The Personal Shopper

“It’s a conversation piece! Do you know who convinces all those rich men to take out their wallets to donate? Their very bored wives. Once they’ve donated, we get them on our contact list and the sales team uses the leads to generate more business.”

Parker actually looks surprised at my knowledge of how the business works but still doesn’t look convinced. Then he adds, “Why don’t you just bring Jeff to the event. He can be your ‘conversation piece’.”

I roll my eyes at him. “Jeff is already coming with me. Guess we’ll just have to bring you in a body bag to drum up conversation.” I snap back at him.

Parker doesn’t laugh. “You’re really taking him?”

I just stare back at him. “Yeah. What’d you think I would take you or something?” I let out a harsh laugh like that is the most ridiculous thing in the world.

Parker doesn’t respond to the question. “Do you need anything else?”

It comes out harsh, and it throws me off for a second. I mean, sure, we’ve been bickering since he got back, but he’s never been that serious with me. I get up from my chair without saying anything and go to leave.

I know I shouldn't care about his mean tone since I’ve been the main instigator in all of our fighting, but for some reason it just rubs me wrong. I don’t want Parker to hate me.

I am heading to the hallway to leave when his voice stops me. “Ava.”

It’s quiet and soft. Not like his tone just a second ago. I turn to him, and he just hands me a plate. “Don’t forget your sandwich.”

I look down at the plate he made up for me and then back up to his eyes. “Thanks.” I whisper.

He just nods his head and then turns away. I get to the door of the apartment, and then I stop and turn my head over my shoulder. I hold up my arm showing I am still wearing his sweatshirt. “This is mine now.” He smiles back at me, and I turn to leave. I can’t help the smile that comes on my face. It’s like with just one of his smiles, I know everything will be okay between us.

I head back over to my apartment and finish the sandwich. I never take his hoodie off the whole night.

Chapter 4

Ava

The rest of the next couple weeks is a lot more of the same. Parker figured out how the electronic keys worked the next day, and so we are constantly barging into each other’s apartments unannounced. Even though I know he can walk in at any time, I haven’t been trying to dress any more appropriately than the first time I walked in on him. I know I shouldn’t be, but I’ve purposefully been wearing my more sexy pajamas recently. Today is no different. I have on nothing but a t-shirt dress that barely covers my ass and panties.

I hear my front door open and busy myself in the kitchen. Parker walks in with some papers in hand. “So for the Murphy project, did you decide on what option you prefer of the two I listed in the email this morni-...” He stops when his eyes lift from his paper and take in what I am wearing.

I turn and reach for a glass on the second shelf even though there is one on the first, which causes my already too short dress to raise even higher. I can feel Parker’s eyes traveling up my legs.

He looks at me different now than he did back then. Like he isn’t afraid to admit he is attracted to me now like he was back then. Parker never looked at me inappropriately, but when I turned 19, I started to more boldly flirt with him. The only thing I’d ever catch him checking out were my legs. I knew they were his favorite feature, which is exactly why I chose this dress tonight.

I turn around, and his eyes snap back up to mine quickly like he thinks he won’t get caught checking me out. I just smirk because I knew exactly where his eyes were before I even turned around.

Parker swallows hard. I see his Adam's apple bob up and down as he does. Then he clears his throat. “So option one has the green-.”

“I want option two.”

He just looks at me for a minute. “If you knew what option you wanted, why didn’t you just email me back this afternoon?”

I smile back at him and give him a fake sweet voice. “Well, maybe I just wanted to have you come see me tonight.” I flutter my lashes at him for extra effect.

He doesn’t laugh at my joke. Instead, he takes it as is and runs his eyes slowly back down my body. I feel my heart speed up under his stare.

“That’s what you chose to wear for me to come see you?” Then it’s him who is smirking back at me.

Before I have the chance to answer, my doorbell rings. We both look over to the door, and Parker looks back to me in question. I just play coy. “Oh, my date is here.”

Parker looks back over to the door and then back over to my outfit. “Jesus Ava. Put on some clothes. I’ll get the door.”

I can’t tell if he is jealous or if that is just his ‘I need to protect my best friend’s niece’ voice.

I just stare back at him and smile, but I make no move to go change. He marches over to the door like he is going to intimidate whatever poor soul decided to come over tonight.