His shoulders relax like he’s relieved, so I ask, “So who’s the lucky lady?”
Jeff actually blushes. He mumbles out. “Rachel.”
I just stare at him for a moment. “Rachel? Like Parker’s date Rachel?”
He just laughs. “It’s not like I’m stealing her from him. She told me he is basically her cousin. Their parents were best friends before they were even born. She is just here as a friend because he didn’t have anyone to go with since he only been here a little while.”
I can’t help the smile that forms on my face. A cousin? Why didn’t he tell me that? Was he trying to make me jealous like I was him?
I just wink at Jeff. “Go get your girl.”
He smiles and gives me a kiss on the cheek, and then he leaves to go back to Rachel. I feel better after talking to Jeff, so I walk back into the main hall. I need to find Parker. I need to rub in his face that I know about his date. Although, then I’ll be admitting I don’t care that Jeff is planning on taking her home.
I look around searching for him. I’ll decide what to say once I find him. Just then, Doug comes up to me. “Hey, are you guys almost done for the night? Becca wasn’t feeling so great. You don’t have to come with us, but we’re taking the car now.”
“Sure, I’ve had about enough for the night. Want me to find everyone?”
Doug just nods. “Just check with Parker. I already talked to Jeff. Seems he is planning on taking Rachel home later.” He looks at me kind of funny. “What happened there?”
I just laugh. “I don’t know. I guess me and Parker are good matchmakers.”
He just chuckles. “I am calling the driver now. He’ll be around front in about fifteen minutes. Meet you there?”
I smile back. “Sounds good.”
Doug walks away, and I see Parker sipping on a drink over at one of the bars, so I head over that way. He catches my eye as I walk over, but his face remains blank. I don’t know if he is mad I walked away from him earlier.
“Hey, Doug and Becca are leaving now. I am going with them. You can call your own car if you want to stay.” He doesn’t say anything for a moment, so I awkwardly add, “I mean looks like someone stole your date, so not sure why you would want to stay.”
He finally smiles at me. Then laughs out. “Yeah, yours too.”
I just shrug like I don’t really care. “So are you staying or coming? Car will be here in about ten minutes.”
He looks right at me and says with a serious voice. “I don’t have any reason to stay once you leave.”
My breath catches in my throat, and we just stare at each other for a moment. Becca is suddenly right next to us. “Hey, are you guys staying?”
I shake my head and then look right back at Parker. “No. We’re coming.”
She just smiles. “Good. Me and Doug were looking for a moment to get you two alone.”
I give her a curious look. “How come?”
She grabs my arm and starts walking toward the car.
“C’mon, it’s a surprise.”
I look back at Parker, but he just lifts his shoulders like he doesn't know what she is talking about. We all head toward the car.
Chapter 8
Ava
Apparently there was a lot of traffic, so we are standing outside on the steps for a few minutes. I rub my hands up and down my arms to warm up. Parker takes his suit coat off and places it around my shoulders. “Here.”
I look at him and just whisper. “Thanks.”
I know I shouldn’t be sniffing his jacket right in front of him, but I can’t help it. It smells like him, and I can’t get enough of it. It smells woodsy like his body wash with just a hint of cologne that he wears for special occasions like tonight.