No Regrets (A Stepbrother New Adult Novella)(21)

He smiled at them. “Looks like I’m going to Paris.”





Chapter Nineteen





Olivia





It was the most beautiful place she’d ever seen. The lights were everywhere, and she smiled as she exited the plane. She was on top of the world, despite her broken heart. The trip was extravagant, to say the least. She flew first class, and now there was someone to drive her to the hotel.

She slid into the luxury car and peered out of the windows, watching one thing after another fly by. Soon, they pulled up in front of the hotel. She checked in and received her key to a suite. As she rode the plush elevator, she smiled.

Tomorrow, she would get pampered, something she never had the luxury to do, but was now a must in the itinerary that was prepared for her. She stepped out of the elevator and right into the room. It was huge, and had floor to ceiling windows along one wall. She saw her luggage neatly stacked in the corner of the bedroom. She walked over to the counter where she found a vase overflowing with flowers and a card, with a bottle of wine.

“We are so proud of you, have fun, and go a little crazy. Love, Mom and Richard.”

She opened the box next to it, and found a Cartier bracelet and a credit card with a note that read,

“Buy whatever you want.”

She felt the tears flow even more now. Aside from the wine—which they didn’t know she couldn’t have—they gave her everything she could have ever asked for, except the one thing that she could never have—Parker. She supposed now was as good a time as any to let herself go. She changed into her most comfortable pajamas, pulled up a chair to the massive windows, and had a good cry.


She put her hand on her stomach. Months, that’s all that was between who she was now, and motherhood. Was she ready for the challenges she would face? She would have to be. She eventually crawled into bed and slept heavily for the first time in weeks.

The sun was shining faintly behind the smattering of clouds in the sky. She woke to the sounds of the hustle and bustle of the city below. She glanced out the window and was surprised at how much activity was going on down on the street. There were vendors and people milling around everywhere. She showered quickly and called for the car. Her first appointment was at 9:00, and she didn’t want to be late. She snatched up the credit card on her way, just in case.




She was exhausted but happy at the end of the day. She went to the spa, then got a haircut, then asked her stylist where to go shopping. That was a dangerous move, of course. The poor credit card got quite a workout, needless to say. But Liv reasoned that she needed a new wardrobe, one suited for a grown-up woman, not a college student, and what was a better place than Paris to shop for clothes? It only dawned on her later that for the next few months, most of the clothes she bought wouldn’t fit, but her mood stayed elevated nevertheless.

When she arrived in her town car back at the hotel, it took two bell boys to help her carry the shopping bags to her suite. She turned to thank them as they were leaving the room, and that’s when she saw him watching her.

“Really, Parker? You scared me to death!” She put her hand to her chest, her heart racing first from fear and then from that infernal hope.

She waited for him to say something, anything, but he simply sat there watching her. She knew he always wanted to be in control. He loved pushing her, but not today. If he wanted to play games, she could play them just as well. She grabbed a bottle of water and walked to the sitting area of the suite.

“Parker, this trip was a gift. Why are you here, and what do you want?” She folded her arms across her chest, waiting.

“You.” It was a simple enough answer, but not the one she was expecting. What is he doing?

With a huff, she walked toward him. “I’m serious, Parker. What do you want?” She stared up at him, trying to read his expression for guilt. But, she saw none.

“So am I, Olivia.” He was brooding over something, but she didn’t know what.

“Dammit, Parker, this isn’t funny.” She frowned at him. He was ruining her chance to relax. He didn’t want her! Why was he here?

“No, Olivia it’s not. Nothing about today was funny, and you running from me was certainly not funny in the least. Come here.” He spoke each word clipped and even, his request more of a demand than a suggestion.

His tone was enough to infuriate her, and she stomped off into the bedroom and slammed the door behind her. Normally, she could have taken time to calm down, but not today. He was behind her in an instant, the door hitting the wall with a loud thump.

She spun around to confront him—this was a side of him she had never seen. She could tell by the look on his face that he was angry and yet she tilted her head up more, almost challenging him.

He was disheveled, and visibly exhausted. He had at least a day’s worth of stubble on his face, and most importantly, he looked angry.

“I came to talk to you, Olivia. The least you can do is listen to me. I asked you nicely.” His eyes roamed over her once, and then back up.

“If you think telling me to ‘come here’ is nice, Parker, you are sadly mistaken. Now. I’m standing here in front of you. Why are you here, Parker? I’m sure you have better things to do and other people you’d rather see?” Her sarcasm didn’t quite hide her underlying sadness.