I gulped, worried that she had recognized the name.
Parker’s expression turned impatient. “She’s from Wichita, Mom. You don’t know her family. She goes to Eastern.”
“Oh?” Vivienne eyed me again. “Parker is leaving next year for Harvard.”
“That’s what he said. I think that’s great. You must be very proud.”
The tension around her eyes smoothed a bit, and the corners of her mouth turned up in a smug grin. “We are. Thank you.”
I was amazed at how her words were so polite, and yet they dripped with insult. It wasn’t a talent she had developed overnight. Mrs. Hayes must have spent years impressing her superiority upon others.
“It’s good to see you, Mom. Good night.” She kissed his cheek, rubbed the lipstick off with her thumb, and then returned to her table. “Sorry about that, I didn’t know she would be here.”
“It’s fine. She seems … nice.”
Parker laughed. “Yes, for a piranha.” I stifled a giggle, and he offered an apologetic smile. “She’ll warm up. It just takes her a while.”
“Hopefully by the time you leave for Harvard.”
We talked endlessly about the food, Eastern, calculus, and even the Circle. Parker was charming and funny and said all the right things. Various people approached Parker to greet him, and he always introduced me with a proud smile. He was regarded as a celebrity within the walls of the restaurant, and when we left, I felt the appraising eyes of everyone in the room.
“Now what?” I asked.
“I’m afraid I have a midterm in Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy first thing Monday morning. I have some studying to do,” he said, covering my hand with his.
“Better you than me,” I said, trying not to seem too disappointed.
He drove to the apartment, and then led me up the stairs by the hand.
“Thank you, Parker.” I was aware of the ridiculous grin on my face. “I had a fantastic time.”
“Is it too early to ask for a second date?”
“Not at all,” I beamed.
“I’ll call you tomorrow?”
“Sounds perfect.”
Then came the moment of awkward silence. The element of dates I dread. To kiss or not to kiss, I hated that question.
Before I had a chance to wonder whether he would kiss me or not, he touched each side of my face and pulled me to him, pressing his lips against mine. They were soft and warm and wonderful. He pulled back once and then kissed me again.
“Talk to you tomorrow, Abs.”
I waved, watching him walk down the steps to his car. “Bye.”
Once again, when I turned the knob, the door yanked away and I fell forward. Travis caught me, and I regained my footing.
“Would you stop that?” I said, closing the door behind me.
“Abs? What are you, a workout video?” he sneered.
“Pigeon?” I said with the same amount of disdain. “An annoying bird that craps all over the sidewalk?”
“You like Pigeon,” he said defensively. “It’s a dove, an attractive girl, a winning card in poker, take your pick. You’re my Pigeon.”
I grabbed his arm to remove my heels and then walked to his room. As I changed into my pajamas, I tried my best to stay mad at him.