I shake my head. "He isn't a violent person at all. It's just me who somehow manages to get that reaction out of him. I must have a special talent."
"You think this was your fault? That's rubbish. And when I say that, it has absolutely nothing to do with pity."
"I really could have been a better daughter, you know," I whisper.
"You were a rebellious teen. So what? Plenty of teenagers are like that. And let me tell you, that's not how normal parents deal with that. Heck, you weren't even that bad. You got into Stanford, didn't you?"
"I guess. I don't want to talk about this anymore," I say abruptly.
"That was the last time it happened?" Parker asks as if he hasn't heard me.
"Yes. But I avoided speaking to him whenever I could after I left for Stanford. He didn't talk to me for a year after I informed him and my mom of my major. I guess as far as disappointments go, a daughter who studies art and history ranks right up there with stripper for someone who once aspired to be a doctor."
In a fraction of a second Parker is in front of me, his hand lifts my chin. "The only person you have a duty not to disappoint is yourself, Jessica. The other people in your life, no matter how close they seem, can bail at any time. Don't try to live a life that will please others."
I laugh, resting my palms on his shoulders. "Well, as you can see, I'm not. If I did, I'd probably be busting my ass in med school. Oh, who am I kidding? I would've never gotten into med school. If I'd gone down that route, I would've been a nurse. Hitting on hot doctors and all that." Parker chuckles, but still looks at me expectantly. "I'm working very hard because I want to prove to myself that I'm capable of something more than causing trouble. I want to prove it to myself." And to the universe, which includes my parents, but I don't say that out loud.
"Good. You will live with your choices. Make sure they are the ones you really want. Don't live the life others want you to live. It will feel like prison."
The word makes the hair at the nape of my neck stand on its end. "Don't ever try to control me, Parker."
Parker tenses under my palms. "Why would you say that?"
“Nothing in this house is even slightly misplaced or anyth
ing less than impeccable. Your car almost literally shines. Your suits never have even the slightest wrinkle. This tells me that you are a man who seeks perfection in everything. That kind of perfection you want is not attained without having a firm grip on everything around you."
Parker loosens a bit. "I admit I have a tendency to want to control everything around me. But not you. I knew that since I first saw you in that club. I knew you were uncontrollable. And I liked that about you even though it scared me."
"Oh, you must have loved that about me," I say sarcastically. "That’s why you ran away from me.”
“I didn’t think you’d enjoy being with someone as... obsessed with control as I am.”
"So where do you stand now?"
"I think I have already confessed that you make me enjoy losing control."
"How so?"
"I don't know. You make me feel . . . free." He trails his fingers on my tattoo again, but I don't flinch this time. "That's what your tattoo is about, the wings—freedom, isn't it?"
"Yes," I whisper. "The scar was so ugly, and I wanted to turn it into something I liked, a token that meant something for me."
"I will never try to take away your wings, Jessica," Parker says, brushing my neck with his lips, his arms now circling me, pulling me to him. "I want to learn how to fly with you."
"Thank you," I say, snuggling in his arms, enjoying his peaceful, warm breath over me.
We stay like this for a few good minutes, before Parker says, "You know what, I'll have another crêpe," and walks to the table with a grin.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Damn," Parker says through a mouthful. "Just when I thought I survived the interrogation. Shoot."
"What were you really doing in California, Parker? And don't tell me you were working with James, I know that. But your presence there wasn't really crucial, was it? You said that as an investor you are more of an advisor, but you don't need to get involved in day-to-day executive things."
Parker laughs. "You actually listened to that? That's impressive. People generally just phase out right after they pose the question. Anyway, yeah, that's how it usually is. That's what allows me to invest small amounts in multiple companies at a time. But I always was more hands-on with James's businesses. I also put more money in them than I do with others." He takes a deep breath. "But no, you are right, my presence in California wasn't really necessary. Let's just say I needed a break from myself."
"You were running away from something."