It reads:

Hi, Hailey. I'm really sorry about yesterday. I was going to call you, but I was afraid you would hang up on me, so I decided to message you on here instead. I would say that I'm sorry about kissing you, but I'm not. I would actually do it again, if you would let me. Say, maybe, tonight? Do you want to go to dinner with me? If not, I understand. Hope to hear from you soon… P

Is he for real? How do I even respond to this…?

***

It was June 2005, and I heard my name called. A sensation of relief came over me as I walked up to the stage to receive my high school diploma. I shook the principal’s hand and returned to my seat. My last task was to walk the final procession with Chase as my partner—since our last names were close, I got stuck with him.

When we got in line the first time around, no words were spoken between us. Once everyone had their diplomas, Pomp and Circumstance started to play, and I nearly ran out the door as I waited impatiently for our turn. We met in the middle aisle and walked directly out the gym doors. I looked for my parents because I just wanted to leave. Leave that place, those people, and never return again. I saw my mom, dad, grandparents, and younger brother waving me over from a distance. I walked up to them, and they all kissed and congratulated me. We took a few pictures, but I tried to get out of that part, as usual. I hated taking pictures. My confidence level wasn’t exactly high, and I thought I looked gigantic in every picture.

Then, all of a sudden, my dad said, “Oh, there's Parker from the store.”

“Lovely,” I said, rolling my eyes.

“You still didn't make up?” he asked.

“What? Why would we?”

“Well, I talked to him.”

I thought I was going deaf, because I was sure I hadn’t just heard my dad say that he’d talked to Parker about me.

“What?” I needed to hear that again.

“I thought he was your boyfriend and that he upset you.”

“Are you crazy? He is not my boyfriend. Look at me. In case you haven't noticed, I'm a whale and he's an asshole. We just don't go together.”

“I'm sorry, sweetheart. I just thought he was, because of how upset you were.”

“No, Dad. I can't wait to never see these people again.”

“Hailey, that's not the attitude to have.”

“You have no idea,” I mumbled and tried to turn away from the madness.

“Just take a picture with him,” my dad insisted.

“Dad, no! Stop it! Everyone will stare.”

“He's a nice kid. I wouldn't mind having him for a son-in-law one day.”

My dad had clearly lost his mind. “There's no chance in hell of that happening… ever.”

“Watch your mouth,” he said as he waved Parker over.

I wanted to die completely.

“Parker, son, come here.” He patted him on the back and shook his hand. “Congratulations.”

I was thinking, He's not your son and he never will be.

“Why don't you and Hailey take a picture together?” he suggested, pushing me towards Parker because I refused to move.

“I'm sure Parker has better things to do,” I said, addressing my father as I gave him a “let’s go” look.

“It’s okay, Hailey. We can take a picture.” Parker put his arm around me.

Oh, the awkwardness. Wait until I get my father in the car.

I had a fake smile in the picture because I was definitely not happy.

After he snapped the photo, I said, “Well, we better get going because we have lunch reservations.”

My dad thanked Parker for the picture and we left. I knew I was being rude, but he deserved it.

“Bye, Parker... For good,” I said under my breath. I got in the backseat and left behind all the horrific memories of my high school years…

***

Well, I know my dad would be happy if I said yes to Parker’s dinner proposal.

The worst thing about Facebook: Parker now knows that I saw his message. I'm forced to respond. I type the words and shock myself: I'll go out to dinner with you.

He responds right away from his mobile phone.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, of course.” Why would he think I would lie?

“I'll pick you up.”

“I'll meet you. Where would you like to go?” I am definitely driving my car just in case it doesn’t work out and I have to drive myself home. It is usually parked in the garage. I don’t usually drive many places in New York, but I need to have a car for when I have meetings outside of New York.

“We can go to Chez Rodolfo. You sure you don't want me to pick you up?”

“I'm sure. I'll meet you there. Eight o'clock, okay?”

“Perfect.”

I'm not sure why I accepted, but I think his kiss had a lot to do with it. I'll see where it goes. Obviously my date with Chase went nowhere, so the same could happen with Parker.

CHAPTER 28

Parker

I'M FLOORED that Hailey actually accepted my invite to dinner. I wish she would have let me pick her up, but this is a start. For some reason, with Hailey I want to go out of my norm. Taking women to dinner is rare for me. I usually meet them at a bar, take them home, sleep with them, and then it’s over. With Hailey, it's different. I feel different. I want to know everything about her. I'm not sure what the attraction is, but I need to find out.

I arrive at the restaurant at 7:45 p.m. and check in with the hostess. There's a nice crowd tonight.

“I'll just wait at the bar for my date to arrive,” I say to her.

I hear my name being called from across the bar and hope it's not someone from my past. Not tonight. I look over and it's my cousins Trenton and Pat, along with their women. What a relief. I wave to them.

“What can I get for you?” the bartender asks.

“I'll take a Heineken and a white wine for my date. She'll be here any minute. I'm just going to talk to those people right over there for a minute.” I point to Trenton and Pat.

“Sure. I'll bring your drinks right over,” the bartender says.

I stroll around the circular bar. With life happening around us, I don't get to see my cousins as much as I used to. Trenton is a famous actor turned mechanic, but he is still in show business. He hosts a popular celebrity dance show on television. He just recently got engaged to a woman named Lauren. His brother Pat and I were very close growing up. Pat works in the stock market and is married to his high school sweetheart, Kristen.

“Trent, Pat, what's going on? Long time no see.” I kiss the ladies hello.

“Yes, I know. What are you doing here by yourself?” Trenton asks me.

“I have a date. She's meeting me here.”

“Oh, nice. Why don't you join us?” Kristen asks invitingly.

“I'll talk to her and see what she says. She doesn't really trust me,” I say, laughing.

“Do you blame her?” Pat asks, jokingly. “You have a reputation with the ladies.”

“I know. I know. I think I see her at the door. Let me go meet her,” I say as I start to walk away.

I think I am just going to keep it to me and her. I don't want Trent or Pat to say anything about me and scare her away.

I walk towards the hostess stand where Hailey has arrived. She looks beautiful in a gray sweater dress that hugs her body, and sexy-ass black heels.

“Hi, Hailey.” I reach over to kiss her cheek. “I ordered you a drink at the bar. We can sit there or go right to our table.”

“We can just sit at our table,” she says, smiling.