voice and to my surprise, Parker was peering over our shoulders at the same picture. “I thought that was you,” he said pleasantly with the same charming smile I remembered. “This is one of my favorite galleries.”
He looked exactly like he had the other day—jeans, t-shirt and a black backpack, although his t-shirt was an army green today instead of red.
“You two know each other?” Issy asked looking back and forth between us.
“Yes, in fact, you must be Issy, the fun and exciting roommate Avery told me about. I’m Parker.” He reached out his hand to shake hers.
Issy was overtly checking him out and then turned to me. “I like this guy.”
I just smiled, feeling a little embarrassed to be put on the spot, but Issy didn’t waste any time. “We are on our way to grab some dinner, wanna come?”
Parker looked at me for a confirmation, making me feel a little guilty for not being the one to ask. “Um yeah, you should come. We were just going to the sandwich hut down the street.”
“Hey, I should call Jake and see if he wants to join us,” Issy said mischievously as I flashed her a panicked stare even Parker picked up on.
“I’m sure he has other plans,” I stammered unable to process why Issy would be so cruel after our earlier conversation.
“Too late, I’ve already texted him and he is on the way.” There was a gleam in her eye, and I wanted to crawl in a hole.
“Ok then,” I said gritting my teeth and doing my best to keep a smile plastered on my face. “Let’s go.”
Issy was in true form as we walked to the restaurant. She latched her arm through Parker’s and started giving him the third degree. “So, how did you meet our Avery?”
“We actually met in the quad. She was sitting there, looking very lovely as she watched the sunset, and I just had to say ‘hi.’”
I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath until I finally released it. He didn’t mention that fateful night at all, or my total meltdown. I was once again impressed at his character and how he had gone out of his way twice now to spare my feelings.
“So you’re a student at Winsor then? What major?”
“Pre-med,” he answered.
“Wow, pre-med, what made you decide on that field?” At that point, I hit Issy as discretely as I could and gave her the look that said, What are you doing?
She ignored me and continued to wait for his reply.
“I love people, and I thought what better way is there to make a difference in their lives than to help them when they are in need of care? People are at their most vulnerable when they’re sick and I want to be someone that can give them peace, and if I’m lucky, healing too.” I was really starting to wonder if I had imagined him, because there was no way this guy was for real.
“You will love my cousin, Jake, then. He always says he’s the ultimate caretaker.”
I unknowingly sucked my breath in when she said that, which caused a coughing spasm so severe that we had to quit walking. All I could think of was how much I wanted to be in the photograph getting swallowed up by the vortex so I could escape this moment. Parker immediately came to my aid, patting my back and handing me a bottle of water he had in his backpack.
“Thank you,” I said between coughs until I finally got myself under control. “I don’t know what happened.”
Parker walked into the restaurant to get us a table, and Issy whispered in my ear, “He’s cute! Why didn’t you tell me about him?”
“Because there is nothing to tell,” I fired back. “I’m going to kill you, by the way!” Despite my irritation, I turned and smiled at Parker when he joined us again.
“They have a table ready now if you want to go in.”
“Great! Lead the way.” Issy was as playful as ever which was the only thing keeping me from a full-fledged panic attack. I had no idea how I was going to react with Jake in the room, and how much more awkward it was going to feel with Parker sitting right there. It wasn’t like he and I were dating or anything, but Jake brought out the worst in my insecurities, and I didn’t want Parker seeing that.
Parker pulled my chair out for me and then sat down adjacent to it, all