Chapter 16

When Bella walked out of the restaurant that night, Parker was there waiting for her. “What are you doing here?” She asked, pleasantly surprised.

“Well, I didn’t want you to walk home all alone this late at night.” He waited for her to lock the doors before he took her hand.

“You know I’ve made this walk alone many times before and nothing’s happened to me.”

“I know, but I worry.” He told her. “Just let me be a man for a minute, ok?” He smiled.

“Fine, fine, fine.” She turned to where Abby was hailing a cab. “See you tomorrow Abby?” She was hoping that she liked it enough that she’d be returning.

“Without a doubt!” She smiled as she got into the cab and drove away.

/o\/o\/o\/o\/o\/o\

Once they got home, Parker sat down and turned the television on. When he patted the spot next to him on the couch, Bella shook her head, and laughed at the pout he gave her.

“Give me an hour, bathroom night.” She winked. “And I really need a shower.”

Parker listened to the movement in the bathroom, and heard vigorous scrubbing. Once he heard the scrubbing stop, and the shower turn on, his face lit up in a smile. Making his way to the bathroom, he slowly shed his clothes, leaving them in a trail as he went. The scent of cleaner was heavy in the air, but wasn’t over powering. The smell that was really catching his senses was that of the shampoo that Bella was using on her hair. He needed more, he needed to be closer. Trying not to shock her too bad, he slowly opened the door to the shower.

Feeling a blast of cold air, Bella turned to see Parker joining her. He pulled her hands from her head and started massaging the shampoo into her hair. Bella turned so her back was to his stomach and felt herself relax at his ministrations. She loved it when someone played with her hair, but to have someone wash her hair for her sent her into sensation overload. It was such a tender and loving gesture in her mind. Once that was rinsed from her hair, she shut off the water and dragged Parker out of the shower. He looked at her in confusion.

“Shower sex isn’t all its cracked up to be.” She told him. “And I have to have you now!”

He had never heard so much passion in her voice, it was almost like a growl. “Lead the way, I’m at your mercy.” He told her, completely turned on.

She turned to him and pulled his head down so that she could feel his lips on hers as she walked backwards out of the bathroom. Not knowing exactly where she was going, she really didn’t care, she just kept walking. Their hands were both exploring wildly, and Bella couldn’t take it anymore. She pulled Parker to the floor where they succumbed to their passion.

After their second shower of the night, they fell asleep in each other’s arms, never happier.

/o\/o\/o\/o\/o\/o\

Parker walked Bella to work every morning and picked her up every night when he was in town. He had a couple of trips to nearby cities that he had to make, but it only separated them two or three times a week. Parker had even started helping Bella with her chores when he was there so that she had a couple of free nights a week. When she worked on the bathroom, he worked on the kitchen. When she worked on the bedroom, he worked on the living room. And laundry nights were spent together.

The night came when it was time for Dylan to return to work. Bella had been nervous for two days prior, not knowing whether he was going to show, and if he did, she wasn’t sure what his attitude would be like.

She went to work early that morning, alone since Parker had a radio appearance in the city, across town. She tried to busy herself with paperwork, to take her mind off Dylan’s arrival or no-show.

An hour before the other employees were supposed to show for work, Bella heard the front door open and shut. She went to the dining room, not knowing what to expect. When she saw Dylan, the butterflies in her stomach took full flight. She gestured to one of the tables in the middle of the dining room, as if they were metaphorically meeting half way.

Both of them looked nervous, and awkward. It seemed like neither one knew how to begin. “How was your vacation?” Bella asked at the same exact time as Dylan asked how business had been. They both laughed, seeming to have broken the ice.

“Vacation was good, but I missed this place a lot. How has it been going?” He asked with a smile on his face.

“Busy as ever. I actually hired a new girl. She’s gonna be the Assistant Manager, but don’t worry, it just means that she’s here to help you out. Its kind of like you are Co-Assistant Managers. I know that my being here every single night is draining me, and asking you to fill in for me every time I need a night off isn’t fair. Now I have someone else that I can trust without burning you out too…that is, as long as you intend to stay.”

“Well, I guess that’s up to you. There are some things I need to say, and after I say them, you might not want me to stay.” He took a deep breath. “I don’t like Parker. And I don’t know if its because of him being famous, and me worrying about him hurting you, or if I feel like he’s replacing me in your life, or if I’m just completely jealous that he gets to kiss you and I don’t.”

