to be they’d look at her with patience and, when she was really lucky, a hint of fondness. Now that Parker had gotten older there was a lot of irritation. But it wasn’t her fault his mother made him watch out for her and Reese when Amber’s mom wasn’t around.
She clutched his arm. ‘You can’t tell my mom,’ she croaked out.
‘Aw, come on, Amber.’ Parker’s face scrunched up tight. ‘You nearly freakin’ died.’
‘I did not.’
He rolled his eyes in that ever-sarcastic ‘yeah, right’ way of his. ‘What if you get sick or something?’ he said. ‘She needs to know.’
And be grounded? Amber had been looking forward to summer vacation for months. As the daughter of Ms. Michael’s personal assistant, Amber had practically grown up in the Michaels’ home. Parker never visited his mother in the city anymore, so summer at the Hamptons was the only time she got to see him.
She pulled harder, panicking now. ‘If you tell, I’ll—I’ll—’
Her mind sputtered as she scrambled to come up with a good threat. And then a memory filled her mind. A vision of Parker, lids rimmed red, sniffing as she stumbled on him down by the dock. He’d yelled at her, of course, scrubbing at his face as he’d told her to scram. As always, her heart hurt when Parker got that look in his eyes. And the only person in the world that could make Parker that upset was his mother. It had been a long time since she’d seen him sad about his mom. Lately, his reactions more often resembled anger.
She straightened up. ‘I’ll tell Susie Frances that I caught you crying like a baby.’
His gaze flashed to hers. ‘I was not crying,’ he said. ‘I got salt water in my eyes, is all.’
They both knew it was a lie, and she fought the temptation to look away. This was too important.
‘Fine,’ he said. And then he jabbed a finger in front of her face. ‘But you have to stop the creepy stalker stuff.’
Heat flaring up her face, she was horrified by the words. Had she been that obvious?
Suddenly, she wished she’d been swallowed up by the waters of Sag Harbor. ‘Fine,’ she said, mimicking him. But then her bravery ran out, her voice growing small. ‘I don’t suppose we can find the paddleboard?’
Parker stood, and right away she missed the heat of his skin. He swiped a hand through his hair, leaving it spikier than usual. ‘The board’s long gone.’
Jeez, it all seemed so unfair. Blinking back the tears, she looked across the water. Petrified Parker would see her cry, she dragged her hand across her eyes and sniffed. Another shiver racked her body, and the rustle of clothing brought her attention back to Parker.
He’d taken off his hoodie. ‘Don’t worry about it, Ace,’ he said gruffly, pulling his sweatshirt down over her head.
Her heart soared, both from the touch and the words and the protective tone in his voice. And she’d always adored his nickname for her. She jabbed her arms into the damp sleeves, savoring the heat from his body, the smell of Parker.
‘I’ll take the blame for the board.’ Those too-beautiful lips flattened grimly. A dark look crossed his face. ‘My mom already hates me, anyway.’
A needle pricked her heart, the sharp pain familiar. Ms. Michael was all Reese Reese Reese, spoiling her daughter rotten. But Parker? He barely even existed in the Michael household. No wonder he chose to live with his dad.
‘Thanks,’ she said, hoping she wasn’t tearing up like a baby again.
His lopsided smile appeared, leaving her weak in the knees as he said, ‘Let’s get you home.’
* * *
Parker gripped his whiskey glass.
Amber Davis.
Discovering the redhead’s identity had been like a cattle-prod shock to Parker’s nervous system, his mind reeling with the memories of his youth. He struggled to ignore the beautiful woman who’d trailed after him as a kid, hanging on his every word. His every move. The one who’d witnessed his most humiliating moment.
You were a mistake.
Tossing back the rest of his drink, he tried to focus on his goals for tonight. Avoid his mother at all costs, speak to Reese and tell her no and then get the heck out of here.
Attention firmly on him, Amber asked, ‘Do you remember—?’
‘Yeah,’ he said gruffly, fixing his eyes on his empty glass. No way was he letting her finish that question. ‘I remember.’
He could feel Amber’s gaze, but he needed a minute to adjust. Several of them, actually. Because he sure as hell wasn’t ready to face the lady who, years ago, had found him sniffling like a wussy little girl.
Thank God for his cell phone.
Parker glanced at the incoming number flashing in time with the vibration, answering with his pat ‘What’s up, Robby boy?’
‘Why aren’t you at Rosie’s Bar?’
Parker let out a discontented grunt, longing for the bar that was the watering hole for most of the fifty-seventh precinct. His gaze swept across the elegantly attired guests at the restaurant, the fancy venue most likely chosen for its bird’s-eye view of Manhattan. The only bright spot had been the pretty redhead that he’d known was too sweet and all kinds of wrong for him. Resisting a little harmless flirting had been impossible.
But, man, was that ever a freakin’ mistake.
‘I’m busy,’ Parker said to his partner as he shot a look at Amber.
Creamy skin, wide mouth and eyes the color of maple syrup. Her auburn hair was pulled back in some sleek knot that looked more professional than dressy. If he’d known she was gonna turn into a stunning redhead, he might have actually paid more attention. But she had been all knobby kneed, gap-toothed, with gangly arms and legs. A quiet kid.
A lamb among wolves at the Michael household.
He’d always felt a little sorry for her, a bit protective. Some of that had been drilled into him, to watch over Reese and Amber when Amber’s mother couldn’t. And more than anyone, he knew how it felt to be an outsider in the Michael household.
Now Amber was gorgeous, but there was still a lingering sense of the innocent openness that she’d had as a child. He could see it in her clear, honest eyes, the face that left everything on display. Parker couldn’t remember ever being innocent.
Had stopped believing in innocence long ago.
Gaze locked with the redhead’s, Parker spoke to Rob, who was waiting patiently on the other end of the phone. ‘Trust me,’ he said. ‘I’d rather be spilling a beer with my partner at Rosie’s Bar than at this fancy restaurant.’
‘Get your butt down here,’ Rob said.
‘Sorry, Robby boy.’ Christamighty was Parker sorry he was here instead of there. ‘Got something I’ve got to
