All I've Never Wanted(73)

“Ok, fine. Your father and I entered a contest here at the inn and we ended up getting an extra two weeks’ stay here for free!”

“What?” I exclaimed, then quickly lowered my voice. “What?” I repeated.

I could practically see my mom fretting over the phone. “I know, dear, it’s a bit…unexpected, but it’s a wonderful opportunity. Of course, if you don’t want to stay there for an extra two weeks, that’s fine, we’ll come back—“

“No, no.” I shook my head, trying to process the information. “I mean, it’s great, it really is. But what about work?”

“We both have enough vacation days accumulated to fit an extra two weeks into our schedule.”

“Oh.” I was a bit disappointed I wouldn’t be able to see my mom for longer than I’d thought, but I was happy she was having fun, I really was. Besides, I didn’t really want to face my dad anytime soon anyway. “You should stay, mom. Don’t worry about me. I’m having a lot of fun at, uh, Adriana’s house.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, mom,” I replied. “Really. Enjoy your time there.”

“Ok.” She sounded both worried and happy. “If you need anything, you have all the emergency numbers, right?”

“Yep.” A knock sounded on my door, and I frowned, wondering who it was. “I have to go right now, but I’ll talk to you later, ok? Love you.”


“I love you too, sweetie. And your father says hi.”

Right. “Bye.” I didn’t acknowledge her last statement.

I hung up and called out, “Come in!”

When I saw Parker stride in, I couldn’t help but smirk at the pink polo he was wearing.

“You look like such a prep,” I said dryly, eyeing the signature Lacoste alligator on the front of his shirt.

“What? Not even a hello kiss from my girlfriend? You really do have a thing with Carlo,” Parker joked, dropping down on the bed next to me and draping an arm over my shoulder.

“Yeah, sorry I forgot to tell you, but I decided things just aren’t going to work out between us,” I teased. “So what’s up? Are you here to visit Roman?”

“Not really.” He dropped his arm from my shoulder as a more serious expression came over his face. “I’m here to see you actually.”

I tilted my head curiously. “Ok…”

“Well, you know how we started dating because you basically forced me into it to get your grandmother off your back?”

I rolled my eyes. “Gee, thanks for making it sound like I tortured you or something.”

Parker smiled sheepishly. “Sorry, but you know what I mean. Anyway, now that she’s gone, we technically don’t have to pretend anymore…”

I had a feeling I knew where this was going. “Uh-huh…” I dragged out the last syllable, prompting him to continue.

He cleared his throat. “Well, I wasjustwonderingifperhapswe couldstoppretending?” He asked in a rush. “I mean, it’s not that I don’t like you or anything. I really do. You’re so hot, I would totally do you, especially if you wore that lingerie—“

“Parker!” I held up a hand. “Stay on track.”

“Right. Sorry. Anyway, like I said, I really do like you, and it’s kind of an assholish thing for me to do, what with homecoming next week and all, but…er, I think it’s best if we told everyone the truth, you know?”

“Ok.”

“I’m sorry! I really—wait, ok?” He blinked at me.

I smiled in amusement at his face, resisting the urge to pinch his cheeks. He looked so cute with that dumbfounded expression replacing his usual smirk. “Yes, ok. What, did you think I was going to slap you or something? You did me a favor, for which I’m incredibly thankful, but you’re right. We should tell them the truth soon.”

Relief washed across Parker’s handsome features. “Oh, thank god.” He groaned, flopping down on my bed. “You have no idea how nervous I was all afternoon!”

“You, nervous?” I playfully poked him in the stomach. “Darn it, I should’ve made you squirm.”

“But you didn’t, because you’re such a nice person,” he said happily. “You’re the best, Maya.”

“I know,” I joked. “So who is she?”

Parker shot up so fast I was surprised he didn’t sprain anything. “What do you mean?” His cheeks turned red.

I snickered. “Who’s the girl you want to ask to homecoming? That’s the reason why you don’t want to fake date me anymore, right?”

He turned even redder. “No one! I mean, no one,” he repeated in a lower voice. “I just…it didn’t feel right, lying to my friends like that.”

“Sure.” I didn’t really believe him. “Oh, hey, what’s the big gift you guys are planning for Adri anyway? Carlo won’t tell me, which sucks, because I’m supposed to be part of it.”

“You’ll see. And don’t worry about it.”

I groaned. “Why does everyone tell me that?”

Suddenly, I realized something. The flush on Parker’s face seemed to have deepened a bit at the mention of a certain someone’s name, and my eyes widened in realization. No way. He did not have a crush on—