No Regrets (A Stepbrother New Adult Novella)(5)

It was rare that women shot him down. It was even more rare for them to blow him off entirely, and yet, she had done just that. He could see the top of her head as he finished paying for his things. He should just leave her alone, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t make his feet go in the opposite direction once he was in the parking lot. He stopped beside her door as she cranked up her car. Lightly tapping on the window, he watched her scowl as she looked over her adorable glasses at him.

“Can I help you?” She didn’t even try to conceal a frown on her face. It was obvious, she really had no interest in him at all.

“Yes, actually, you can. I need to find Forest Brook Avenue. Can you direct me in the way I need to go?”

“You’re on Forest Brook already. Glad I could help.” She started to roll her window back up, but he stopped her again.

“Listen, I don’t know what I did, aside from my poor judgment in parking, but here’s my number. I’ll take you to dinner and apologize like a gentleman should.” He didn’t say another word, just slipped his number onto her lap before sauntering off.

He could tell she was upset when he heard her peel out of the parking lot. He chuckled to himself—she was definitely not like most women. Truth be told, he found it refreshing. It was good for him to hear ‘no’ from time to time. Besides, he was always up for a challenge.

He pulled out of the store and headed down Forest Brook. He wondered if he would ever see her again. She was definitely someone he wanted to see again. Even now, he smiled at how angry he made her. He glanced over at the mailboxes as he passed them. Where in the world was 2420? He finally saw a yellow mailbox on his right, and quietly pulled in front of the house.

“You have got to be kidding me...” he chuckled under his breath. There, in the driveway, was her car. “Oh, this is going to be fun.” He got out of his car and made his way to the door. This was going to be a very interesting night.

He knocked lightly on the door and it was opened by a lovely woman. She greeted him with a huge smile.

“Hello! You must be Parker!” He was sucked into a hug before he was abruptly let go. “I mean, of course, you’re Parker. I’ve seen your pictures…your father always brags about you, you know? Look at me, rambling on and on about nothing. Come on inside. Liv will be down in a bit. I’m Linda.”


“Liv?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, yes, Liv is my daughter. She’s probably about your age, as well.” She gave him a warm smile as she called out to his Dad, who was in the kitchen.

So, her name is Liv, he smiled to himself. She was going to be upset when she came down those stairs. And he was going to love every minute of this. He walked into the kitchen and then stood open-mouthed at what he saw.

“Dad?” Parker’s eyes grew huge.

Covered in a flowered, ruffled apron, his father was stirring something on the stove. His Dad—an oil tycoon, a billionaire—was wearing an apron and cooking.

“Parker!” The man took off the apron and walked over to him. They hugged before he pulled away. “Look at you! Parker, it seems like it’s been forever, and every time I see you, somehow you look older. Come, come, I want you to formally meet Linda.” They exchanged pleasantries, with the three of them chit-chatting about this and that.

“I made some space for you to sleep in the den, Parker. I hope that’s okay. We just didn’t want you to get a room, or have to drive all the way out to your father's place to sleep since it was getting late already for dinner.”

“I’m sure that’s fine, Linda, and thank you.” Parker gave her a warm smile. She was nice and genuine. Obviously, she was good for his Dad.

“I suppose I should go get Liv. She may be taking a nap after her long drive. And, she also had some kind of run-in at the grocery store.” She rolled her eyes slightly. “You two go ahead and serve, and we’ll be down in just a second.”

“Yes, dear, we’re on it.”

Parker was taken aback by the man that stood in front of him. His father was—well, for lack of a better word—domesticated.

As he helped set the table, he knew he should probably warn his father that the ‘run-in’ Liv had at the store was with him. But, it would be much more fun to watch how this played out. He settled into his seat, biding his time. He heard her voice before she even made it to the bottom of the stairs.

The shock on her face registered first, then her cheeks turned a bright pink.

“What in the hell are you doing here?” She crossed her arms.

Both parents looked at each other, surprised. Parker took the opportunity to rise and extend his hand to her.

“We haven’t been properly introduced. My name is Parker, and it would appear our parents are dating.”

She groaned loudly. “Seriously?” He gave her that half grin again. “Mother, this is the guy from the store.”

Her mother’s mouth formed an ‘O’, and Parker noticed his father frowning at him—yet, Parker still had a gleam in his eye.

“Parker, really?” his Dad asked, shaking his head.

Parker shrugged. “It was an honest mistake, and I apologized.”

“Apologized, ha! Gracing me with your presence while going out for coffee is hardly an apology.” Liv uncrossed her arms.