Bella tried to say something, but he just put his hand up.

“I know that you think I’ve just been messing around when I’ve been flirting with you for all these years, but the truth is, I’ve meant every word of it. You are my best friend, yes, but at the same time, I’ve always wanted more from you. I want to know what it feels like to say that you’re mine, to be able to kiss you and hold you, to be able to love you. I’ve always waited for that chance, for you to finally take me seriously. But you never noticed it, and I just feel like I needed to tell you before I lose my chance.”

Bella sat there with a shocked look on her face, not even sure she heard all of what he said correctly. And when he stood and came closer to her, she was definitely taken aback.

Dylan crouched down next to her chair and told her, “I’ve wanted to do this for so long, no matter what the consequences are now.” Then he pulled her head to his and latched his lips to hers. Bella was too surprised to react, and it was only when she heard a throat clearing that she pushed Dylan away.

“Parker!” She exclaimed a little breathlessly.

“Anyone want to explain what’s going on here?” He asked, watching Bella jump out of her chair, and Dylan putting his head in his hands.

Taking charge of the situation, Bella told Parker to stay there, and dragged Dylan into her office.

“What you did out there was one of the stupidest things you have ever done. You don’t want me Dylan, you just think you do because I never succumbed to your charms. Every other girl fell at your feet, and I didn’t. You liked the thrill of the chase, but I think you realize after that kiss that the feelings you have for me are strictly platonic.” She glared at him. “As for thinking Parker will hurt me, that is something I have decided I’m willing to risk. You don’t know him at all, except what you’ve seen in the papers, and I know first hand not to believe them.” Her voice getting louder and louder. “And he will never replace you silly Dylly. You are one of my best friends. Do you think that I’m not capable of sharing my friendship? Am I that much of a simpleton?”

She just looked at him, waiting for him to say something. “I’m sorry, about it all. You were right about the kiss. All I could picture was kissing my sister, and it was horrible.” They both laughed. “If you are that strong in your convictions over Parker, then I guess I need to give him a chance if you insist on having him in your life, if I want to keep you as a friend.” Then he thought for a moment. “Are we still friends?” He asked pitifully.

“Yes, we are still friends, and you still have a job if you want it. But now we need to deal with Parker.” She moved to the door.

The both walked out of the office to find Parker sitting at the table the formerly occupied, with a look on his face that Bella didn’t recognize. For a moment she was scared, but she knew better than to be scared of him.

“Would anyone like to explain why my girlfriend and her ‘best friend’ were kissing when I walked in here?” He asked, with a tinge of anger mixed with hurt.

Bella opened her mouth to say something, but Dylan jumped in before she could. “It’s my fault. I’ve been so jealous over you, and I was under the illusion that I was in love with Bella. She had no part in the kiss, I surprised her by it.” He explained. “But I know now, that the feelings I had weren’t those of being in love with her, as much as I love her as a friend. It was more about jealousy, and fear of losing her to you.”

Parker looked from Bella to Dylan, his face softening a bit. “Bella, can I have a moment with Dylan?”

“You aren’t going to hurt him, are you?” She asked, a bit worried.

Parker laughed. “No, I just think we have a long overdue conversation.”

Bella nodded and went to her office, looking back at them before she went in and closed the door.

Parker turned to Dylan. “I know you’ve seen the tabloids, and Bella has too. When she was with me in Chicago, she saw first hand how they distort innocent images, making me look like the king of all sleaze. But I promise you, I am not like that at all. Maybe when I was younger, I enjoyed the benefits, but as I got older, the most I would do is kiss a girl at a party. Since I met Isabella, I didn’t even do that, but the magazines made it look like I did, because that was what they expected out of me.” He took a long, deep breath. “I would never, ever do anything to intentionally hurt Isabella. I can honestly tell you that I love her with all that I am, and I would protect her with my life.” He stopped for a moment. Did he just admit that he loved her? The words hit him like a ton of bricks.

“I’m guessing you haven’t told her that yet?” Dylan asked.

“No, I think I just told myself that.” He laughed. “But I know its true.” He got a glimmer in his eye before he continued on. “And the truth of it all is that I’ve been jealous of your relationship with her. You know her so well, and you are one of her best friends. I guess I just want your acceptance since you mean so much to her.”

