Sweet Liar (Candy #2)(76)

“Maybe it’s a good thing. It’ll take your mind off other stuff.”

“Great,” I muttered as I texted her back, asking if I could stop by now. When she responded, I gave Jonah a sidelong glance. “Lea says there are already a bunch of people at her place. The more the merrier.” I cleared my throat. “Maybe you can come back and get me in an hour?”

He laughed. “What I have to do may take a little longer than that.”

Even though I’d known Lea for a while, I’d never been to her house. Both Jonah and I knew she lived near us, but when Jonah stopped in front of the address Lea sent, both our jaws dropped. Lea’s house made the Parkers’ Tudor look like a dollhouse. It was a sprawling stone-and-brick structure with turrets and balconies. A stone wall with a wrought-iron gate lined the road leading up to it.

“No wonder Ethan thinks he has no shot with her. Look at this place,” Jonah said as we pulled into the long driveway that was already filled with cars.

“I thought I was here to plan a party, not go to one.”

When Jonah stopped at the front entrance with its huge double doors trimmed in wrought iron with frosted glass inserts, Parker stepped out, took note of us, wrinkled her nose, and kept walking toward her car. But she wasn’t leaving as I’d hoped. She retrieved a brown paper bag from her trunk and ignored us as she walked back inside.

“This is gonna be fun,” I muttered. “Are you sure I can’t come with you?”

He reached over and spread his hand over my thigh. “If I can’t be with you, it’s better that you’re here, surrounded by people. Like I said, my father has friends who are loyal to him.”

His hand squeezed my thigh and his gaze zeroed in on mine. We weren’t a couple. We didn’t do hello and good-bye kisses, but I knew he was about to change that.

Leaning toward me, his lips brushed mine. Usually I let him direct our kisses, but this time I opened my mouth first, and the kiss got deeper, wetter, and had a desperation to it that I knew was all mine. My hands fisted in his hair as I pushed my body into his. He grunted in surprise before his hands dug into my skin, holding me tighter.

“Please be careful,” I whispered as I forced myself to pull away first, feeling my cheeks heat at how hard I’d kissed him. Before he could see, I jumped out of the Jeep and jogged into Lea’s house.





“Smile!” Lea giggled and snapped a selfie with me.

I recognized most of the people from school, even though I didn’t know exactly who they were. “I thought we were planning a party, but it looks to me like it’s already happening.”

Lea shrugged. “Parker invited everyone. Whatever. It’s fine. Come meet Gregory.” She dragged me toward a tall guy slouching in the corner, talking to another guy I didn’t know.

“Gregory, this is my friend Candy.”

Gregory gave me the I’m a cool guy chin lift, and so did his friend.

“Talkative,” I commented as we walked away.

Shrugging, Lea laughed it off. “So, how was Christmas? I can’t believe the way you go MIA all the time. I’m not taking it personally, but not answering your texts is rude, just so you know.”

“Sorry, but sometimes texts are interrupting real-life conversations, and even though it’s a text, it’s rude of you to interrupt me.”

Her forehead wrinkled. “But if I’m texting you, how am I supposed to know I’m interrupting?”

I shrugged. “My not texting you back might be a clue.”

“You’re being weird,” she said, narrowing her eyes at me.

“I know.” I sighed. “So, what’s up with Parker?”

Lea’s eyes widened. “You haven’t heard? Her folks split up. Her dad had an affair or something. Don’t say anything, because she doesn’t want to talk about it. She’s drinking a little too much, though, and acting like the life of the party, pretending everything is great. I think she’s in denial.”

So her mom finally found out. I dug deep, trying to decide if I felt any sympathy for Parker. Maybe I did, but only a little.

“Go ahead and get a drink, if you want. My folks are gone all weekend, so I guess New Year’s is starting a little early.” She grinned, snapped another picture of us together, and threaded her way out of the room.

I looked around for Malcolm and Ethan, but didn’t see them. Instead, I spotted Parker coming out of the bathroom with puffy red eyes, mascara running down her cheeks, and a scowl on her lips.

“Excuse me,” she said as she tried to push past me.

“Wait a minute.” I grabbed her by the arm and dragged her back into the bathroom. When she tried to pull away, I turned her toward the mirror. “You’re a mess. I thought you might want to clean up before anyone sees you like this.”

Parker blinked at her reflection and muttered “shit” under her breath. With a sideways glance at me, she grabbed some tissues and wiped at her face, but all she did was make things worse.

She was drunk. Her movements were uncoordinated, and I could smell the alcohol on her. I had to admit, seeing Parker this way tugged at me. I felt more than a little sympathy. “Sit down and let me help you.” I pointed to the closed toilet seat.

She eyed me suspiciously. “Why?”