All I've Never Wanted(27)

“Thanks.” His tone was wry. “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”

“You’re welcome.” I smiled sweetly. I couldn’t believe I was actually entertained by my conversation with Parker, but I was. “Oh, actually, you can let me off right here.”

“Here?” Parker blinked. “But we’re not at your house yet. We’re at a daycare center.” As if on cue, a ponytailed girl who was obviously a nanny walked out with a pair of adorable but fudge-covered twins in tow. “Is there something you forgot to tell everyone?”

“No!” I rolled my eyes. “I’m only seventeen! But…I just don’t want my parents asking questions about who you are and stuff. It’s been a long day.”

He shrugged. “Your wish is my command.” Parker tipped an imaginary hat at me.

I laughed. “Thanks for the ride,” I said almost shyly. Then I smirked. “But you’re never getting into my pants. Or skirt.”

With that, I slammed the door shut, but not before Parker’s laugh made its way into my ears.

When I arrived at my house, I wasn’t surprised to see my mom’s car out front. She’d probably just picked up my grandmother from the airport.

Taking a deep breath, I slowly opened the door and entered the living room.

I immediately saw my grandmother sitting on the couch, wearing a pair of gray pants and a black Mao-style shirt with red flowers that buttoned up her neck.

My mom fluttered nervously around her, looking jittery. She’d obviously consumed even more coffee than usual in preparation for this visit. “Oh, good Maya, you’re home.” She sounded massively relieved, which was far from how I felt.

“Maya, let me look at you,” my grandmother said with a heavy Asian accent, standing up and eyeing me critically from head to toe. “You gain weight? Your butt so big.”

My face turned beet red. “No, grandma. I didn't gain weight. How was your flight?” I asked, trying to deflect the attention from my butt.

“Good, good. Come, I show you something.” She pulled me over to the couch and pushed a stack of pictures into my lap.

She was never was one for formal greetings.

“I found perfect boy for you,” my grandmother promised, shoving one of the pictures under my nose. “He very good. Will be doctor someday. Going to Harvard, very smart boy.”


I took the picture from her hands and stared down at the skinny, gawky Asian boy wearing a highly unfortunate sweater vest. “Uh…I’m sure he’s very nice, grandma, but he’s not really my type.”

My grandmother snatched the picture and replaced it with one of another Asian boy, this one with a huge grin that showed off a mouth of crooked teeth. He was standing on a pier and holding a giant fish in one hand. “Not best picture, but he very handsome. He want to be lawyer.”

I shook my head.

My grandmother frowned. “You no like Asian boys? Maya, you part Asian!”

“It’s not that I don’t like Asian boys, grandma, it’s just that—“ I shot a desperate, help-me look at my mother.

“Mom, why don’t we let Maya rest for bit?” my mom suggested. “She must be tired from school. And you must be tired, too.”

My grandmother let out an indignant sniff. “I seventy, not ninety! Not tired yet. Maya cannot wait. She seventeen! If she no find boyfriend soon, she will be old maid.” She rummaged through the pile of photos. “If you no like Asians, I have very good-looking white boy. He looks a bit like, what is his name? Ah, Carrot Top? But he will be good hus—“

“No!” I nearly shouted.

“What you mean, no?” My grandmother looked highly insulted.

“Uh, I mean, no, I don’t need to meet any of the boys because…um…” I gulped. “Uh…I already have a boyfriend!”

“You do?” My mom and grandmother chorused.

I gave my mom another look. “Uh…yeah. We’ve been dating for…for a month!”

“Really?” My grandmother narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “What’s his name?”

“Um…it’s…uh…”

At that moment, the doorbell rang, and I nearly shot out of my seat. Saved by the bell! “I’ll get it!” With that, I ran to the door and yanked it open. I blinked. “Parker?”

“Hey.” He gave me another one of those devastating grins. “You forgot this.” He held up my blazer.

I had completely forgotten about that. “Oh, thanks,” I breathed, taking the jacket from him. “You didn’t have to come all the way here to bring this to me.”

“I was already pretty close, remember?” Parker pushed his shades on top of his head. “Since I was such a gentleman, I think I deserve a dinner date, don’t you?”

I gripped the doorknob tightly. “Parker, this isn’t the best time—“

“Maya? Who’s at the door?”

Crap. “No one, grandma,” I called sweetly. “I—“

Ignoring me, my grandmother came over and nudged me aside. She stared disapprovingly at Parker. “Why you bother my granddaughter?”

“Good afternoon, miss,” Parker said smoothly, not seeming at all fazed. “I just came by to give Maya her jacket back.”