The Anchor (29 page)

The next day, Joey and Dierk help move all of my furniture into the house and I begin unpacking the boxes containing dishes and other knick-knacks of mine. It’s around six in the evening and I’m in front of my closet—my very small closet—trying to figure out where the hell I’m going to hang my pageant dresses when I hear the front door open and close. I wait a moment, listening to see if whoever opened the door will identify themselves, but they don’t say anything. I quietly make my way down the hallway and stop in the doorway of the kitchen.

My heart hammers at the sight of him. He’s dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, his thick hair loose and disheveled. Even when he’s a mess, he looks amazing. “Hey,” he says, before swallowing hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he does.

My throat is tight. I want to apologize. I want to beg him to forgive me, but he starts talking again. “I see you got everything moved in, huh?”

Blinking a few times, I attempt to focus. “Um, yeah. Joey and Dierk helped today.” His lips flatten with my words, but he doesn’t say anything. “Did you just get in?”

He walks to the counter and leans his back against it, crossing his arms. Something about him feels off—distant. My stomach tightens with deep dread. “Been driving since midnight.”

I glance at the door in the living room, searching for his suitcases, but I don’t see any. “Where’s your stuff?” I ask.

“I’m going to stay at Edie and John’s for now. Until . . .” he shakes his head, “until I figure things out.” My heart drops to the pit of my stomach. That is not what I was expecting to hear.

My mouth is open as I stare at him; dumfounded. He’s not coming back to me.

I’ve ruined it.

I’ve ruined us.

Fuck.

“I know the other night . . .” he pauses as if he isn’t sure how to voice what he wants to say, and my heart beats faster, “I just hope we can work together, even if we’re not together.”

I stare at him blankly, wanting to say a million things, but I’m unable to produce words. Then he stands up straight and gives the room a once-over. “The place looks really good,” he notes. In this moment, I don’t care about the house.

“Um . . .” I cough, attempting to clear any evidence of emotion from my voice, “yeah, Joey is a lifesaver.”

When he cuts his gaze to me, his jaw tics and he tears his eyes away. I get the feeling he wants to say something, but he’s fighting it. Then he steps toward me and my heart lurches out of my stomach and jumps to my throat as hope blossoms inside of me.
Please, please let him take me in his arms and tell me everything will be okay—that I haven’t fucked this up beyond repair.
When he reaches me, he leans in and kisses my forehead.

As he pulls away, he says, “If you need anything, I’m not far, okay?” There went my heart back to the pit of my stomach. I want to cry.

He doesn’t look at me as I whisper, “Okay.”

Without another word, he walks out and shuts the door behind him, leaving me barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen, a mere two seconds from falling apart.

Leaving Nikki at the house last night was hard as fuck. I couldn’t tell if the stricken look on her face was because she was surprised to see me after our fight or if she was sad I wasn’t staying. Either way, it took everything in me not to pull her in my arms and kiss her.

Today I started my new job at Motley Law Firm. Luckily the first day has been pretty easy. I haven’t slept in days and the lack of rest is starting to catch up with me. All I’ve done is unpack, organize my office, fill out paperwork, and shake hands with a hundred people whose names I’ve already forgotten. This firm is way more laid-back than the place I worked at in New York. I showed up in a tailored suit and half the people here are wearing jeans. I’m at my desk, shoving some folders in a drawer when I hear a knock.

“So you’re the new guy?” A tall man with a friendly smile steps in my office.

“That’d be me,” I confirm as I stand.

I round my desk and we shake hands. “I’m Mike Anderson. It’s nice to meet you, Parker.”

“You too. Everyone here has been so friendly.”

“Yeah, everyone is pretty down-to-earth. I wanted to come by and introduce myself and tell you if you need anything, let me know.”

“Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”

There’s another knock at my door, and when I look up, an attractive brunette with naughty-teacher glasses says, “Mr. Hayes?”

“That’s me,” I reply. She walks in, her posture straight, her expression friendly, holding a folder, notepad, and pen in one hand. She’s wearing a white blouse that isn’t low-cut, but it’s fitting to her body, the outfit finishing with a black pencil skirt and heels.

“I’m Leanne. Your assistant.” She extends out a small hand to me and we shake. “I was late today because I had an appointment.”

“Nice to meet you,” I say, with a friendly smile. “But please, call me Parker.”

She smiles awkwardly, but nods once. Her gaze darts to Mike whose friendly demeanor seems to have shifted.

“I have to get back to work now. Nice to meet you, man.”

As he heads for the door, I counter, “You too, Mike. Thanks.”

Leanne glances behind her and doesn’t speak until she sees he’s gone. Then turning back to me with a bright smile, she asks, “How do you like Knightdale so far?”

“I grew up around here.”

“Oh,” she retorts softly. “Me too. Did you graduate from Knightdale High School?”

“Probably long before you did,” I chuckle and I motion for her to take a seat as I take my own.

She narrows her eyes and looks off to the side as she takes her seat. “Are you related to Maddie Hayes?”

My brows crease and I smirk. “Yeah. I claim her,” I chuckle. “She’s my little sister.”

Leanne grins. “She was a year or two ahead of me, but I remember her.”

