“Hey Abbey, you okay there? You seem like you’ve seen a monster.”

Rattling. Drew seen.

I shrug it off with a large smile. “Yep, simply fascinated by ice cream and the way the stroll to the nook retailer is simply too far for my legs to journey as we speak,” I lie.

He provides me a skeptical look, however identical to Rosie, Drew doesn’t push it.

“Effectively, okay. I’m going to run up and provides these samples to Rosie.” He glances over his shoulder. “Be proper again, Parks. I gained’t be lengthy since we’ve to satisfy Ty and Jasper quickly.” As Drew passes me, he squeezes my hand. “See ya later, Abbey.”

Placing on my greatest smile, I say, “Yeah, see ya.” I hear the door to the constructing shut behind me. Once I look again up, my eyes meet Parker’s. Neither of us says something for an extended minute. His gaze is an excessive amount of. Too intense. I pressure my eyes away and start transferring ahead, away from this uncomfortable state of affairs.

Sadly, I’ve no alternative however to stroll previous him. As I do, I concentrate on watching my ft transfer in excellent unison. Not on him. Till all of a sudden I really feel a big, sturdy hand wrap firmly however gently round my wrist.

I cease mid-stride however maintain my consideration downward.

“Abbey, please,” his voice sounds stuffed with weak emotion. “Please take a look at me.”

Thrown off by the vulnerability I hear in his voice, I look over my shoulder at Parker’s stunning face. A face with a quiet vulnerability to it. I’ll most probably remorse this later. His lips are turned down barely on the corners, and his eyes are pleading with me for one thing we each know I can’t give him. He’s so exhausting for me to withstand. My insides flip the other way up, and I really feel off stability.

Taking a deep breath, I achieve my composure earlier than saying, “Parker…”

He interrupts me. “Abbey let’s simply start once more. I do know I used to be an asshole the opposite night time. I don’t even know why, besides you simply do one thing to me. I can admit that a lot, even when I can’t admit what all of it means. Let’s simply begin over. Please.” I watch him intently. He’s truly being critical, however can we even be pals at this level?

He’s ready for my response, and I simply proceed to stare at him for what looks like hours, however, in actuality, it is just a few seconds.

With out considering an excessive amount of extra, I lengthen my hand out towards him. Avoidance. I can do that. “Howdy, I’m Abbey. You have to be Parker.”

His look immediately transforms from one among hopeful anticipation into one among pleasure. It’s paying homage to the night time we met and why we ended up within the place we’re in, so I shortly shake off my emotions. Parker takes my supplied hand in his and follows my lead.

“I’m. The one and solely. It’s good to lastly meet you, Abbey. Rosie and Drew discuss you on a regular basis,” our arms nonetheless interlocked as a result of neither one among us needs to let go. Once I understand this, I shortly pull my hand away.

“Uh, yeah. So, I assume we might be seeing each other,” I proceed. “I higher get going. I’ve to select up a much-needed wedding ceremony planning important.” I smile as I again away.

“Oh, actually, and what’s that?” He smirks, pushing his arms into the entrance pockets of his denims.

I give him a mock appalled look. “Chunky Monkey, after all. I can’t consider you even needed to ask.” He grins from ear to ear, and I can’t assist however reciprocate the sentiment. “Effectively, Parker, I actually ought to get going. I’ve obtained to get the ice cream and get again right here earlier than Rosie turns right into a bridezilla.” I grin earlier than persevering with, “It was very nice assembly you.” Shortly, I flip and head within the course of the nook retailer. I can really feel him watching me, and I attempt to ignore the feeling it creates inside me.

A number of seconds move after I hear a shout, “Hey, Abbey!” I cease and reluctantly look again. Parker remains to be beaming. “It was very nice assembly you, too.” I can’t assist the smile that creeps throughout my face. Shaking my head, I flip and proceed my mission to get Chunky Monkey.

I can’t clarify it, however this feels good. I really feel in management once more. I’m undecided why it took Parker acknowledging there’s something between us that he’s not prepared to look at to alleviate my emotions, nevertheless it did. Possibly it’s as a result of I used to be feeling the identical, and now, we are able to each sweep it below the carpet, so to talk.Stop mendacity to your self,my ideas echo.

Rattling it, who am I kidding? I simply let myself see him as greater than a one-night stand. Greater than Drew’s brother. Greater than the one man who stirred emotions in me that I’ve spent years burying.

This simply would possibly blow up in my face. The door Parker simply cracked open slammed shut once more.

Eight

PARKER

Iwatch her stroll away, and it looks like an enormous weight has been lifted from my chest. I really feel higher. Extra accountable for my feelings, and that’s exactly the place I have to be proper now, particularly with regards to Abbey. For my sake. For her sake. And most significantly, for Drew and Rosie’s sake. If I stayed on this curler coaster of lust and attraction, I’d ultimately screw it up. When that occurs, I’d get harm, Abbey would get harm, after which it could put Drew and Rosie in an ungainly predicament.

“Yo, bro, a penny to your ideas.” Drew’s voice breaks in from behind me.

Reluctantly, I flip my consideration to my brother, who’s standing along with his arms on his hips, watching me curiously. He tilts his head to 1 aspect, his eyes squinting barely on the corners as if he’s attempting to determine all of my deepest, darkest secrets and techniques.

Giving him my signature smirk, I shake my head. “Simply considering how one little factor can wreak havoc in your world with out even a tiny little bit of warning.” My phrases solely confuse him extra as he turns his head within the course of my gaze. Within the distance, Abbey walks across the nook and disappears. Earlier than he can say a phrase, I proceed, “Let’s get going. We now have to satisfy our annoying little brothers in ten.”

As we get within the automotive, Drew watches me, and I hear him say, “Hmm, okay.”

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