Found in Us (Lost 2)

"Maybe we’ve started rubbing off on each other, you know? Isn't that what happens when you date someone who's unlike you in almost every way?" I ask. I try to mimic some of Parker's calculated demeanor in business at my own work place—meaning I try not throttle my boss every time he decides to impersonate Lucifer. I'm also trying to quit smoking. Emphasis on trying.

"Keep me updated if you do decide to bring Serena to London. I'm gonna plan a massive girls’ night out before you propose," I say as Dani arrives. After bidding James goodbye, I head inside with her. As we join Helen and Parker, I try to remember what my sixth-grade teacher used to tell us about opposite forces. Did they attract or repel each other?

***

"We're making some serious progress," I say as we enter Parker's house a few hours later. "I was willing to bet good money you'd grill Dani about dating.”

"You said that would only drive her away, didn't you? I'm doing my best to learn. I'll be the first to admit I don't have any deep insights when it comes to female psychology."

I grin. "You make it sound like it should be the title of a PhD paper."

"It should be. Come to think of it, maybe I should sponsor one. Would make life easier for men everywhere." He gives me a kiss on my forehead. "I'll be in the study for a few hours. I need to make a few phone calls, sorry."

"It's late. Didn't anyone tell you it's rude to call this late?"

"Not everyone I work with is in our time zone."

"Can I come with you?" I ask on a whim. He looks at me with uncertainty. "I solemnly promise I won't sell out any business secrets I might overhear."

He shakes his head, laughing, "It's not that, but it'll be very boring for you."

"Oh no it won't."

The study, a part of the house I like a lot, has so many floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with books that it looks like something from an old Disney cartoon Serena made me watch once. Beauty and the Beast, I think. I wouldn't have noticed the library in the cartoon at all if Serena hadn't pointed it out about six times, telling me how much she wanted one. I was busier admiring the dancing tea set. The fact that we were sixteen when we watched it does make the whole thing a tad embarrassing.

"What are you doing?" Parker asks, looking half-alarmed, half-amused, as I step up on one of the leather chairs.

"Taking a picture of your library to send to Serena. She's going to freak out over it."

I curl in the comfortable leather chair and send her the picture. I focus on Parker next, listening to him making phone call after phone call. I've heard snippets of his conversations before, but this is different. I get to see the whole process of him convincing other people to do whatever he wants. And succeeding in every single case. It's more than just barking orders—though he does that a few times—to a secretary I'm pretty sure is based in London, and hence should be sleeping at this time, or enjoying the time with her family, not taking orders from her manic boss.

But most often his calls are to people who hold positions similar to his own. The calculated tone he uses to negotiate makes the fine hair on my body stand on end. He is used to getting what he wants. And he knows how to get exactly what he wants from everyone.

He oozes self-confidence and power. Nothing screams turn-on more than that.

As I look at him, I try to imagine how he could have once been a bad boy. It's hard to imagine Parker as anything but a businessman, wielding enough power to make anyone do his bidding.

He seems more relaxed, yet still businesslike, during his phone call with James. I smile when I hear James speak. He, too, sounds very detached and businesslike, the very opposite of how he sounds when he talks to me, either about Dani or plotting about the marriage proposal.

It's only after a dozen phone calls that I realize all of them, except the one with James, are about Blakesley Enterprises. Parker finally puts his phone down, shoving it aside on the desk and leaning back in his chair three hours later.

"Sorry it took so long."

"No problem," I say. "Can I ask you something?"

"If I say no,

will that stop you?"

"Not really."

He grins.

"How come you are running your family's business after your brother ran it for so long? I thought the two of you don't get along?"

His grin drops. Parker inhales sharply and grimaces, as if the air would sting him. "You sure you want to hear this story, Jessica? I was kind of hoping I'd get to enjoy you a little while longer before you decided you could do better."

"Why don't you give me more credit?" I ask. "So, how come you took over Blakesley Enterprises? Not that I understand much of business, but the papers said it was in pretty bad shape when you took it over. The word bankruptcy came up a few times."