Embracing the Unexpected (3 page)

“She’s afraid to talk about it, but I know it was more than
that one night.” Parker clenched his fists. “She screams in her sleep and I
know he—” He punched the wall. “I know he did other things to her during the
course of their relationship, he forced her.”

Jace stood up and placed his hand on Parker’s shoulder, but
Parker didn’t turn around.

“She’s afraid that if she tells me the truth, I’ll kill
him.”

“Will you?” Jace asked. “It’s not that irrational of a
thought because it’s clear to me that you love Ava very much, but you
understand you can’t do that. It won’t help anyone.”

“You’re not going to spew your anger management bullshit on
me now, are you, Doc?” He turned and smiled at him.

Jace had never wanted another man more than he wanted
Parker. But it was very clear Parker had no idea what was going on between
them. Jace hoped he’d be able to change that. Jace’s gaze went straight to
Parker’s full, kissable lips and now they were standing close enough for him to
feel Parker’s warm breath against his mouth.

“No.” Jace laughed. “We’ll save that for when you’re paying
me to listen.”

“Will you help me with Ava?” Parker asked, and Jace saw the
anxiety in his eyes.

“What did you have in mind?” He couldn’t believe he was even
entertaining this.

“Maybe you could come to my house for dinner and just listen
to her, or try to evaluate her or something? I don’t know? I don’t know what
else to do.”

“I don’t usually make house calls.” Jace smiled, trying to
lighten the mood again.

“I can afford your fee.”

Jace wanted to help Ava, but he wasn’t sure he could if she
didn’t want him to. But he was also being selfish because he wanted to get to
know Parker Phillips. He wanted to know the man that even Parker didn’t know
existed, and at this point, Ava was his only hope.

“Does she live with you?”

“She sleeps in my bed.”

“Well, that’s not really normal behavior, is it?” Jace was
jealous of a woman he’d never met.

“It’s the only way I can get her calmed down after the
nightmares.” He ran his fingers through his hair.

Jace couldn’t help but wonder if his dark hair felt as soft
as it looked. He looked at him for a few seconds, admiring his chiseled
features before he realized Parker was staring back. Jace cleared his throat
and looked past the other man’s shoulder.

“I can’t believe I’m violating her trust, but I don’t see
any other way.”

“I’ll come and meet her.”

“Thank you.”

“I can’t make any promises,” Jace warned him. “She has to
want my help.”

“Just the fact that you’re coming makes me feel better.” He
smiled.

Me too.
Jace knew he could be setting himself up for
a major disappointment, but he’d decided it was time to take a chance. He’d
been alone, burying himself in his work for far too long.

After several phone conversations with Parker over the past
week, Jace was standing in his living room waiting for Ava to come downstairs.
During the last few days, he’d learned much about Parker—his likes and
dislikes, his childhood, his parents and siblings, and most importantly, all of
his past failed relationships with women. It amazed him that Parker couldn’t
figure out why none of these relationships worked.

He didn’t like girls.

“You have a beautiful home.” Jace handed Parker the bottle
of wine he’d brought.

“Thank you.” He smiled. “Can I offer you a drink?”

“Not yet. I’d like to meet Ava first.”

“She’ll be down in a minute. Apparently, she won’t be
joining us for dinner after all.” Parker shook his head.

“Really?” Ava was the whole reason he was here. If she
wasn’t staying for dinner did that mean he had no reason to stay?

“I told her you were coming and she got suspiciously weird.”

“She’s on to you?” Jace laughed

“I think so, but she did agree to meet you. I'm hoping
you'll still stay for dinner.” He ran his fingers through his hair as he paced
the room. Jace couldn’t help but notice how nervous Parker was. He hoped he
wasn’t the reason Parker was so fidgety.

“Parker.” He walked over and took Parker’s hand in his,
remembering how it had helped him when they were in his office the other day.
Parker looked down at their connection but didn’t say anything. “You need to
relax.”

“You have a way of doing that for me.”

“That’s kind of my job.”

Jace heard footsteps on the stairs and Parker quickly let go
of his hand, moving to the other side of the room. Jace was disappointed, but
had to be realistic. Parker wasn’t going to acknowledge the chemistry between
them.

“Ava, come meet Dr. Cross.”

Ava walked into the room with a huge grin on her face. She
stared at Jace for a moment and then smiled back at Parker.

“Hello, Dr. Cross.” She extended her hand for him. “I’m Ava
Nichols, Parker’s best friend.”

She was a stunning woman. Not at all what Jace had pictured
by the way Parker had been so worried about her. Jace kept thinking she’d be
this lost, scared girl who couldn’t function or get out of bed. Ava may have
been going through a tough time, but she seemed very aware of what was going on
with her friend.

“I know. He’s told me much about you.”

“I’ll bet.” She glared at Parker.

“I hear you’re not joining us for dinner this evening?”

As charming as he thought this fragile, petite brunette was,
he was glad he’d be spending some time alone with Parker. He wanted to get to
know Parker better and knew he’d be too guarded with Ava there.

“I apologize,” she said. “But Parker’s sister Lisa invited
me over. We’re having a girl’s night.”

