questions."
She said it so matter of fact that Parker was ready for whatever vitriol she sent his way and he knew he would deserve it.
"How are we playing this then? I'm your girlfriend? We just met today? What are we doing?"
Parker just stared at her. "Um..."
"Did you not think this part through?" she asked teasingly.
"I'm still just shocked you said yes to me this morning."
"Ah."
She turned to look out the car window and the lights from outside cast a glow on her face. She seemed to be amused by thisand he wasn't sure if that unnerved him or turned it on. Well, probably turned him on.
It also gave him a moment to finally notice her. It seemed like they had rushed to get out the door and rushed to get in the car and then he rushed through all this conversation. But now, in the quiet, he had some time to really look at her.
Violet's dress shimmered in the light and the dark green was sultry without being overboard. It wasn't a bright red dress that screamed "Look at me," but more of a subtle look that still looked gorgeous on her. Her brown hair was down and cascading over her shoulders and had some body to it. It looked soft and made him wish he could run his hand through it, but they didn't know each other like that.
He had noticed her make-up when he saw her in the lobby. He was sure she had taken some time to make it look good, but it seemed so subtle and effortless.
Effortless.
That was the word to describe her. She wasn't going to be make this a drama about dating a basketball player. She was coming to have a good time, enjoy herself tonight, be an effortless date, and Parker would have to step up to her level.
Violet turned, her hair falling over her shoulder again in a way that made Parker want to reach out and grab a handful, but he had to control himself.
"So here's the plan: we live in the same building and that's how we met even though it's a little weird that you've met more than one woman this way."
Parker shrugged. "Sorry?"
She waved her hand in the air. "We'll discuss that later," she said dismissively. "Anyway, I saw you needed some help when you moved in and we've been hanging out since then. When was what by the way?"
"What?"
