Chapter 4

Ruby tried not to stare, but…wow. Parker’s chest wasn’t hairy like a lot of men, and she couldn’t help but wish the table didn’t cover up the abs she caught a glimpse of as he sat down.

“You okay?” Parker asked, not bothering to hide his smile as he ate.

“Of course,” Ruby mumbled and she forced a bite of enchilada into her mouth. “The view is much better now, thank you.” She paused, realizing what she had just said. “I meant the smell. The smell is much better now—you don’t stink anymore.”

Parker’s eyes danced and he took a drink before leaning back in his chair, his hands behind his head, and a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. Ruby tried not to notice how his muscles rippled. “What a nice thing to tell your guest and longtime friend—that they don’t stink anymore.”

“You’re welcome,” Ruby said. “Besides, we were never friends.”

Parker’s smirk disappeared and he straightened up, his whole body now rigid. “Yes, well, you’ve made that very clear.”

“It wasn’t just me,” Ruby said, feeling defensive.

“So, you’re saying that you aren’t the one who stood me up?” Parker asked, before shoving a spoonful of rice into his mouth.

“I made a mistake,” Ruby said. “But when I tried explaining, you wouldn’t listen to me. In fact, you never talked to me again. Not until—”

“The bakery,” Parker finished.

Ruby nodded.

“So…where is your boyfriend tonight?” Parker asked, abruptly changing the subject. “Is your knight in shining armor going to burst through that door and find a shirtless man having dinner with the love of his life?”

“Boyfriend?” Where would he have gotten that idea? “Yeah, I don’t have one of those.”

“Thought so,” Parker mumbled.

“Excuse me?”

“Why didn’t you show up at the movie theater?” Parker asked. “I waited for the entire length of the movie. I watched everyone go in, and I didn’t leave until I watched everyone come out.”

“I—” Ruby couldn’t tell Parker that she’d accidentally double-booked the night and had been at a debate competition, rather than with him. Or that she had gotten so caught up in preparing for it that she had completely forgotten about their date. She had felt so bad about it when she had woken up the next morning and realized what she’d done. She’d tried to apologize, but he hadn’t let her get one word out before he’d turned his back on her. Of course, he had told all his friends about what had happened, and it wasn’t long before everyone else knew too. She had gotten a lot of dirty looks after that, everyone telling her Parker was too good for her.

“That’s what I thought,” Parker said.

“I had told you it would be better to wait for the weekend, but you insisted on going out on a school night,” Ruby said. Her voice softened. “You should have waited.”

Parker stood, his plate now clean. His abs taunted her, the muscles toned and tightened, mocking her with what she had missed out on. “I couldn’t wait, Ruby. I liked you too much. Waiting another three days would have been torture, or so I thought.” He paused. “I’m glad I didn’t wait for the weekend. I might never have known the truth if I had.”

Guilt dropped on Ruby like an anvil. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t know—”

“It doesn’t matter,” Parker said. He walked toward the front door, then glanced at Ruby. “Thanks for dinner. And for reminding me why I stopped talking to you in the first place.”

“Wait,” Ruby called after him, but Parker walked out and closed the door behind him. “You forgot your shirt,” she said softly.

* * * * *

What was it about Ruby that drove Parker nuts? Sure, her perfectionist tendencies were annoying, but there was something else about her that made him want to do everything in his power to drive her as crazy as she drove him. Maybe it was because she was beautiful and amazing, and it was still never enough. Why couldn’t Ruby see that she was one of the lucky ones?

Parker felt a slight chill and looked down. Oh right. He wasn’t wearing a shirt. Seeing Ruby’s face when he walked out, though? Totally worth it.

He unlocked his car and was about to get in when tires squealed in front of the house. He glanced back and saw a car parked haphazardly on the street. Sam jumped out of the car and ran around to open the passenger door. As his very pregnant wife stepped out, her gaze landed on Parker and her eyes widened.

Sam turned, and his jaw dropped. “Do I want to know why you are leaving my sister’s house without a shirt on?”

“No,” Parker said, not in the mood to be grilled by the mayor of Amor. He got in the car, but before he had the chance to back out, there was a rap on the window. Sam stood there, motioning for Parker to lower the window. With a sigh, he complied.

“I’m sorry we are late. Katie gets these cravings that we can’t ignore,” Sam said with a laugh. “She had to have these homemade donuts that they only sell at the farmer’s market. We brought some for dessert, if you want to come in for a little longer.”

Parker hesitated. After the things he’d just said to Ruby, he doubted he would be welcome. He glanced toward the house. “Honestly, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“We all make mistakes,” Katie said. Parker hadn’t seen her approach, but she now stood next to Sam, his arm around her waist. “I’ve done much worse than you could have, so you can’t tell me that you’re skipping out on dessert because of—” She waved a hand at his bare chest. “Well, whatever happened in there.”

Parker sat a moment before turning off the ignition. “She said I wore too much cologne,” he said as he stepped out. “There was only one way to rectify the problem.”

