The Personal Shopper

The woman stopped when she saw me standing there with him. “Oh sorry sweetie. I didn’t realize you were out here.” She smiled at me but didn’t try to give me a hug. Thank goodness. At least she had enough sense to know I don’t want a stranger touching me.

She started rubbing her hand up Parker’s arm. This was the first moment I ever felt true jealousy. I didn't want her touching him. I only wanted it to be me touching him.

She whispered to him. “Hey, Doug wanted to see if you could help get the food set up.”

He nodded his head at her. “I’ll be there in a second.”

She kissed his cheek and walked away.

Parker turned back to me, and I must’ve had a disgusted look on my face because he just gave me a confused look. “What?”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Teddy?”

He rolled his eyes at me. “Hey, one day when you marry Jeff, I’m sure you’ll have plenty of nicknames for him.”

Then it was my turn to roll my eyes at him, but his words did something painful to my heart. “You’re planning on marrying her?”

Parker laughed. “Jesus. No.” He paused. “I mean not right now. We just started dating.”

I am snapped out of my memory when Becca grabs my arm. “Oh look! Parker just got here with Nina. I’m going to go say hi.”

Before she walks away, I add. “Don’t you mean Teddy?”

We both laugh and Becca turns to me. “Seriously though, I am still not sure how those two are still dating.”

You and me both aunt Becca.

I finish off my champagne and go in search of another one. I still can’t get over how Nina calls him Teddy. Short for Theadore. I mean if he wanted to go by his first name, then he would. Ugh. I can’t get started thinking about Parker. It will just make me upset. I need to just forget about him. Maybe my aunt Becca is right, and I should give Jeff another chance. I mean, I’ve had enough champagne to think it’s a good idea at least.

I start walking over toward him when I am stopped by something I hear. I turn toward the voice and see my great aunt Ella. She is the biggest gossip in the world, but usually her information is pretty accurate, so everyone still likes to hear what she has to say.

“Yes. They just broke up before they got here. I ran into Parker when he was coming in. You know that boy loves to open up to me. Told me the whole story how they ended things, but they are just going to play it cool for today so it doesn’t cause any drama.”

I can’t help the smile that forms on my face. Parker is single? Not that it matters. He still wouldn’t be interested in me, but I’m not a little girl anymore, so maybe there's a chance. I know I shouldn’t start fantasizing about all the things that could happen now that he and Nina broke up, but I can’t help myself.

I spend the rest of the party all giddy. It might have something to do with how much alcohol I’ve consumed, but somehow I know I would be just as happy if I were completely sober.

It's not that I want Parker to be unhappy, but I know that Nina wasn’t the girl for him. If he actually found a good girl, I’d be happy for him. I think.

The party starts to dwindle down after the sunset. There are a few remaining guests outside by the fire. I head into the kitchen to get some water. The kitchen is dark, and I let out a small scream when I see someone standing by the kitchen island.

“Geez! You scared the shit out of me.”

Parker glares at me. He still thinks I’m a little girl and shouldn’t be swearing. Well, tough luck.

He doesn’t say anything, so I just grab a glass of water and say, “Okaaaaay.”

He makes a small grunt noise in acknowledgement. I am still in a giddy mood, so I don’t let it phase me. A thought then occurs to me. “Hey aren’t you forgetting to ask me something today?” I say playfully as I walk up closer to him.

Ever since that day at the funeral, whenever Parker sees me, he always asks, “Where’s that beautiful Ava smile?” I know it is cheesy, but it’s our thing and I wouldn't change it for the world.

Parker just grunts again. “I’ve had a long day Ava.”

That’s all he says. My smile drops from my face as I stare back at him for a moment.

Suddenly, I feel really uncomfortable. I’ve never felt uncomfortable with Parker before. I know it’s something so dumb, but I always count on him asking me. It helps me get through anything I am dealing with.

I can feel tears starting to prick at my eyes, so I quickly turn around and try to leave the kitchen as fast as possible. I can’t let him see me cry over this.