Should Have Known Better

Ever since that bright, sunny afternoon one year ago when her daughter, Alexandria, had happily told her that she’d reconnected with PJ, her childhood best friend, who happened to be Dr. Parker Brightwood Sr.’s son, Victoria had known that trouble was waiting to find her.

A storm cloud of memories had rushed back into her life that day, but unlike her encounters with Parker from the past, she now knew she’d have to handle him, and their dealings, in a very different way.

Rather than rehashing the fact that she’d already answered his question last month, and pointing out that his phone call was basically a ruse to engage her in conversation, she simply went along with the flow. “Yes, Parker, that’s fine. You can bring two more people. Anything else?”

He chuckled again, this time in a slow, seductive tone. “Damn, that was easy. If I’d known you were going to be so accommodating I would’ve asked for more . . . much more.”

His smooth, deep, and sexy voice hadn’t changed over the years. And even though his words were laced with dangerous innuendo, coming from his mouth, they sounded as good and as sweet as apple pie. Silky seduction was part of his undeniable charm, and it had worked on her more times than she cared to remember. Victoria knew she couldn’t be drawn in by his sexiness or the natural chemistry they’d always shared. She had to use her head and shut things down before they had an inkling of a chance to get started.

“I know exactly what you’re hinting at, Parker. And I’m not having it. We’re too old to play these ridiculous cat-and-mouse games.”

“Who’s old, and who’s playing games?”

Victoria pressed her hand against her left temple. “Bring whomever you want. Just make sure you all show up on time.”

“Are you upset?”

“No, I’m irritated.”

“Have you been having a rough day?”

“Not until you called me with this foolishness.” Now she couldn’t hold back any longer. “You knew full well when you dialed my number that you could invite more guests because we discussed this last month when we talked. You didn’t have to call me today.”

Parker cleared his throat. “Victoria, I have a hectic schedule and a very busy practice at two hospitals. Sometimes it’s hard to keep everything straight. I know we’ve talked about this before, but I honestly wasn’t sure if I’d reached the headcount you gave me, so I wanted to check with you before extending an invitation to two of my colleagues.”

“Uh-huh, right . . .”

“It’s true.”

“Sure, Parker. Whatever you say.”

“Listen, I’m being straight with you. I have no reason at all to lie. You know I don’t play games.”

“Sure, you don’t.”

“Damn, I don’t remember you being this cold.”

“Put on a jacket and get used to it.”

Parker laughed, then lowered his voice. “You’re really something else.”

“Are you finished?”

“No, I have one more question.”

Victoria sighed, not sure she wanted to hear what he had to say, much less answer to it. “Go ahead.”

“I want to know what’s wrong with me calling you? We’re going to be in-laws . . . family, in a manner of speaking. A phone call is much more personal than an e-mail. I can get personal with you, can’t I?”

Victoria squirmed in her chair. “Get personal? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Anything you want it to.”

“Parker, I don’t have time for this. Like I said, bring whomever the hell you want to bring, and as I told you at the beginning of this conversation, don’t call me again with any more foolishness.”

Parker’s deep voice took on an even deeper tone. “Our children’s wedding day isn’t foolishness.”

“You know what I meant.”