Page 16 of Parker

A look was shared that only guys like them—nerdy kids who were constantly picked on by the bigger ones who thought they were tough shit back in the day—would understand.

“Well.” Trent stepped out of Parker’s way. “I’m sure you have important places to be. I just wanted to let you know the amazing worlds you created gave me a safe place where I could escape. So thank you.”

And just when I was starting to think about giving up the whole game designer gig.

It was something he’d considered on more than one occasion during the last few months but had kept to himself. The last thing he needed to deal with was the massive jump in paparazzi news like that would cause.

“Thanks, man.” Parker offered the kid a parting shake of his hand. “It was great meeting you.”

“You, too, Mr. Collins.” Trent returned the gesture with gusto.

“Call me Parker.”

“Really?”

He nodded with grin. “Tell you what. You got a phone, Trent?”

“Uh…y-yeah.” The phone appeared almost instantly. “Why?”

“Let’s take a selfie together. Post them on your socials and tag me in them. Might take me a bit, but I promise I’ll respond. And who knows? Maybe some of those dickheads you went to school with will see it and realize you’re a hell of a lot cooler than they’ll ever be.”

“Dude!” The poor kid looked like he was about to burst from his excitement. “That would be freaking awesome!”

After a few quick snaps, Trent had his pictures and what Parker hoped was a great memory to hold onto. For Parker, the unexpected exchange was a well-timed distraction.

Unfortunately, the small respite from his worries didn’t last long.

Pulling away from the curb, Parker began the two-hour drive—or with him behind the wheel, more like an hour-and-a-half—from Richmond to his beach house in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland. As he passed familiar landmarks and crossed over bridges, he was reminded of the phone call he’d received the last time he’d made this same drive…and the woman who had made it.

Come on, Jinx. Let me know you’re okay, sweetheart. Just pick up the phone and let me hear that sexy voice of yours.

Even as he thought it, Parker feared he’d never hear the enticing rasp of Jinx’s voice again. And suddenly, that scared him more than the thought of waking up tomorrow without a penny to his name.

I’d give it all away if it meant finding you and knowing you’re safe.

It was crazy. Certifuckingfiable, even. Because honestly, Sydnee could be right. Jinx could be a criminal. A scammer who used innocent people to make a quick buck. Or worse…

Maybe Jinx had known who he was all along.

He’d taken every known precaution to keep that from happening, but very few things in life were a true impossibility. She’d sure been able to outsmart him when it came to trying to track her down.

Parker’s gut tightened as he thought back to that last conversation…

You give anymore thought to my proposal?

“To meet IRL, you mean? I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

Was that it? It made sense, in a way. After all, things had been going just fine until he brought up the idea of meeting face-to-face. Had he scared her off because doing so would ruin her plan?

He let that roll through his head for the next handful of miles. But the more ground his expensive-as-fuck tires crossed, the guiltier Parker felt.

Jinx wasn’t a criminal. She wasn’t a scammer. She was a sweet, sassy woman with a shit ton of secrets who needed his help. But unless she reached out, Parker feared she’d be lost to him forever.

Come on, sweetheart. Whatever it is, I can help you. All you have to do is ask.

2

“Have a nice day.”

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