every so often,” I reply, and look into the bottle to see the last little drops swishing around at the bottom. I tilt the bottle back and finish off the beer with a satisfied sigh. Before I have a chance to say anything, Larry places more bottles down on the table in front of Parker.
“Here’s two more, Parker. Drink responsibly,” he says, popping the tops off of them too. Then he winks at me, which I find both nice and creepy at the same time.
Sliding over the second bottle, Parker says, “I think you need this more than I do,” flashing that seductive grin of his.
“I don’t need to get wasted, Parker. I have to drive home soon. And how will I explain beer breath to my dad?”
“You’re not supposed to be home for another three hours, and we’ve got more to talk about. So hush, drink up, and we’ll worry about your dad later,” he states, clinking our bottlenecks together.
“Peer pressure can be a bitch sometimes.”
“Yes it can.”
I start feeling the effects of the beer after a few more swigs. I think I drank the first one way too fast, especially since I haven’t had anything to eat since my meager lunch.
“So, who do you think Unknown is?” Parker asks out of the blue.
“I have no idea. There really aren’t any clues, and it’s not like I can analyze the evidence, since there is none. I want to tell everyone about this, but it seems like when I do, no one believes me.”
“I said I believe you,” he reminds me, placing his hand on mine. His touch feels warm and comforting, causing me to beam. Looking over at him, I’m swept away by his beautiful eyes and soft grin, but only for a moment.
“I can’t, Parker. Not with everything else that’s going on,” I say, sliding my hand from under his and grabbing for the beer bottle.
“I’m not asking you to,” he replies. “I just want you to know that you’re not alone in this.” He takes my hand in his again and moves a little closer to me.
“Why do you do this?” I ask abruptly.
“Why do I do what?”
“Make yourself so irresistible, even though the other person should resist you at all costs.”
“Dani, look at me,” he says, moving his hand to my chin, and turning my head to face him. “I care about you, and what happens to you. I’m not here to fool you or lie to you. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you about my ex-girlfriend. I know I can be a complete dick at times, but this is just me being here for you—nothing more, nothing less, okay?”
I nod my head as a tear falls down my cheek. For a second, I almost forget we’re in some seedy bar named "Larry’s." All I can see is Parker’s serious face right before mine, and I sense that he’s not lying to me. I know he has in the past, but this feels genuine. His eyes tell me all I need to know.
He lets out a soft chuckle, breaking the silence between us. His face becomes serious again when he says, “And speaking of irresistible, you might want to turn that statement around on yourself. It’s taking everything in my power not to kiss you right now, but I know that’s not what you need, so I won’t.”
Parker’s always had a way with words.
The heat between us is intense as his face hovers close to mine. Damn, I love that cologne he wears, and thankfully it’s not mixing with the awful smells that permeate through this place. I’d hate for his scent to be ruined for me. All I smell is Parker.
When I return my gaze to my half-empty beer bottle, I feel him move to rest against the back of the booth.
“Parker?”
“Yeah?”
“Aren’t you scared?” I ask, turning to face him again.
“Shitless. Hence, the alcohol. But it’s a little too late for me to turn and run now, right?” he replies before leaning forward to get closer to me again. “We’re in this together, Dani. You have my word on that.”
“That’s actually what I’m afraid of. If you go, there’s no one standing between this asshole and me. But if you stay, you could be the next body they find,” I explain, getting misty-eyed.
He leans in even closer than he was before, “How many times do I have to tell you?” he begins in a whisper. “I’m not going anywhere. And there’s no one who