Katie laughed. “You don’t have to explain anything to us.”

Sam looked Parker over. “Actually, he does.”

Parker’s face burned with embarrassment under Sam’s scrutiny. “Maybe I should come over for dessert another time.”

“Sam,” Katie chided, swatting her husband on the arm.

Sam chuckled. “Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.” He then took Katie’s hand and they walked up to the house, not bothering to knock before entering.

Parker followed, but purposely slowed his steps as he entered the house behind Sam.

“Well, look who decided to show up,” Ruby said. “I figured you’d ditched me.”

“We thought about it,” Sam teased. “But then we realized we didn’t want to miss out on any of the awkward fun.” He paused and looked pointedly back at Parker. “Although, it looks like we’ve already missed a whole lot more than we anticipated.”

Ruby paled when she saw Parker in the doorway, and he wished he hadn’t thrown his shirt into the washing machine. How long until the cycle was finished? Parker had taken off his shirt to get a reaction—which he had, and a good one too—but now? The moment had passed and he was left feeling exposed in front of Ruby’s family.

“I just came back for my shirt,” Parker mumbled.

“And donuts,” Katie chimed in. “You can’t forget about the donuts.”

“Yes, and the donuts.”

Ruby stared for a moment, then looked down at the floor. “I put your shirt in the dryer a moment ago, but I’m sure it’s still wet.”

“I don’t mind wearing it,” Parker said. It wouldn’t have mattered if someone had thrown his shirt in red punch, he would have still worn it, just to be able to get out of there.

“Okay, I’ll go grab it,” Ruby said, seeming just as anxious as Parker to put an end to the night.

“You can’t make the man go home dripping wet, especially when it was your fault in the first place,” Sam chided.

Ruby glared at Sam, but her eyes flickered to Parker, like she blamed him for telling on her. “And what do you suggest, giving him one of my shirts to wear?” Ruby asked.

“No need,” Sam said. “I have one in the car he can wear for the time being.” He left to grab it before Ruby could protest.

“I’m going to go do…stuff…in the kitchen,” Katie said, grabbing the bag of donuts, leaving Parker and Ruby standing awkwardly in the entryway.

“You told my brother it was my fault you’re walking around shirtless?” Ruby asked, turning on Parker.

“Better than the alternative,” Parker said with a grin. Now that Sam and Katie weren’t there, Parker felt like he could relax a bit.

“And what would the alternative be?” Ruby asked, a hand on her hip.

Parker took two large steps toward Ruby, so he stood only inches from her. He noticed Ruby’s gaze had instinctively dropped to his bare chest, but then she forced her gaze up. “You really want to know?” he asked.

Ruby’s eyes widened and she stepped back. “You haven’t changed at all, have you? You’re still the obnoxious, arrogant guy I knew in high school.” She shook her head. “Why are you even in Amor?”

“Why shouldn’t I be? My family still lives here,” Parker said, but he felt a prick of guilt. He knew it had been a long time since he’d been back in Amor, and he only called on special occasions.

“From what I hear, you went away to a fancy school, started up your own fancy business, and had no need to come back and visit us small-town folk,” Ruby said, folding her arms. “I bet I know your six brothers and sisters better than you do.”

Anger surged through Parker. Ruby still thought she was so much better than him after all these years. This was the reason he’d moved out of Amor in the first place—too many small minds cooped up in one place. “You don’t know anything,” Parker growled.

Ruby narrowed her eyes, but whatever she was about to say was cut off when Sam walked in the front door, holding a bright pink shirt.

“Sorry,” Sam said, looking genuinely apologetic. “I thought I had left my gym bag in the car, but this was the only shirt I could find.” He held it up. It said Little Dumpling Daycare across the front.

“I appreciate it,” Parker said, “but I forgot I promised someone I would do something with them tonight.”

“That’s…vague,” Sam said.

“Anyway, thanks again for dinner. It was delicious,” Parker said. Before he could leave, Katie walked out of the kitchen with a plate piled high with donuts.

“You’re leaving already?” Katie asked, though from the look on her face, she had heard the entire conversation. “At least take a donut for the road.”

Parker smiled, though he felt self-conscious as he walked over to Katie, very aware of still being half-naked. “Thank you for your hospitality,” he told Katie as he took a donut. “I’ll have to return the favor before I leave Amor.” He had no intention of inviting the mayor and his wife over for dinner, considering how well the evening had gone. But it was what people said to be polite, right?

“How long will you be in town?” Katie asked.

“Probably just another few days,” Parker said.

“That’s long enough,” Katie said with a smile.

The way she said it made Parker uneasy. And as he turned away, he saw Katie wink at Ruby.

Parker waved goodbye and hurried out the front door. The cool night air swept across his bare skin. Crap. He had forgotten his shirt again. Parker jumped into his car, no longer caring. Ruby could keep the shirt as a memento, because if he had his way, he would never see Ruby Freedman again.