“Yeah, I like these SUV limos better than the obnoxious stretch limos,” Parker said, answering his cell phone.
Parker spent most of the drive with his cell phone to his ear. Our eyes met once, and he mouthed the word “sorry.” I just smiled and blew it off. After all, I was only with him because Victoria had insisted. I needed this little wake-up call anyway. The attraction I had been feeling for Parker should not be happening. I was going to be his sister-in-law.
Wouldn’t that be a crazy story to tell one day?
“Ruff, ruff, ruff.”
“Hey, girl, that’s a lot to say for such a tiny thing.”
“Ruff, ruff, ruff.”
Parker clearly wasn’t paying attention, so I reached forward and tapped the driver on the shoulder.
“Excuse me, but we need to pull over,” I said “Please pull over near the grass if you can. Tiny needs to go potty.”
He promptly put on his right blinker and slowly drifted to the right lane. Parker’s confused face was priceless, but what could I do? The little one had to go. She ran across the seat onto his lap panting.
“Come on, Tiny. Let’s get you out,” I said, scooping her up and sliding out of the car.
“I’ll have to call you back. It seems an urgent matter has come to my attention,” Parker said, standing outside of the car door. “Did you just call her Tiny?”
“Yes, I did,” I said. “If you don’t like it, then name her already.”
“I will name her when I think of the perfect name,” Parker said.
Tiny trotted back to the car, fully expecting me to pick her up and into the car like she had been doing this forever.
“That’s my girl,” Parker rubbed the puppies head. “Such a quick learner.”
We settled back in, and the driver merged onto the highway. I thought Parker was back in work mode by his steady stare straight ahead.
“What about Princess?” Parker said for than asked
I sputtered, wiped the spit off myself, and calmly said, “Well, it’s accurate. But I have to tell you—it’s a very precocious, stuffy name. Teacup is cute.”
“I don’t drink tea,” Parker said, a tad too grumpy.
Shoot, maybe I overstepped with my opinion. Now what am I supposed to say to that grumpy face.
“Hey, I’m sorry your mother forced me on you,” I cuddled the puppy to my neck. “I should keep my opinions to myself. I can go back. It’s not a problem either way.”
“What?” Parker barked. “Why would you say that?”
“The look on your face. The body language,” I said “If you were a dog, your tail would be down. Tucked under.”
Parker burst out laughing, totally taking me by surprise.
“Did you seriously just compare me to a dog?” Parker asked. “I don’t think I have ever had anyone do that to me.”
“Well, dogs are smart, attentive, and open with their feelings,” I explained. “I think I was wrong,” I muttered under my breath.
“I heard that,” Parker said playfully. “I think you forgot furry, thankful, and adorable.”
“Oh, brother, now you’re comparing yourself to a dog,” I said, laughing. “Tinkerbell is hiding her face under your arm after that comment.”
“Oh no, she is not a Tinkerbell,” Parker said. “And I am no Peter Pan.”
“Are you sure about that?” I said hiding behind the puppy at my neck. “You did rescue me and her.