The Personal Shopper

“See you then. And Parker?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m glad you’re gunna be back.”

I look down at the ground thinking for a moment. I am glad I am going to be moving back close to my friend too. I’ve missed Sunday dinners and feeling like part of the family. I am just not so sure about working with Ava. I can’t let Doug know that though, so I just agree. “Yeah, me too.”

I mean it’s not like I have much choice. I needed a job, and Doug’s brother offered me one. I couldn’t say no, especially not with how much money he was offering. I just hope I can handle seeing Ava again.

Chapter 2

Ava

“You did what?” I ask into my phone again, thinking I must have misunderstood my dad the first time. He just keeps saying the same thing. though.

“Ava, I told you already. I hired Parker to manage your business finances for at least the next six months.”

I shake my head still not believing him. I haven’t seen Parker since the day I ran out of the kitchen on him.

He left a couple weeks later to move a little out of the city for his new job. I guess that is why him and Nina broke up back then. He wasn’t serious enough about her to ask her to come with him.

I can feel my blood start to boil with anger. “Why on earth would I need Parker to handle my finances?”

I am still pissed at Parker. Even though it's been six years since I’ve last seen him, I still feel the hurt just as much now that he is back in the picture.

After he left, he never came to see me. I knew things would be different after I tried to kiss him, but I thought we would still see each other every now and then. Except whenever he came to visit Doug, he would make sure they had plans to be somewhere, or it would be an odd day of the week so he never had to come to any parties or events where I would usually see him. It felt like he was avoiding me, and that hurt me worse than I thought it would.

My dad just sighs. “Ava, you know numbers have never been your strong suit. I know you are good at what you do, but if you are spending too much to get the results, then it is not worth it in the first place.”

I continue to protest. “Why can’t I just come up with a budget again with Ralph in accounting?”

My dad laughs. “Oh, like last time when you just used the other business credit card when you reached the limit we set on your own, and then when you reached that limit, you used your personal card that conviently gets paid off directly from my account?”

I shrug my shoulders like he can see me through the phone. “I promise that won’t happen this time. I will stick to the budget.”

My dad just sighs again, and I know I’ve lost this battle.

“Ava honey, it’s more than that. He will be analyzing our previous spend and help us with forecasting for the future along with monitoring your purchases. He is very good at what he does, and I am hoping when his six months are up, he’ll come join us at corp

orate.”

My mouth hangs open to protest again, but I don’t know what else to say. I can’t exactly tell my dad why I don’t want to be around Parker. Like sorry dad, you can’t hire him because I was totally in love with him for years and when I tried to kiss him, he pushed me away and then avoided me for the next six years.

I suddenly feel nervous about seeing Parker again. I mean, I am not the same girl I was six years ago, and I am sure he is not the same either, but I’m still scared I’ll still have the same feelings for him when I see him again. I mean it’s not like I’ve been pining over him all these years. I’ve dated plenty of guys. It’s just…I don't know. I guess it’s true what they say how you never quite get over your first love.

Ugh. It’s fine. I am not going to let him get to me. I’ll just pretend he means nothing to me. If he didn’t care enough to want to see me for the last six years, then I certainly won’t be welcoming him home with open arms.

“Fine dad. But don’t think I am happy about this. I will probably continue to fight you on it the whole time.”

He laughs. “I wouldn’t expect anything less sweetheart.”

I sigh. “So, when exactly does this all start.”

My dad clears his throat. “Tomorrow.” He mumbles.

“Excuse me? Did you just say tomorrow?”

“Yes.”