“Huh,” I say. “Small world.”

“Yeah,” she agrees, and her brown eyes lock with mine as she bites her lower lip. Shit. Does that look mean something?

Clearing my throat, I jerk my gaze from hers, not wanting to give her the wrong idea or lead her on. She’s incredibly attractive, there’s no denying it, but even if there weren’t the need to remain professional, she’s not my type. I only have one type now. Blonde hair, blue eyes, complicated-as-fuck. Nikki Reese. That’s my type. “So shall we work out a preliminary schedule?”

She opens the folder, taking out a few pieces of paper and sliding them to me across the desk. Then she opens her notepad and gets down to business and I sigh quietly in relief. Maybe I read that look wrong. “I thought we should go over your schedule. Would you like me to get some coffee for you before we start?”

“No, but thank you,” I reply, pulling the papers toward me and glancing them over.

The gears shift back into a professional level, allowing me to breathe a little easier.

I don’t leave the office until after seven, but I head straight home. Or, I guess it’s Nikki’s home. No matter where we stand or what is going on between us, I’m going to see Nikki every day. I need to see her every day. Since I have a key, I don’t bother knocking. I know I should, but until she tells me otherwise, I’m going to let myself right in.

As I’m shutting the door, I hear Nikki groan from one of the back rooms, “Damn, that feels so much better.” My ears perk as I freeze, waiting to hear more. “Uh,” she whimpers. “Don’t stop.” The blood drains from my face. Who the fuck is she talking to? I twist my neck from side to side and my heart thunders as I make my way to the back of the house, fury rolling through me. We fucking broke up three days ago and she’s already fucking another guy? And while she’s pregnant with my kid? Oh, fuck no.

When I reach the master bedroom, tear the door open ready to pulverize whoever I find in there with her, I’m met with Nikki’s blue gaze and Edie’s brown one, both whipping their sights toward me, and I freeze. Nikki is lying on her side, her leg in Edie’s lap.

“Parker?” Edie says. “Everything okay?”

I blink a few times, my anger lost somewhere in the forefront of my mind, still trying to understand it needs to disappear. Speak, you moron. “Uh . . . everything okay in here?” I finally manage.

“Yeah,” Edie sighs as she massages the back of Nikki’s leg. “Nik’s got a charley horse. I’m massaging it out.”

“A charley horse?” I ask.

“It feels like there’s a rock-hard golf ball in my calf. Hurts like a bitch,” Nikki groans as Edie continues to rub her leg.

This I would be able to handle. I want to go to her, kiss her head, and take over for Edie, but I don’t. “Can I do anything to help?”

“Get her a glass of water,” Edie answers. “Dehydration causes charley horses.”

“She’s dehydrated?” I ask, hearing the concern in my own voice. “Is the baby okay?”

“Yes, Parker,” Nikki answers softly. “I’ve just been busy today. I set up my office and I’ve been unpacking all day and didn’t drink enough water.”

“Your new office?” I ask; perplexed. Why does she need an office?

She doesn’t answer my question as she pulls her leg from Edie’s lap. “Thanks, Edie. I feel a lot better,” she sighs.

“Anytime,” Edie says, and she climbs off the bed. “I better head back up to the house. Suit is bringing dinner. He got enough for you, too, Parker,” she adds.

“Oh . . . thanks. I’ll be up in a few.”

“Night, Nik.” And Edie waves.

“Night, Edie. Thanks for all your help.”

Edie slips out of the bedroom and Nikki stands, straightening the comforter. “Are you sure you’re okay?” I ask.

She moves her gaze to mine and smirks. “I promise, Parker. We’re both fine.” Running a hand through my hair, I let out a deep breath. And she chuckles. “The better question is, are you okay?” Crossing her arms, she moves to the end of the bed and leans against the post.

I snort. “Yeah. I’m great. I came in the house and heard you groaning, I thought . . .” Shit. I stop myself from continuing. Probably wouldn’t sound good to say I thought she was back here with another man.

“Thought what?” By the way she’s smiling, I think she knows what I thought, but she’s enjoying making me uncomfortable.

“I don’t know what I thought.” We both stare at one another and I have to fight the pull. That damn pull that makes me want to wrap her in my arms and make love to her. And she’s not making it easy on me. She’s wearing yoga pants and a blue, long-sleeve top, her blonde hair tied up in a knot on the top of her head. The woman is a classic beauty. I move my gaze down her body and notice her belly looks a little bigger and I can’t help smiling. I’m still amazed that a tiny little baby is growing inside of her.

“Can I cook you dinner?” I ask, meeting her gaze again. “I’d like to hear about this new office.”

“Only if you make me some of that chicken you made the first time you cooked for me. I’ve been craving it.”       

I grin as I step back and motion for her to pass by me out of the bedroom. “I’ll cook you anything you want.” And I can’t stop smiling.

Once we’re in the kitchen, she takes a seat at the tiny table while I pull out the ingredients to cook. The kitchen is well stocked considering she just moved in and I feel like shit that I haven’t helped her with anything here. I could have at least volunteered to buy groceries. “So, tell me about this office?” I question.