Safari Island Shifters: The Complete Collection(58)

His cheetah was telling him that it was because she was his mate, but Parker didn’t want to hear that. Not right now. He was fresh off a breakup and feeling vulnerable. He couldn’t get started with someone new so soon, even though his cheetah was telling him this was it.

Idiot that he was, he had taken her home that night and then didn’t see her again before she left the island.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

It was still three months until the wedding, and she would be back on the island in September. He learned from Parker that she was going to be the chef-in-residence at Blue Ridge for at least September through November. That was a long time away but he would wait. Maybe if he was lucky, she would too.

*

Parker was nervous. It was four days until the wedding, and Clementine was back in town. This time she was with her mom/manager/agent, Bunny Blue. He had a feeling Bunny was going to be a little less friendly than Polly had been. He hadn’t seen Clem since their night together but they’d been emailing the last two months.

He’d had to contact her about a change to the menu and they’d kept it up. Nothing major, but it was nice to stay in contact with her. They emailed each other two or three times a week. It was enough for him to know that she was still single. He couldn’t tell her mood from emails, but she seemed to still be into him. Or at least she wasn’t mad about how he had let things end between them.

Bunny and Clem were meeting him at Wild Eats for dinner. He had extended the invitation for their first night on the island.

He spotted Clem as soon as she walked through the door wearing a chic turquoise dress. Bunny looked like a slightly older version of Clem. They had great genes in that family, he thought. It was something his cheetah had definitely taken note of. If they had cubs, hopefully they would get Clem’s gorgeous looks.

“Hi.” Parker extended his hand to Clem, who shook it solemnly before dissolving into giggles.

She pulled him in for a big hug. “Hey. Parker, this is my mom, Bunny. Mom, this is Parker Travers.”

“Nice to meet you.” Bunny shook his hand.

Although she was smiling, he could tell she didn’t think it was so nice to meet him at all. He had tried to snake a job away from her daughter/client. She had every reason not to like him.

“Great to meet you too, Mrs. Blue.” He gave her his most winning smile and then pulled out her chair for her. Once she was pushed into the table, he held out Clem’s chair. “Would you like some wine?”

Clem pushed her glass toward him, but Bunny shook her head. He poured a glass for himself and Clem before sitting down. He hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol ever since his encounter with Clem. He was letting himself have half a glass tonight to calm his nerves and not a drop more.

“So, you work here at Wild Eats?” Bunny asked.

“I do. I’m the head chef.”

“He did the whole remodel this year,” Clem told her mother proudly.

“Did he?” Bunny said, looking at her menu with a bored expression. “I hope they give you as much freedom when you start in the fall.”

“She’ll be treated great,” Parker said. “She’s going to be the big name on the island now. They won’t do a thing to piss her off. Whatever Clementine wants, she’ll get.”

“You think she’s the big name now?” Bunny squinted at him. “You’re Parker Travers. I’ve looked you up. You have restaurants all over the world. There’s no way my little upstart is a bigger name than you.”

“I’m old news. She’s new. I don’t need to flatter myself. I know the pecking order beginning this fall.”

Bunny looked from Clem to Parker. She slammed her menu shut and crossed her arms. “I wasn’t born yesterday, mister. I know what’s going on here.”

“What’s going on?” Parker asked innocently.

“You’re trying to butter me up.” Bunny declared. “I know an ass-kissing when I hear one. My only question is, why in the world would you be puckering up to me?”

Parker considered his words carefully. “I like your daughter, Mrs. Blue. I like her a lot. I think we could have a future, and that isn’t going to be possible if you don’t like me.”

Bunny grinned at him. “Well, now, look at that. An honest answer.”

Clem was blushing bright red. “Ma, you’re embarrassing me again. Leave it be.”

“I just inquired as to why Mr. Travers was kissing up to me.” Bunny zipped her lips shut. “Not another word on that front from me the rest of the night. Let’s talk business.”

“That I can handle.” Parker mimed wiping his brow. “I was worried you were going to grill me all night.”

“Not a chance,” Bunny said. “We have a wedding to plan. Not that I don’t plan on grilling the hell out of you after that’s all done.”

Parker smiled. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

***

Clem couldn’t believe her ears. Parker liked her. He more than liked her; he thought they could have a future together.

This was the first she’d heard about said future. They’d been talking for the last few months, but it had always seemed friendly and nothing more. Now he was telling her mama that he wanted to get serious with her.

Not that she was going to say no. She just would have liked to have more warning about it, was all. She liked him too. She’d been miserable since she’d left the island and gone home with Polly. According to her softhearted cousin, Clementine was missing her mate. Which sounded like a big crock, but the thought had been nagging at her more and more. She needed answers.