Somebody to Love(36)

So why was he lying in bed, thinking about her? Because he was an idiot, that was why.

The water shut off. James surmised that if he leaped out of bed at this very second, he could probably catch her in her towel. But no, she was quick. The bathroom door opened; her bedroom door closed. He rolled out of his own bed and pulled on some jeans and a T-shirt and went into the kitchen.

A few minutes later, Parker joined him, the little dog slinking at her calves. “Hey,” she said. “I have to run, but I poured boiling water over these mugs last night and washed them three times.” She glanced at him, not quite meeting his eyes. “And luckily, I brought my Keurig, so there’s coffee if you want it.”

“Good morning,” he said.

Her ears went red. “Hi. Sleep well?”

“I did. You?”

“Yes, thank you.” She cleared her throat. “I’m meeting my cousin this morning at the diner. Should I bring something back for you?”

“That’d be great.”

She nodded, pulled her wet hair into a ponytail. “So you really think we can get this place up and running by the time Nicky gets back East?”

“Yeah, definitely,” he said. So long as he worked twenty hours a day or so. “It won’t be what he’s used to, but it’ll be livable.”

“He won’t care. He’ll be so excited about the dog. And the ocean, too. He swims like a fish.” She paused. “As you know.”

“This water’s too cold for swimming,” James said. “It’s not like Rhode Island.”

“Well, he’s five. Hypothermia only deters adults.” She smiled a little, then grew somber. “I was thinking last night about how to pay you,” she began.

How about in sex? You could pay me in sex, most definitely. “You don’t have to pay me.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Of course I do.”

Right. The help must be paid. “Your father already took care of it,” he lied. “Now, get to the diner. Don’t you have someone waiting for you?”

“Yes. Um, I guess I’ll leave the dog here?”

“Sure,” he said. “We can bond.”

“Good luck with that.” Her smile hit him in the chest like a line drive.

Three weeks together before her kid came up. Three weeks alone with Parker Harrington Welles. He didn’t know whether to laugh or shoot himself.

* * *

TO PARKER’S SURPRISE, Joe’s Diner was mobbed; for such a tiny town, she wouldn’t have guessed there’d be a line. Then again, it was the only place in town, from what she’d seen yesterday. The smell of dark-roasted coffee and bacon greeted her, practically making her knees buckle. That pizza last night hadn’t been anything to write home about…and then again, there was James watching her, which was proving to be quite uncomfortable.

All that work he did—for her—well, Harry was paying him, but still, that smile of his brought up some very conflicted memories.

Because you were slutty, chided Golly.

“You have a point,” Parker said.

“Morning,” said a rough voice, making her jump.

Oh, yes. This was more like it. Fling Material. The guy with one name. Malone, that was it, in all his blue-collar glory. “Hi,” she said. “Hi again. Great to see you. How are you? Malone, right? You were very, um, helpful the other night.”

He stared at her. Not smiling. A little scary, even. Parker swallowed and tried again. “So, Malone, I think I owe you a drink, since you straightened me out on my little property issue and all. Which I can’t say I appreciate, really. I would’ve much preferred the first house.”

So out of practice on this boy-girl stuff.

Maybe it’s not so bad, Spike commented. He’s smiling.

It was true. A little, anyway. “You going in?” he asked.

“Yes, yes.” Parker pushed through the door of the little diner and turned back to Malone. “Um, I’m meeting my cousin Lavinia Harrington. I don’t suppose you know her, do you?”

“Last booth on the left.” He nodded, then turned as someone slapped him on the shoulder.

Last booth on the left. A woman—or possibly a man—sat there, studying the menu. She looked up as Parker approached. “Pahkah?” Lavinia Harrington looked like she sounded—somewhat ravaged. Deep, leathery face framed with frizzy white hair.

“Hi,” Parker said, squeezing past a buxom woman holding a baby. “It’s really nice to—”

“Hurry it up, girl. Sit down.”

Parker obeyed, sliding into the red vinyl seat. “So, you’re Lavinia,” she began. “I’m not one-hundred-percent sure how we’re related, to tell you the truth.”

“Could you hush up for a few? There’s a surprise planned.”

“Oh. Sorry.” Rather a strange welcome. She looked around at the diner, which was gleaming and adorable, like a piece of Norman Rockwell. Every seat was filled—families in booths, people sitting at the counter, babies, toddlers, old folks— Oh, hey, there were the Three Musketeers from the hardware store yesterday. She waved, but they didn’t see her.

At the counter directly across from Parker’s booth was the stacked woman and her baby, who was dressed in blue. Six months, Parker guessed, all drool and smiles. God, Nicky had been so cute at that age! The mother wore a low-cut blouse, and a young guy next to her stared appreciatively at her wares. Aside from him, everyone seemed to be looking out the window and murmuring excitedly.