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He parked the truck at a viewpoint that overlooked the dunes by the ocean and smoothed a blanket over the bed of his truck. The hot July night air hung thick all around and it felt like there was nothing else in the world but us and our beating hearts. We laid together on our backs in the dark staring up at the onyx sky counting stars and making silent wishes on the falling ones.
I still remember him leaning over to kiss me, one hand on my cheek and the other hand pressing into my hip. Our bodies pressed together as my arms wrapped around him, pulling him into me. I wanted it and I could feel he wanted it too.
We are written in the stars, Livy. He whispered in my ear and I was gone. Drowning so far in the depths of Parker that I never wanted to come up for air.
Ours hands were touching, grabbing, taking whatever we could get from one another. Our clothes were off in seconds, our mouths greedily tasting each other. We drew apart for a moment and his eyes locked on mine, making sure this was what I wanted. He was so sweet and kind. He didn’t want me to feel pressured but there was nothing on that earth that I wanted more. He slid himself into me slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. I closed my eyes, the emotions running though me with such intensity it all went black and I saw stars. Beautiful bright white stars that rivalled the ones in the sky. He rocked back and forth taking it slow like he was afraid to hurt me. I asked for more and he gave it to me, harder and harder until we both came undone. I remember feeling the adrenaline pumping through my veins as he collapsed over top of me and whispered, he loved me. It was perfect. Our perfect moment, and I’ve never been able to erase it from my mind.
He brought me home later that night and we sat in each other’s arms by the pool, not wanting to say goodbye. Once we started kissing, I never wanted to stop.
“Hello? Earth to Olivia!”
I’m jolted from the memory at the sound of my sister’s voice.
“Ellie and I were just saying that looks like Jace at the bar, wearing the black button up?”
I look to my left, at the crowded bar. “Oh. Yeah, it is him,” I reply. “Do you guys mind if I run over for a second? I should go say hi.”
“If you don’t, one of us will. Olivia, I don’t get it, he is seriously hot. Look at him. How have you not slept with him yet? You have some major willpower that I don’t have.” I could be wrong, but Ellie might be drooling as she says it.
“It’s not like that between us. We are just friends. There’s just never been that spark. I’ll be back in a minute.”
I make my way to the bar to where Jace is standing with a friend. The girls are right, he does look good. Handsome in a pair of dark jeans, his black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled to his forearms, showing off his caramel-colored skin.
When I first met him in college, Jace was seeing a pretty girl named Faith; she was two years younger than us, from Rhode Island. It is probably one of the reasons we have never dated. It was impossible not to like her. Faith and I hit it off right away, spending Friday nights at the pub on campus with Jace and a group of friends we all had in common. Unfortunately for Jace, Faith had big plans and once she graduated from college, she packed her bags and her VW and moved to the west coast. A long-distance relationship worked for a minute but eventually it fizzled and Jace broke things off.
“Jace.” I beam, surprising him from behind.
“Hey Liv. It’s really nice to see you. You look beautiful.” He wraps his arms around me, pulling me close. “Who are you here with?”
“Kate and Ellie.” I motion to our table where they are sitting, clearly amused about something. Ellie’s head is thrown back in a roaring laugh while Kate looks like she is on the verge of tears. “An emergency girls’ night was apparently on their agenda today, so here we are.”
“Nice. It’s good to see you here and not working the night away. Hey, let me buy you a drink. Pick your passion.” He motions to the bartender and I order a gin and tonic. He then introduces me to his friend Matt, who is standing next to us in a deep discussion with a blonde who is very obviously a fan of the push-up bra and wing tipped eyeliner. I’m not usually this judgmental. I swear.
“Are you guys waiting on a table or sitting at the bar?” I ask him. “I’m sure we could ask the waitress if she could squish you two in with us at our table if you want?” I know it’s girls’ night, but I also know the two single girls at my table wouldn’t mind. The question is whether we can peel Matt away.
“That sounds fun, but busting in on girls’ night also sounds dangerous.”
“Trust me Jace, there will be no complaints and besides, the more the merrier, right?” I glance around the restaurant looking for our waitress to ask her for two more chairs.
The bartender hands me my drink and Jace and I raise our tumblers, toasting to a good night and great friends. My open V-neck sweater slips off my shoulder and down my arm. Jace reaches to draw it back on my shoulder just as my eyes move towards the main entrance of the restaurant. My heart seizes and my knees go weak as I brace myself on the bar. I am staring right at that beautiful man who once stole my heart, the heart that no one since him has been able to claim.
Parker is here, looking sexier than ever, with a look in his eyes that tells me I’m in serious trouble.
Parker
She notices me as soon as I walk into Catch 21. My eyes find hers immediately, along with the asshole who has his hands all over her. To say it annoys the fuck out of me is an understatement.
Who the hell is this guy and why is she with him?
Part of me wants to walk right over there and tell him to get the hell away from her, but I fight the urge, knowing that would only make me look like a jackass.
The room - full of people dining, drinking and out for a good time – falls silent in my head. It’s just her and I alone in the space. Her full lips part and fall open as she meets my gaze. Her big, cocoa colored eyes wide with shock.
She looks good enough to eat in her off-the-shoulder sweater dress and high heel boots that end at her knees, her golden hair flowing in waves down her back. I try to keep my cool and keep myself together, giving her a half smile as I walk to my table behind Miles, Liam and Hunter, my hands clenched into tight fists. I will let the air settle between us before I make my move.
We are seated at our table inside and I make sure to take the seat that gives me the best view of the restaurant and Livy. The guys haven’t noticed her yet and I’m hoping it will stay that way for as long as possible to avoid the questions and most likely a lengthy interrogation.
Our server comes to the table and Hunter is quick to order us a round of shots. Miles flirts with the waitress, who brings us our drinks a few minutes later.
