Found in Us (Lost 2)

"Nah, I'll go check on the guys."

I leave Dani and Serena, and walk to the second floor. I find James alone in one of the rooms, cursing as he stands in front of the mirror, trying to knot his tie.

"You are terrible. You're a businessman. How can you not be able to tie a necktie with your eyes closed?"

"At the moment I have serious trouble trying to tie one with my eyes open. Ask Serena how often I wear suits," James says, letting his hands fall by his sides in resignation. "I usually have ties delivered with the knot already made. Who the hell decreed this a suit and tie event anyway? It's my own engagement party, and it’s in my own house. I should have a say in it."

"I did, actually. I'm the maid of honor." I stand a bit straighter. "I think men in suits are hot," I add matter-of-factly.

James shakes his head, muttering something that sounds suspiciously like women.

"Here, let me help you.” I can't stop smiling as I finish his tie. "By the way, I think Serena knows you are planning something special for tonight."

James snaps up his head so abruptly I swear I hear a tiny crack. "What? Did you tell her something?"

I take a step back, clutching my heart mockingly. "James Cohen, when did I ever betray your surprises? I did have to tell Dani though so she can help me distract Serena when the big moment arrives."

He grins. "This will blow her mind."

"I agree. But I hardly think it can top your proposal."

Though not exactly accompanied by big gestures, as is his usual style, that moment was special in its own way. He did indeed fly Serena to London for the proposal. It turned out to be the right thing to do. Serena, who hadn't returned to London since she moved to California years ago, has flown twice to London since the proposal.

"Right, this is done. Where is Parker?" I ask.

"Outside."

I find Parker on the patio overlooking the ocean, engaged in a heated discussion with three suited men. I keep my distance, watching him with a smile. He successfully sold Blakesley Enterprises and has been so much happier since then, concentrating on doing what he likes. I bite my lip, as I have a perfect view of his deliciously formed ass. Yes, suits really do look good on him. As if feeling my gaze, he turns slightly, a grin spreading across his face when he sees me.

He beckons me to join him and the men and introduces me as his girlfriend. We still haven’t told James or Serena about our engagement, and today, I’m not wearing my ring. Parker and I agreed to wait until after the party, so we don’t steal their thunder. Keeping this a secret has been hard. I’ve been bursting to tell Serena every time we talked.

Parker no longer seems to want to keep his private life secret from the world. Or, as he puts it, he doesn’t want to keep me secret. And that suits me just fine, though I still get nervous as hell before any fancy event we attend. The British press was a bit disappointed when Parker made our relationship public, since they were hoping when he finally offered them a glimpse in his life, it’d be something scandalous. Something worth writing about. A stable relationship wasn’t exactly what they were hoping for.

He nods briefly to the group, and we move away to a more private spot.

"You can't take a break from discussing business even at your cousin's engagement party?"

"A bit of networking never hurts," he says before wrapping his arms around my waist and

pulling me into a gentle kiss. "And you're one to talk. You love your new job so much, sometimes I think you’d like to sleep at the museum.”

I chuckle. "How could I possibly do that? I'd miss out on our dinners and our walks.”

"Ah, I see,” Parker says. “I thought you'd miss all those things I do to you after our walk and dinner."

"Yeah, those too." I look around for something to distract me, because this is a poor time to let my mind wander to those things. He grabs me by my waist, lifting me up, and carrying me to the edge of the now empty patio. When he puts me down, he turns me around so I'm facing the ocean. "I love waking up next to you every day," he says, burying his head in my neck. As usual, Parker melts me with just a few words.

In response, I press his hands tighter around me and whisper, "I love waking up next to you too.”

We watch the ocean, entangled like this for some time, until Parker says, “When do you want us to tell them our news?”

“Tomorrow?”

“I agree.”

“Can we also have an engagement party?”

“You can have whatever you want, Jess,” Parker murmurs, his hot breath on my skin a sweet torture.