Parker (Rich & Single #2) (14 page)

“Budge over,” Lydia said, stealing a space on the couch between Parker and Jackson, and looking pleased with herself when she got settled in it, the bowl of popcorn on her lap.

“You're getting awfully pushy, you know,” Parker said, looking down at the top of her blonde head.

“Yeah, but you love it,” she retorted.

Parker laughed. He wasn't even going to deny it. The confidence that Lydia had built up working with him was a definite perk, and he was always happy to see it manifesting. She was, if he was honest, the client he was the proudest of taking on, and her progress had been kind of astonishing. He glanced at Jackson, and found his business partner shaking his head, but there was a smile on his lips. Parker picked up the remote, turning it to face the entertainment center at the other end of the room.

“You ready for this?” he asked them both.

“Totally ready,” Lydia said.

Jackson gave him a thumbs up. Parker hit the button to turn on the television.

“And now we're going to the news you've all been waiting for tonight,” the show’s host said as the picture came to life. She smiled into the camera. “Twelve weeks ago, Parker, of Health and Fitness Sports Club, decided to go head to head against Lioness Home Fitness' Jennifer Leandra to see who could really help anyone get fit. Tonight, we're going to find out who won.”

Lydia bumped her shoulder against Parker's, and when he looked down at her she was grinning. “Come on,” she said. “We totally won.”

“We might not have,” Parker said, because he didn't want to see her get too hung up on it and then spiral down when they didn't. He reached for a handful of popcorn. “Jennifer’s a pretty worthy opponent. You saw Tom.”

“Yeah, but you're still better.” She settled a little deeper into the couch cushions and they fell silent again.

“As you know,” the show’s host was saying, “the contest involved each contestant picking out a client to train. Over a period of twelve weeks they worked on fitness, and changing habits for better health. Once a week, each team released a progress video, along with various Instagram pics and other social media pieces throughout. They also had check-ins with doctors to make sure that progress was going in the right direction. At the end of the time period, they ran the trainees through a series of tests for strength and endurance, and doctors recorded the difference between starting health statistics and ending stats.”

The picture shifted as she spoke, showing images of Lydia and Tom with Parker and Jennifer, from the early days until the last week. Video clips of Lydia lifting weights and Tom jogging popped up on the screen.

“Wow,” Lydia said. “I can't believe how much different I look.”

“Hey, I'm good at what I do.”

“The best,” Lydia agreed.

Maybe not the best, Parker didn’t say, because no matter what happened in the contest, he was happy with where he stood. He knew Jennifer and Tom were watching, too, just down the hall in their own green room, all of them waiting to be summoned out for the big reveal.

There were a lot of different ways they could have gone with the announcement. Parker had told Jackson to handle it, because he didn’t care, and in the end Jackson and Jennifer had decided on a live television reveal, which was probably the best option if what they were going for was publicity. Their shocked faces would go up on national television, and then the entire country would know who they were. Or at least that was the theory. Frankly, Parker could have done without the national television angle; he was really getting tired of watching out for photographers hiding in bushes.

“They’re getting close,” Lydia said suddenly, elbowing him in the side to get his attention.

Parker looked up at the television. They were rambling through the rationale for the different tests they’d run. That meant that they’d want everyone out on stage for the announcement in just a few minutes. Parker ran a hand through his hair to straighten it out.

Video of Lydia and Tom running played. Parker couldn’t quite hide his smug smile. Lydia had won that race, and not just because Tom had started the contest in physical therapy. After twelve weeks, his leg was well and truly healed. He’d beaten her at the shorter run, his longer stride giving him an advantage in the sprint, but Lydia had the endurance.

The door opened, and an aide stuck his head in. “We’re ready for you guys. Come on out.”

They stood, Lydia brushing a stray piece of popcorn off her shirt, and headed for the door and out onto the stage. Jackson waved from the couch as they left. Parker had argued that he should come, too, but the show had insisted that it would just be Jennifer and Tom from Lioness Home Fitness, and that Lydia and Parker should be a matching pair.

Out in the audience, people were screaming and waving their hands as he and Lydia stepped through the door. Parker grinned at them, lifting a hand in a wave that made them cheer louder. On the other side of the stage, Lydia and Tom were standing together, both of them in workout gear the same as he and Lydia.

“Finally,” the host said. “The moment you’ve all been waiting for. Please welcome Jennifer Leandra of Lioness Home Fitness and her partner Tom, and Parker of Fitness and Health Sports Club and his partner Lydia.”

Everyone cheered again. Parker smiled, and tried not to look as anxious as he felt. At his side, he could feel Lydia shifting a little closer, nervous in front of the live audience and the multiple cameras. He instantly calmed, reached out and caught her hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. Everything was going to be okay, he’d promised her, and it was true. No matter who won, they’d done something great. She squeezed back.

“So, Jennifer,” the host said. “What will you do if Parker wins?”

Jennifer laughed. “Well, Pam, that’s a moot question. Parker isn’t going to win.”

