Should Have Known Better

“I know what you just said.”

Victoria stood up and walked over to her office window, pacing back and forth in her black patent leather peep-toe heels. “Of course the wedding isn’t foolishness. It’s going to be the single biggest day of Alexandria’s and PJ’s lives, and I know without a doubt that it will be the start of a happy future for them both. What I’m talking about is the way you’re always dropping hints and alluding to things . . .”

“Alluding?” Parker interrupted her in a surprised voice. “Victoria, we go way back, and you know me. I don’t allude, I take action. I might flirt, but I don’t drop hints. I’m direct and I say what I mean.”

“Then why are you calling me during the middle of the day with this?”

“I thought I already explained that.”

Victoria took a deep breath, continuing to pace back and forth.

“I hear you taking those deep breaths,” Parker said. “Just calm down and st

op pacing back and forth in front of your window. Relax.”

Victoria stopped in her tracks. He knew her too well, even after all these years. She walked back to her desk and sat down. “You’re right. We’re going to be in-laws soon. We’ll be seeing each other at the holidays and other occasions as the years go on, so I want to get something straight right now.”

“Okay, I’m listening.”

“I’m happily married. Our children are getting ready to be happily married. And from what I hear, hopefully you will be happily married, too. So please stop this flirting or whatever you want to call it. This isn’t right and it needs to end with this call.”

Parker cleared his throat and let out a small laugh. “That’s really interesting. I don’t know who you’ve been talking to, but I can assure you that marriage isn’t on the table for me. However, I couldn’t agree with you more about PJ and Alexandria, and I wish them nothing but the very best. I love Alexandria like the daughter I never had, and I have no doubt that she and my son will enjoy many years of happiness.”

Victoria wasn’t about to tell him that PJ had been the source of her information, or that he wasn’t a fan of his father’s significant other, and now she regretted making the comment. “I’m happy to hear that, Parker, and I’m glad we understand each other.”

“I think we always have.”

“Okay, well, you take care and I’ll see you at the wedding.”

She didn’t give him a chance to respond. She hit the end button and leaned back against her chair as she let out a deep breath. She thought about the wise saying that Alexandria had told her grandma Allene had whispered to her one evening. You can never go wrong doing right. Victoria knew that Parker was anything but right, and if she wasn’t careful with him, she could find herself going in the wrong direction.

Parker had broken her heart in what seemed like another lifetime, and the poor choices she’d made with him years later had nearly cost her the happy marriage she’d talked about moments ago.

“This time I’m going to do the right thing. I’m not going to make the same mistake a third time.”

But even as Victoria spoke those words, a small voice told her to hold on tight for the bumpy road ahead.