"You've been alone long enough," Tara says, undeterred. "Jessica might be just the right person to change that."
“I want to do things... differently with her. But I don’t even know if I can.”
“It’s important that you want to. I knew something was up when you asked if you could bring her too. You’ve never invited anyone.”
"She had some troubles at work and was upset. I thought she needed a distraction."
"You care about her.”
I nod slowly. Tara claps her hands. “This is excellent.”
“Or risky.”
“But it’ll be worth it.”
The jury is still out on that, but I find myself hoping Tara is right. She often is. It's been like that for as long as I can remember. Since we were teens. Tara and Helen needed someone to protect them when they got into the kind of trouble you don't ask your parents to get you out of. Well, Helen more than Tara. As far as group dynamics go, Tara was the good girl. But Helen and I did enough bullshit to even the balance. Especially me.
I want her to be right. This thing with Jessica goes far beyond physical attraction, and I find myself out of my depths.
***
Jessica
When I finish the exploration of the castle, I head back to the foyer and find that Parker and Tara have returned. They’re taking off their coats. I don't know why, but I was imagining Parker and Tara to be wearing some sort of ridiculous golf outfits. Would've made for a good laugh, but they are dressed disappointingly normal. Still, the sight of Parker—a thin sheet of sweat covering his forehead—momentarily cuts my breath short. He really is something to look at. I blush when I see him rearranging the collar of his sweater with his fingers, remembering everything he did to me last night with those same fingers.
Parker's head snaps in my direction, and the fervor I recognize in his blue eyes sends shivers rippling through me. I bite my lip, looking away. Dani enters the house a few seconds later.
"You're awake," Dani says to me, grinning.
"By the looks of it, also fully fed," Parker says. I lift my hand to my mouth, and discover that I have some food remnants at the corners of my mouth. I wipe it away the best I can, and then grin.
"Nothing worse than starting the day hungry," I say.
"I agree," Tara announces. "Which is why I'm planning to eat an entire cow next. I didn't have any breakfast."
"I'll join you," Dani says.
"Hey," Parker calls, just as the two head to the kitchen, "I thought we were heading out for a hike."
Dani snickers. "No, Parker. You suggested that, and Tara and I pretended not to hear you. I am so not hiking."
Parker stares from Tara to Dani as if they just declared open war on him. He recovers and then shouts, "Helen, what about you?"
Helen's voice resonates from the living room. "Sorry. I want to be a hermit this weekend."
Parker raises his hands in exasperation. Then his eyes meet mine, and I have a sinking feeling that he's not going to spare me the question. "How about you, Jess?"
"Umm . . ." I say, glancing at Dani and Tara, hoping to get them to back me up. But they're both laughing.
"Take my jumper if you go," Tara says, pointing to a sweater on the hanger. "It's chilly outside, even if it’s almost August."
I look at Parker. "How long is that hike?"
"Depends how fast we are. But it's beautiful there. It's . . ." I don't hear the rest of the sentence as the expression on his face mystifies me. It's like he's suddenly a few years younger, an innocent enthusiasm emanating from every line on his face. I've never seen him like this.
“I’ll make you a deal. I’ll walk with you to the lake, if we go into town first. I’ve googled Worcester just now, and I’m not leaving here without exploring it too.”
Tara whistles loudly. “Parker, you’re in big trouble.”