The man looked like a typical stuffed shirt… As much as Parker hated to admit it, he reminded him of Ethan before Mandy’s betrayal had sent him spiraling. Like Parker looked when he went to the office back in Manhattan. Emily had called him city boy, and looking at this man, he now knew why the notion put her on edge.
“Parker Knight,” he said, not extending his hand for a shake.
“Rex Mason and that’s my wife whose mouth you had your tongue in,” the other man said, disgusted.
Parker blinked at the word wife.
In her chair, Emily let out a sound, then seeming to gather her courage, she rose to her feet. “That’s soon-to-be ex-wife, Rex. We’re legally separated.”
The man scowled. “Not by my choice and you know it.”
“If it were up to me, our marriage would be over already. The state of Illinois wants us separated for two years … unless you’re finished contesting my petition?” she asked, sounding hopeful.
“Don’t be ridiculous. You belong with me.” Apparently Emily’s ex was pompous as well as dense.
Harper had joined them in a show of support for her friend. “This is my shop and I don’t want you here, Rex.”
“Oh, great. The peanut gallery speaks. I don’t need you filling Emily’s ears with bullshit about me. I’m here to see my wife and you can’t stop me.” He took a step forward and Parker stopped him with a hand to his chest.
Emily folded her arms over her chest. “I don’t want to see you.”
“But I flew in and drove all this way to be with you. I thought I could stay at the inn and we could talk out our differences.”
“No.” Parker spoke before Emily could. “She already said she doesn’t want to see you.”
“She can speak for herself,” Emily said and Parker realized he’d made a mistake.
He couldn’t do anything that would remind her of her controlling husband. The fact that they were still married irritated him, but the law was the law. They were legally separated and she wanted nothing to do with the man. Parker didn’t let himself wonder why he cared so much or what he could actually do with her, considering his life was in New York. He just knew he was feeling particularly possessive about this woman and he refused to let anyone push her around. She was his while he was here.
“You are not staying at my family’s inn,” Emily said. Having found her voice, she stood up for herself against Rex.
“Because of the construction? I was there earlier and saw the work being done. Is that what’s keeping you here in this small town? You’re an innkeeper now? Surely you want more for yourself. I can live with the construction if it means we can spend time together.”
She shook her head. “No. I don’t want you there regardless of the construction and that’s my family’s business you’re disparaging, so watch it.”
He narrowed his gaze, obviously not used to her talking back to him, but Emily went on.
“And since it’s the only place to sleep in the area, you’re going to have to drive back and stay somewhere else in another town. You wasted a trip coming here.”
His frown marred his otherwise perfect appearance, the well-cut blond hair, expensive suit, and tie. “Think about the life we had together, the penthouse and all your gorgeous clothes. They’re still in the closet, just waiting for you.”
He looked her over then, his gaze traveling from the top of her messy bun to the sneakers she wore on her feet.
A look Parker found downright adorable, appealing, and infinitely sexy.
Her soon-to-be ex’s scowl deepened as he took in Emily’s appearance. “Surely you can see you’ve let yourself go. You haven’t lost the weight you put on when… Well, never mind that.”
Emily winced, her hand coming to brace her stomach.
Parker narrowed his gaze.
“And shouldn’t you have gotten this muffin baking and waiting on other people out of your system by now?” Rex asked, obviously frustrated. Oblivious to everything, he continued to speak, putting his foot in his mouth with every sentence.
Lord only knew what Emily had once seen in this guy.
“Come home and things can be like they used to,” Rex cajoled in a sickening voice.
Jesus Christ. Was this guy for real, insulting her like that and then asking her to come home? “Hey now–” Parker stepped forward but Emily spoke up.
“It’s like you never knew me at all,” she said.
“I know the woman you became. The one you were always meant to be.”
The one he clearly had tried to mold her into, Parker realized. He’d had enough of this upright, ridiculous ass looking to change the perfect woman standing in front of him. “Time to go,” he said. “And if you say no, I have no problem escorting you out.”
Before he could grab the man’s arm, Rex got the hint. “I’m leaving. But this isn’t finished. We aren’t finished.” He adjusted his suit jacket and strode out of the shop.