“Well, Mom. I met this gorgeous guy at Jade’s wedding, and we went to her garden and fucked like rabbits.”
“Parker, stop playing. I’m serious,” her mom said without missing a beat. “Why must you always make light of any question I ask?”
“Sorry, Mom,” she said and picked up a croissant. “Jade’s wedding was beautiful. Why didn’t you go again?”
Her mother raised a blonde brow and stared at Parker, her blue eyes emotionless. “I had a charity dinner to attend. You know I am head of the disabled veterans charity foundation.”
She nodded. That wasn’t one of the ones Parker’s company foundation sponsored. Her mother had her own charities she handled from her own father’s company.
“She’s your niece, Mom. You could’ve skipped the dinner and gone to her wedding.”
“Half niece,” her mother replied and placed three pieces of vegetables and some shrimp and baked fish on her plate.
“So,” her mom smiled conspiratorially. “Liam’s mom said you were having lunch yesterday.”
Parker groaned. “Mom, it’s not gonna happen. Liam is my friend. We aren’t going to suddenly fall in love and get married.”
“It’s been known to happen amongst other friends,” her mother smiled excitedly, as if she hadn’t heard a word out of Parker’s mouth.
“Mom, he’s like a brother to me. That would be…ew.”
“You’re too picky, Parker. You need to settle down already. You’re thirty-five years old and you’re not getting any younger.” Her mom picked her food apart. Cutting everything into tiny bits and then slipped a little bite into her mouth.
Parker frowned at her mom. “Why are you so interested in me getting married, anyway? I have goals and dreams. Even if I did get married,” she thought of Ryan and her heart flipped. “I want to work and keep the foundation going.”
Her mom’s gaze jerked up from her plate. “Have you spoken to your father?”
She sucked in a breath. “Not yet. Why?”
“Nothing, dear. I just think he’d like to see your future husband lead the foundation and the company.”
“What?” Parker gasped. “I’ve been doing everything for this foundation for ten years and even when I was in college I was learning from Grandpa, and you’re telling me Dad doesn’t trust me to be in charge of it?”
Her mother waved a hand as if unbothered by her frustration. “It’s not that, darling. He just wants to see you settle down. We both do.”
She couldn’t believe that her own parents didn’t trust her to do the one thing she’d been dedicating herself to for over a decade. It broke her heart and it made her so angry she had to get up and go.
Her mother glanced at her, confusion in her gaze. “Where are you going?”
“I can’t do this, Mom. I gotta go.”
She picked two of the croissants from the basket and rushed out. How could they do that to her? How could they not see how they were hurting her? Did they just not care?
Chapter Fourteen
Parker drove to Ryan’s office on a whim. She hadn’t spoken to him yet and she knew that he was busy, but she couldn’t help it. She needed someone who gave a shit right then. She gave her name at the front desk and saw the other Ryan walking past her.
“Barrick?” she asked tentatively.
He turned to her and smiled. “Hey! Parker.” He hugged her and kissed her cheek. “Good to finally meet you.” He glanced at his watch. “Ryan’s actually over at the Pine Inn. Come on, I’ll take you.”
“Oh, no, it’s okay,” she fumbled. “I didn’t realize he wasn’t here.”
“It’s no problem,” Barrick told her. “I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you.”
“Really?” she asked. He wouldn’t be annoyed that she showed up unannounced?
“Of course. It’s you.”
Parker raised her brows but followed beside him to his SUV. He held the passenger door open for her and she sat there, wondering if she was intruding on Ryan’s personal time.
“So, I hear you’re going to help us whip these young tigers into shape and help bring the community back together?” Barrick grinned. “No pressure, though.”
She laughed at the way he said it. “I’m hoping my ideas help. I’ve never actually dealt with a pride or shifters before, so I’m not really sure how any of what I have planned will pan out with your people.”
“You have ideas,” he said, “that’s more than Ryan and I have. We’re up to our necks with work and don’t have enough time to come up with solutions to these problems.”
She nodded. “I’m sure. I was thinking one of the ways we can reintegrate your community is by helping give elder homes a facelift. Having the youth go into your elders’ homes and help them organize, paint and rebuild whatever they need, will help them reconnect. Talk. But that’s just one idea I have.”
“That’s a great idea. We have a team of people that is normally called when someone needs something fixed, but by giving these kids a job, we’re taking them off the streets and giving them focus and direction.” He nodded. “Ryan was right. You are the right person for this job.”
She grinned and shrugged. “I don’t know about all that, but I have a list of things we can try. The first one is my favorite.”
Barrick raised his brows. “Oh, yeah? What’s that?”
She stared at him as he drove. Now that she looked at him more closely, she could see the differences between him and Ryan. Barrick’s smile was more carefree and had a dimple on the left cheek. “Um, I think the kids should give their elders a free computer class. A lot of elderly have a hard time with things as simple as email and using social media. These kids love that stuff. Why not have them teach them how to do it? It’ll help them bond over something that interests both parties.”
“You’re a genius.” Barrick stopped. “We’re here.”
They hopped out of his SUV and she caught sight of the Pine Inn. It was a beautiful cabin-type inn with five floors. All rooms appeared to have a balcony and the entrance had a gorgeous wraparound balcony as well.
“This is so pretty.” She followed Barrick inside and was astounded by the natural beauty of the place—the big chandelier hanging from the center of the lobby and all the gorgeous flowers at every table. She was busy staring at a setup of sun flowers that went along with the lobby’s décor.
“I can’t believe this,” Ryan’s voice sounded coming down the hall.
She turned to watch him. He was frowning at the man next to him. He seemed tense and tired.
“Hey, Ryan. I brought you a present!” Barrick yelled.
Ryan glanced at her and his features softened. A smile spread over his lips. He rushed over to hug and kiss her. She kissed him back because, damn it, she needed it. She’d had a shitty lunch with her mom and now, being with Ryan, she felt so right.
He pulled back but continued holding her. “What are you doing here?”
She shrugged. “I went to your office to see if you wanted to have some lunch, but you weren’t there.”