Parker advances toward me like a hunter after his prey. “What exactly did you love about it?”
“The town, the countryside, Helen and Tara.”
“So... the Brit who dragged you there... where does he fit in?”
“Still considering it.”
He drags the tip of his nose across my cheek before kissing the corner of my lips.
“So what were your plans for the weekend before I hijacked them?”
“I had a date,” I say playfully.
Parker tenses, snapping his head back. “This thing between us Jess, it’s not a party. It’s you and me. You’re a beautiful woman, and I imagine you get asked out often, but if we’re giving this a shot, I want us to be exclusive.”
Holy shit. Exclusive dating. I must be dreaming.
Nodding, I explain, “I had a date with London. I have a list of things I want to do in the city. I have a list with London’s prettiest buildings, one with the prettiest streets.”
“You’re mocking me.”
“I am not.”
“There are lists like that out there?”
“It’s a sacrilege that you don’t even know. It’s all on my phone. I was going to track down some buildings this weekend. I have time to pack in one or two this afternoon.”
“Want company?”
I narrow my eyes. “That depends. Are you going to mock them?”
“I shall do no such thing.”
“Then hold on tight for the ride, Parker.”
Our first stop is Liberty’s, a department store on Great Marlborough Street. The Tudor style inspired the façade, and the inside is even more charming. It sells everything from fashion to jewelry to stationery, and floral print fabrics. It’s the first store where I’m actually more interested in the building itself than what it sells. Massive wood staircases lead to the upper floor, and the upper galleries boast beautiful woodwork. The floorboards creak beneath our feet. It’s a surreal experience, almost as if I’ve stepped back in time.
Parker excuses himself while I take some pics, wandering away, and when I finally have my fill of the galleries, I descend to the lower level and find him waiting near the staircase, holding a small bag. He holds it out for me.
“What’s this?”
“I saw you look at it when we came in.”
It’s a bottle of jasmine-scented bubble bath.
“I did look at it. Wow. Thanks. But you didn’t have to buy it for me, Parker.”
“Maybe I bought it for both of us.”
“Explain.”
“You take a bath, send me a pic while I’m on my business trip.”
He leaves tomorrow on a trip until Sunday.
“Dream on, mister,” I tease. “Come on, we have time for one more visit.”
Our next stop is St. Pancras International, a train station adjacent to King’s Cross station. The red brick building is impressive, one of the best examples of Victorian Gothic architecture.