Dare Me Not | 18+ ✔

44. Take a Chance on Me (Xander)

I genuinely thought that discovering the fact about how little Emma valued me would break me into pieces, but that's not the case. The thick clouds in my mind slowly disappear into thin air, and it allows me to see where I stand with perfect clarity. It's liberating. Looking back, this was not how it started. She was more easygoing and understanding when I met her a few years back.

I dated several women before Emma, of course, but none of them stayed longer than three months because of my workload, and nothing I could do about it. I was busy focusing on my career, and finding a perfect woman could be challenging, especially if I didn't want to spend time and energy looking for them. Then came Emily West with her effortless charm and maturity. She didn't complain about my limited time because she appeared busy building her own business. Yes, it was a perfect arrangement at the perfect time. A perfect woman.

It's now clear that perfection is a matter of perception.

I sigh at the thought as I enter my street. My area is already as dead as a graveyard at 9 p.m. Most residents here are people who work in the business district downtown, me included. Only a few of us have kids, but most of those children are in their teenage years. I understand why this neighborhood doesn't attract new families with babies and toddlers. It's too clean, too stiff, and too much of city life. I'd probably move to a suburban area if I ever had kids.

The motion sensor light in my front yard is on. I'd think it's a neighborhood who passed by walking their dog after dinner if I didn't see a familiar car in my driveway. A sudden giddiness hits me. As soon as I park my car, I jump out and stride to Parker's car. Her window slowly slides down, revealing her pretty face. Her hair is messily tied up into a high bun; the usual hairstyle when she's home wearing an oversized shirt and a pair of hideous thick socks, with no bra on. Alright, let's not talk about bras right now.

"Why didn't you call?" I say once I stand next to her car. "I could have bought you flowers if I knew you came."

She smirks. "For what? Apologizing for getting us caught or for being a dick?"

"A bit of both."

Parker pushes the driver door open and leans to it once she closes it behind her. "Ok, joke aside," she says, her lips making a straight line. "What the fuck, Xander? Why did you quit?"

"I can ask you the same question."

"I'm the one who made the effort to drive here. I want my answer first."

"I drove to your place, too, if that counts. You weren't home."

"You did?"

"Yeah." I slip my hands into my pockets, wondering if I should invite her in. But then I chose to play safe for now because I still don't know why she's here. "I tried to call you before I headed to your place, but I kept getting forwarded to your voicemail."

"My phone is dead." She gestures at her phone that's now hooked to the car charger. "Was. It should have a few bars by now. I was going to turn it on and call you, but then you showed up. Perfect timing."

"Where were you? Anna also didn't know your whereabouts."

She chews her lower lip and hides her hands inside the pockets of her leather biker jacket. "I was at my campus the whole day. At the library, to be precise."

"Oh. Wow."

She rolls her eyes. "I know, I know. The damaged, hopeless Parker spending her afternoon at the library sounds like the end of the world."

I frown. "That's not what I said."

"I wanted to work on my final assignment, okay? I just want to get all the school stuff done. "