“And what about you, Parker?” Pam asked, turning to look at him. “What will you do if Jennifer wins?”

Parker smiled at the camera. “Go home and have a beer.”

Laughter went up in the audience, and a few people cheered.

“Seriously, though,” Parker said. “It doesn’t matter who wins. All that matters is that my client is happy with the progress she’s made and feeling good in her own skin.”

More cheers, and he could see that he’d pulled Pam in. She gave him a wide smile.

That’s awfully noble of you.”

“It’s just my job.” He could practically hear Jennifer grinding her teeth, but he saw that when they turned back to her she was smiling.

“Anything to say to that, Jennifer?” Pam asked.

“Obviously,” Jennifer said, “I’m happy if Tom is. He and I have worked really hard to get where we are now, and his satisfaction with that is definitely important.” Her smile widened. “But we’d both be happier if we won.”

This time the audience laughed for her.

“One more thing,” Pam said, “before we go to the announcement from the judges. And this is a question for both of you.”

There was an anticipation hanging in the air that Parker wasn’t sure he liked. He was pretty sure he knew where the question was going, and equally sure that Jackson was in the green room tearing his hair out because he couldn’t be out on stage to offer advice on the best answer.

“Two weeks ago, you two attended a fancy soiree held by one of Fitness and Health Sports Club’s big investors. Rumor has it you disappeared together for quite a while there.” She raised her eyebrows at them. “America wants to know what happened behind closed doors.”

Parker glanced over at Jennifer. She was smiling a little too wide to really be believable. Beside her, Tom looked like he’d rather be somewhere else. He looked down at Lydia, who gave him a shrug that said whatever he’d done with Jennifer wasn’t her problem.

“I don’t really think that’s America’s business, Pam,” Parker said, in the same moment as Jennifer opened her mouth. “What I, or anyone else, does behind closed doors is the business of the person involved.”

If it had been just him, he wouldn’t have minded. But he wasn’t going to drag Jennifer into it if she didn’t want to be. They should have talked about before this. It had been a given that rumors would get out about that night.

“And here I thought you were the open and forthcoming type,” Pam said, more teasing than unhappy. “I mean, I did read your
Rich & Single
interview.”

“Whatever did happen,” Jennifer said before Parker could speak. “Neither of us have anything to be ashamed of, so why don’t you just get to the part we’re actually here to talk about before I decide this is a waste of my time.”

Damn, she was hot when she was angry. Especially when she was angry in tight blue spandex. Parker found himself wishing for a room with a locked door. He pulled his gaze away.

“Well,” Pam said, her voice a little less steady than it had been. “Why don’t we cut right to the chase, huh?” She looked out over the audience. “Everybody ready?”

Parker took the answering cheer as a yes. Triumphant music started playing in the background.

“And the winner,” Pam said, pulling an envelope out of a drawer in her podium, “According to doctor’s results and fitness tests, is…”

Lydia’s hand squeezed Parker’s tight enough to almost hurt.

“Parker!” Pam shouted, and the audience screamed.

Lydia threw her arms around him, and Parker hugged her tight. In the hubbub, he looked across at Jennifer, who was shaking her head, a smile on her lips. She glanced his way, and for a moment their eyes met. Parker shrugged. She rolled her eyes, but the smile didn’t leave her mouth. He looked away again.

Someone was shoving a microphone into his face.

“What do you have to say about the win, Parker? Are you happy?”

Parker disentangled himself from Lydia and held up a hand. The room fell almost silent.

“My slogan is ‘I can make anyone fit.’ And this contest was designed to prove that true. But I’ll tell you something. Even I can’t work with someone who doesn’t want to take the necessary steps. Lydia has more motivation and heart than anyone else I’ve ever worked with, and she’s the one you should be celebrating tonight.” He grinned and nodded respectfully at Lydia. “She has worked through more than some people handle in a lifetime. This is her victory. I just cheered her on.” He took a step back.

The man with the microphone hesitated, but Lydia was already moving forward to take it.

“Don’t let him be that modest,” she said. “He’s the reason I have the courage to stand here today. I used to be so scared. Of not being enough. Of not looking the way everyone thought I should look.” She straightened and smiled at the cameras. “I’m not perfect now. I still have bad days. And it’s still a work in progress. This isn’t a road that’s going to end any time soon. Without Parker, I wouldn’t have even known where to start. He’s been my guide all the way through the last twelve weeks, and I honestly couldn’t have picked a better one.” She punched a fist pump into the air. “Parker
can
get anyone fit, and I’m the walking proof of that.”

The audience was screaming again, and Jackson was probably doing a happy dance in the green room. They couldn’t have come up with better answers if they’d been scripted. The microphone moved on to Jennifer and Tom. They took the time to ask them a few questions, but the audience didn’t care. They had their winner.

As the show was wrapping up, Parker smiled.

Finally, the fucking contest was over.

