A server appeared, wearing a white button-up shirt, black satin waistcoat, and a bow tie.
Parker ordered a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, and the server disappeared again.
“So, you come here often, huh?” I asked.
Parker shrugged. “If I want to impress someone.”
“Why would you want to impress me?” I asked.
Parker cocked a grin at me. “Have youseenyou?”
I blushed wildly again. Dammit, he had this effect on me. I felt like a school girl who wasn’t used to getting attention, not a twenty-nine-year-old woman who had long stopped taking what men said as fact.
But when Parker complimented me, it felt like he really meant it. Parker wasn’t just trying to get into my pants.
Or maybe he was.
I sipped my wine and tried to tell myself that I objected to that. But the truth was that I didn’t.
We made small talk. We discussed the weather and current events. It was perfectly normal and perfectly bland.
Thank God. I didn’t want Parker to be interesting and fun and everything I’d always wished I would find in a man. I wanted him to be a waste of my time so I could get over this little crush I had on him. It was sobering that when he talked about the weather, I felt nothing. We sipped our wine and made perfectly cordial conversation.
The server arrived and Parker suggested we try the chef’s specials for the day. I agreed—why not?
When the server disappeared to get our starters, Parker turned his attention back to me.
“So, now that the small talk is out of the way and I’ve done everything according to the book ... tell me about you.”
“What?” I asked.
“You have your own business. That takes balls.”
“Balls?” I asked, surprised.
Parker laughed. “You heard me. It’s impressive that you’ve taken that leap. Not a lot of people have the courage to close their eyes and jump.”
I shrugged, feeling self-conscious. “I had to do something where I wasn’t dependent on other people, you know? I can’t answer to someone else all the time. I can’t be in a box my whole life without room to grow.”
Parker nodded. “I can relate to that.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I wanted to start my own company since I was in school. My dad raised us boys to stand on our own two feet. He was a hell of a man, but he never wanted us to follow in his footsteps and be known becausehewas known. He wanted us to make our own mark.”
“And that’s what you did,” I said.
Parker nodded. “And that’s what you’re doing.”
I shook my head. “I’m not so sure about making my own mark yet. I’m small fry compared to some of the design companies out there. Whenever I bid for a project, I expect them to say no because I’m no one special.”
“Don’t sell yourself short,” Parker said. “You have talent, Emily. More than you realize. I’ve seen your designs. Not just what you did for me but the portfolio on your website. Your work is unique.”
“You looked at my portfolio?” I asked, surprised.
“Of course,” Parker said. “I wanted to know who I’m working with. It’s a good business move to check you out.” He grinned. “Besides, I wanted to knowyou.”
“That’s not a business move,” I pointed out.