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“Yeah,” she grumbles. “I wanted to work on actual listings, but this is crazy. He keeps pushing all the extra work onto me. He just assumes I can take it all with no issue because I’m not married and don’t have kids. Then, there’s also this client I’m working with who’s just been a headache…ugh, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to rant.”
“It’s okay,” I say. “Rant away! I’m all ears.” I mean it, too. I’m not just saying it to score extra points. After days of not really getting to talk to or spend any time with her, it’s nice just to be able to catch up. Plus, I know what it’s like to need to vent after a long’s day work, and if I can provide her with a sympathetic ear, then I will.
“Alright,” she concedes with a deep sigh. “So, this client, right? He has absolutely no idea what he wants. One minute, he’s insisting on a house in the suburbs. The next, he wants a penthouse in downtown. And let’s not even get started on his budget, which seems to be as flexible as a rubber band. To top it all off, he’s constantly requesting meeting times and then canceling at the last minute. It’s incredibly frustrating.”
“Sounds like a piece of work,” I reply.
“Oh, you don’t know the half of it,” she answers. “It’s just…everything is so overwhelming right now, and I feel guilty. I wanted Holt to give me a chance and have me do real work, but it’s getting to be too much.”
My heart twists in my chest, and I want to reach through the phone and wrap my arms around her. I don’t really know if there’s anything I can do to help, but I hate knowing she’s feeling so stressed.
“How about you come over to my place after work? I can go over some of your listings with you and help you put a game plan together to tackle them all. We can order pizza and relax a bit. Does that sound good?”
She doesn’t respond for a few moments.
“That actually sounds really good,” she finally says. “Are you sure, though? I don't want to be taking up your time when you could be doing something else.”
I chuckle, twirling my pen between my fingers more swiftly.
“Chloe,” I say, “I can’t think of a better way to spend my evening than helping you. Besides, I’ve been missing you.”
Her breath hitches audibly over the line, and I just know she’s blushing. Thinking about it makes me grin.
“Alright, then,” she replies after clearing her throat. “Should I bring anything?”
“Just yourself and anything you need for work,” I instruct. “I'll take care of everything else.”
“Okay,” she murmurs. “Thank you, Parker.”
“Anytime, Chloe.”
We say our goodbyes, and I hang up the phone. Leaning back in my chair, I can’t keep the smile off my face. For the first time in days, there’s something to look forward to: an evening with Chloe. I find myself looking forward to the night with excitement. It’s not just about helping with her listings. It’s about being a part of her world, easing her stress, and maybe, just maybe, experiencing more of the mind-blowing pleasure we shared the last time we were together.
Chapter nine
Chloe
As soon as I hang up with Parker, a rush of mixed emotions surges through me. Excitement, anticipation, nervousness, relief. They all swirl together in a heady concoction that leaves me jittery in my seat. I’ve been so consumed with work the last few days that the prospect of spending an evening away from it all, and more importantly with him, seems almost surreal.
I lean back in my chair and let out a long sigh, running a hand through my tousled hair. It’s been an exhausting day, and the thought of spending time with Parker, even if we do a little work before giving in to our desires, is incredibly comforting.
Getting up from my desk, I gather all my scattered listings and sort them out into a neat pile. As I do so, I can’t help but replay our conversation in my head over and over again. His offer to help was a sweet surprise; it shows a side of him that’s not just charm and flirtation but genuine care. I mean, he could have just invited me over for pizza. He didn’t have to offer to help me with my work.
Then, there were those other words he spoke that made my cheeks flare red. “I’ve been missing you.” They hit me like a punch to the gut. There was something so raw and sincere about them that it makes me shiver to recall them.
Not wanting to delve deeper into this confusing territory, though, I quickly shake off these thoughts and focus on getting through the rest of the day.
***
A couple hours later, I find myself standing outside Parker’s front door, clutching my paperwork against my chest. I’m a mess, both inside and out. I run my fingers through my hair, trying to tame it, but I’m certain that it’s still a frizzy mess. Giving up, I take a deep breath and hit the doorbell. A moment later, Parker opens it, smiling widely at me.
“Hey, gorgeous,” he greets me warmly, making me blush instantly. “Glad you could make it.”
I smile back at him weakly, suddenly feeling extremely self-conscious under his gaze.
“Hey…” I mumble back shyly. “Thanks for…this.”
“No need to thank me, Chloe.” With a smile, he ushers me inside.