Dylan laughed. “So it looks like we both had anxiety over the same things. But I think we can work through them and actually become friends…as long as you don’t hurt her. I know where they keep the really sharp knives in the back.” He said with a smile.

Parker nodded in understanding, then reached his hand out. The two men shook hands in understanding and friendship. They both loved the same woman, for completely different reasons.

When Bella came out of her office, she was elated to see that the two of them were getting along so well. “Did you two kiss and make up?” She asked, neither one cracked a grin. “Sorry, guess that was a bad joke.” She grimaced, but eventually, the all smiled. Parker motioned her over and pulled her onto his lap. His kissed her cheek and neck, making her giggle. “So Dylan, you think you might get to work some time today? She asked.

“Yes boss!” He said and got up.

“We good?” She asked Parker.

“Yup, everything is good.” He winked at her. “I supposed I should let you get to work now.” he groaned.

“I suppose.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m glad we got everything worked out though.”

“Me too.” He kissed her then lifted her up so he could get up. “I’ll see you when you get out tonight.”

They kissed once again, and she watched him leave. She still couldn’t believe that she was lucky enough to have him in her life.

/o\/o\/o\/o\/o\/o\

The night went really well, Dylan and Abby got along well, and though she had been there for two weeks, he was still able to teach her a few things. And though Bella thought that Dylan might be resentful towards Abby, she was glad to see that he was actually happy to have her there to help him out.

/o\/o\/o\/o\/o\/o\

At the end of the night after closing, Bella, Dylan, and Abby were leaving the building. Abby opened the door first, she was a few feet ahead of the others. She was surprised to see Parker standing so close to the doors, waiting for them to walk out.

“Excuse me,” he said, “But I would like a table for two.”

Abby smiled and let him in. “Hey Bella,” she yelled back, “This man wants a table for two.”

“We’re closed.” She yelled before walking around the partition.

“Think you could make an exception?” Parker asked, with hope in his eyes.

She watched the others walk out the doors and locked up behind them. “I think I can squeeze you in. We only have a table near the fireplace though.” She winked.

Bella led Parker to the dining room and sat at one of the first tables. He lifted a bag up on the table and started bringing out containers of food. “I know this won’t be as good as the food here, but it should work.”

Isabella was impressed. Not only did he have food, but he had brought nice plates and silverware too. He lit the candles on the table, creating an amazingly romantic atmosphere in the dark restaurant. “What is all this for?” She asked.

“I can’t do something nice for the lady in my life?” He asked.

She smiled and dug into her food. After she was done with that, he took her plate and gave her a piece of caramel apple cheesecake, one of her favorites. Her mouth watered just looking at it. Finally finished with the meal, Parker cleared the table of all dishes, putting them back in the bag, and reached over and took Isabella’s hands.

“You know, we’ve been through a lot in the time that we’ve known each other, and I feel like its brought us so close. We’ve been through both the good and the bad, and what remains is the fact that no matter what happened, it showed that we could get through anything together. Isabella, I love you so much, heart and soul.” He poured his heart out.

Speechless, she whispered, “I love you too. I think I have for a long time.”

“Then that makes this so much easier on me.” He laughed and moved around to her side of the table. He got down on one knee as he looked up into her eyes. His hand reached into his pocket and pulled out a small square box, making Isabella gasp. “With all that said, I know that we haven’t known each other long, but I feel like we were meant to be. Isabella Violi, will you marry me? I know this is fast, but we can wait as long as you want to get married. As long as you say yes, I will wait forever until you are ready.” He looked at her with so much hope in his eyes, tears wetting them, though not spilling over.

She looked down at the box he had just opened to show a large, antique looking diamond ring. She didn’t even need to think before she fell into his arms and whimpered her answer. “YES! Yes, I will marry you. Today or tomorrow or next month, I don’t care. But yes, I will marry you.”

He picked her up in a hug and swung her around, kissing her until they were both dizzy. When he put her down, he slid the ring on her finger, making it official. It was the best night of their lives, and they knew it would only get better from there.

The End…

/o\/o\/o\/o\

Author’s Note: Ok, so I didn’t want to keep dragging this story out. It’s the end, thanks for sticking with me, even through the long hiatus. Its such a cheesy story, but I love it shrugs. Hope you all enjoyed! Oh, and of course, not edited yet, so I’m sure there are a ton of errors. Oh well, someday…