Dare Me Not | 18+ ✔

23. Color Me Puzzled (Xander)

I can't stop observing Parker. Secretly. I may have worked with her only for over a month, but I dare say I know her much more than most people do in this dining room, including Tim. She's anxious about something, even though she has been masking it and engaging in the talk with the rest.

Unlike the girl I saw entering her dad's office in her skimpy skirt, she's now wearing a shirt in a reasonable size and high-waist baggy trousers. Her brown hair is pulled into a ponytail, and her makeup is nothing daring. She gives off an impression of a good girl and a rich businesswoman.

After we go back to the parlor, Parker sits behind the piano and plays a few songs for her old man. A few of them are the same songs she played a few years back on Tim's birthday; it must be a tradition they have for his day. She's not a professional pianist, but she knows how to handle musical instruments since she spent a few years attending piano lessons. It was probably not her choice because she's never talked about her passion for music since I knew her.

At ten thirty in the evening, everyone starts to feel silly. Faces turn red, laughs get louder, and the talks become dangerously out of control. I haven't drunk that much, but I'm not completely sober either. At least, I have enough control to act around Parker, not that she shows any interest in talking to me. I bet she's still mad at me.

I'm talking with Tim when she approaches us with her sweet smile.

"It's late. I think I need to go and check on Brit," she says to her dad, putting her phone into her clutch. The way she slightly bends over when she closes her bag allows me to see the gap between the buttons on her cream silk shirt, but I force my eyes to stay on her face. "She's not doing that well, seems like."

"That poor blonde girl. I hope nothing tragic happened to her," Tim replies but he doesn't look like he cares one bit.

"Nah. Nothing tragic. Just problems with boys and parents. Same shit, different boyfriend." I don't know who Brit is, but she sounds like someone important to Parker.

"Alright, I'll let you go now. But we need to have lunch soon. We haven't caught up lately." Tim opens his arms. "I really miss my little princes."

"Sure. We should do that sometime next week." Parker hugs and kisses her dad. "By the way, I sent Wyne home. Can Rony drive me to Brit's house?"

"It's his day off because I want him to celebrate my birthday too. Lemme find someone. Maybe Thomas can bring you."

"Dad, he's too old to drive. It's not safe," Parker says, shaking her head. "Never mind, I'll call a taxi."

"No. Taking a taxi this late is not safe, either. And you're alone." Tim says, forcing me to suppress my chuckle. He's clearly clueless about his own daughter.

"I can bring her," I blurt before Tim comes up with another name to take Parker.

She narrows her eyes. "You're drinking. Taxi is a hundred times safer than being in the car with you."

I smile at her scowl. She's cute every time she does this. "I'm with a driver, Parker. Do you think I'm that irresponsible?"

"Perfect. Perfect!" Tim claps his hands. "But Hunt, if you leave now, you'll miss the fun we're going to have after midnight." He laughs mischievously. "But I get it. You have a girlfriend...umm...Emma! Such an exquisite woman she is. You're one lucky man." He pats my shoulder. "It's too bad she can't be with us tonight. Next time then. Now off you go. Let's not make the poor blonde girl wait any longer."

If Parker doesn't like the idea of me taking her to the girl called Brit, she doesn't show it. I'm secretly glad she's not turning down my offer and insisting on taking a taxi. Maybe I'm lowkey giddy, and I blame the alcohol for this. At least I know she's not that pissed, otherwise, she wouldn't stand to be in the same car as me.