“So,” Jackson said, pulling his laptop out of his bag and setting it on Parker’s desk. “What now? You’re out of the spotlight and back to your everyday routine. Any big plans?”

Parker laughed. “You know better than that, Jackson.”

“Ready to be out of the spotlight for a while?” Jackson asked, even though Parker knew he already had the answer to his question.

“More than,” Parker answered. “What happens now is that I go on with work. I keep moving forward with Lydia; she’s still got a while to go, really. And she’s actually thinking about being a personal trainer.”

“Somehow I’m not surprised,” Jackson said dryly.

“And I’ve got that new client,” Parker said, ignoring his tone. “That underwear model. I’ve got to finish working out his schedule and look at the diet plan he sent me. He’s supposed to come in tomorrow afternoon for a more in-depth consult.”

Jackson nodded. “On the business front, we’re doing great. That contest was all the publicity that I hoped it would be, and the fact that you won is just icing on the cake—and I knew all along you would win. We’re set for years on that alone. The rate of new client acquisitions may not stay as high once the news has become a little less fresh, but I’m not concerned about that. We’re straining the limits of our staff as it is. We’re probably going to have to make a couple new hires.”

“I’m not opposed. Let me know when I need to interview.” He grinned.
Jackson knew all along? Bull- shit!

“Will do.” Jackson closed his laptop again, and slid it away as he spoke.

Parker raised an eyebrow. “Packing up so soon?”

“Hey, I do occasionally have places to be. And that’s really all there is to say this time. We’re doing great. Keep doing what you’re doing.” He glanced down at his watch, back up at Parker. “And now it’s time for dinner. So I’m out.”

Jackson almost never left for dinner.

“You have a hot date to make?” Parker asked.

“Something like that,” Jackson answered, throwing a smile back over his shoulder and disappearing out the door.

Parker laughed, and opened Sebastian’s schedule.

***

The morning air was crisp, fall truly settling in. It was still too early for most of the tourists to be out and about and the bridge was nearly empty. Parker breathed in and then out again, listening to the thump of his feet against the wood of the walkway. It was good to get away from it all for a while.

At least, it was until the sound of lighter footsteps than his own pulled him out of his contemplation of the Hudson.

“Well,” a voice that was now familiar said just behind his shoulder, “fancy meeting you here.”

Parker turned his head to look at Jennifer. “Are you stalking me?”

“Maybe great minds just think alike,” she answered, a little breathless from running in a way that made him think of that night at the party. He couldn’t afford to think about that while he was on a run. Not if he wanted to keep being able to move at his usual pace. “What do you want, sunshine?”

“Why do I have to want anything?” She was keeping pace with him easily, despite his longer stride. “Maybe I’m just out for an early morning run, same as you.”

“I don’t believe in that kind of coincidence.

Jennifer laughed. “Fair enough. I just wanted to talk to you, after everything that happened.”

“You’re not mad about losing the contest?” Parker asked. This firecracker had the habit of going off when he least expected it. He should probably be prepared for… something. He just had no idea what.

“Mad? Why would I be?” She shook her head. “No. I got the publicity I wanted. My company is growing almost faster than I can keep up with it. There’s nothing to be mad about.”

“And all that mocking and trying to drive me crazy during the competition?”

“I really did just want to get in your pants,” she said, the smile audible in her voice.

“There are easier ways to get there,” Parker pointed out.

“The easiest way is almost never the most fun way,” Jennifer teased. “Besides, tell me that wasn’t hot. All that tension, when you finally let go it’s just… explosive.”

“You have a problem,” Parker said. Definitely a damn firecracker. He grinned despite himself and tried to hide it.

“Probably,” she agreed. “But it’s a fun problem.”

“Only if you enjoy being tormented.” He paused. “Or tormenting, in your case.”

“Oh, but I do.” She turned her head to grin at him. “And lucky for me, you enjoy the torment just enough to keep coming back for more.”

Parker scoffed. “You’re the one stalking me, the last I checked.”

“And you’re the one letting me do it,” she countered.

That was kind of true, Parker had to admit. If he really didn’t want to see her, he would have told her to go away. But he hadn’t. They were still running side by side, at a companionably relaxed pace, and the argument hadn’t escalated to wanting to push her off the bridge, even if she was back at the teasing.

Back at the teasing that had apparently meant she was trying to get in his pants.
Oh
. He should have picked up on that faster. “Are you telling me that it’s my fault you won’t go away?”

“Do you really want me to go away?” she asked.

It wasn’t really a question. He could tell from her tone that she already knew the answer.

“What I want, actually,” Parker growled, “is to get off this bridge and bend you over the nearest available bed.” He’d have settled for a bush, but that wouldn’t be good for either of their businesses.

“I thought so,” she said.

Suddenly she was darting ahead, sprinting up the walkway with the early morning sun painting her hair gold. The sound of laughter floated back to him. “Catch me if you can!”

Parker grinned, and took off after her. “You wait till I do!”

The End

SEBASTIAN – Coming Soon