“You’re sleeping over?” Parker seemed surprised.

“Yep,” she said.

“Are you sure you’re up for that?”

“Yes, I’m a big girl.”

“I know, but—”

Ava cut him off. “I thought maybe you’d like the house to
yourself.” She smiled at Jace, and he couldn’t help but smirk back because Ava
obviously knew what Parker wasn’t ready to face. Parker, on the other hand, was
mortified.

“I-I have to make a call,” he stuttered. “Will you entertain
Dr. Cross for a few minutes?”

“Sure, but don’t be too long. It’s rude to leave your guest
waiting while you’re on the phone.”

He rolled his eyes and then looked at Jace. “Will you excuse
me?”

Jace nodded, knowing what he was supposed to do. Parker left
the room, and Ava asked Jace to have a seat.

He took a seat on the couch, while she sat in the chair
across from him. She fidgeted and chewed on her bottom lip for a few seconds
before finally speaking.

“I know why you’re here,” she blurted out. “And I don’t want
to waste your time.”

“Okay, then let’s not play games.” Jace admired her direct
approach. “I’m here because Parker is extremely concerned about you.”

“Is that the only reason you’re here, Dr. Cross?” Ava raised
her eyebrow and smiled at him.

“Please, call me Jace,” he insisted. “And I’m not sure what
you mean. Parker asked me to come and talk to you.”

“Do you always agree to show up at strangers’ houses and
evaluate them?”

“No, I’m far too busy for that,” he answered. “I’m doing a
favor for Parker.”

“Hmm.”

“You seem skeptical, Ava.”

“So, we’re not going to waste one another’s time, right?”

“No,” he told her. “But your friend is very worried about
you, and he thinks I can help.”

“Do you think you can?”

“I don’t know much about your situation, but I’m very good
at what I do. So if you’re willing to allow me to meet with you a few times,
I’ll get a better understanding and we can go from there.”

“I probably can’t afford you.”

“We can work something out,” he assured her.

“I’ll agree to your help,” she said, and that seemed just a
little too easy. “On one condition.”

Of course.
But since he found her extremely
endearing, he’d listen to her condition.

“You help Parker.”

Wasn’t that what he was doing here in the first place?
Helping Parker? He didn’t understand.

“With?” he wondered out loud.

“Help him figure out who he is and what he wants.”

“I don’t understand.”

“He’s talked about you all week,” she told him. “He’s been giddy
and excited you were coming to dinner, but I don’t even think he realizes why.”

“But you do?” Jace had to know what she thought.

“He likes you, but he can’t admit that on his own, he’ll
need your help.”

“How can you be sure I’m into him? It’s kind of a bold
assumption for you to make, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Umm, Jace,” she said. “No offense, but your designer shoes,
manicured fingernails, and just right hair are really good clues. Not to
mention the fact that you are just too perfect not to be gay. A young, rich,
sexy, renowned doctor? You’re single, and you’ve been texting Parker and
calling him all week. You’re into him.”

She did have a point. He already liked Ava a lot.

“He’s been happy, and I think you’re the reason,” she said.
“He’s too afraid to admit it.”

“How long have you known about him?”

“Ten years, maybe?” she admitted. “At first, I wasn’t sure,
but as the years go by and he couldn’t seem to find the right woman, well, I
really think it’s because he doesn’t want a woman. But my suspicions were
confirmed about a week ago.”

“What happened?”

“You,” she said. “He can’t stop talking about you.”

“I see.” Jace was excited by the notion there was a
possibility Parker was into him. Now he just had to figure out how he was going
to get Parker to be open-minded enough to act on his feelings.

“But you can’t hurt him,” she quickly added. “He’s a good
man, and he just needs to figure out what he wants.”

“I don’t plan on hurting him.”

“Okay, good,” she said as Parker walked back into the room.

“Sorry,” he said. “A client needed me.”

“Save it, Parker,” she said. “I’ve agreed to meet with Jace
and see if he can help me.”

“You did?” He stared at Jace.

“Yes.” She stood up and hugged him. “I know you love me and
you want me to be okay.”

“I want you to be better than okay, I want my Ava back.”

“I want to come back,” she said. “But now I have to go to
Lisa’s house.”

“You don’t have to leave.”

“Yeah…” She paused to smile at Jace. “I do, but you might
have to come get me in the middle of the night.”

“Just have Lisa call me and I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

“Ava,” Jace offered, “maybe that’s one of the things I’ll be
able to help you with.”

“I hope so. Now, you two have a great dinner.” She kissed
Parker’s cheek, and as she headed for the door she looked at Jace and said,
“I’ll see you next week.”

“I’ll have my secretary set up an appointment for you.”

“Thanks.” And with that she was gone.

Jace was impressed with the friendship these two had. He
admired their loyalty toward one another.

“How did you get her to agree so easily?” Parker asked.

“Because she knows she needs help, and she knows you’re
worried about her.”

“I just can’t believe she gave in so fast.” He shrugged.
“You know what, it doesn’t matter. As long as you can help her, I don’t care
how she agreed.”

“Hmm.” Jace smirked because Parker would be mortified if he
knew what Ava had suggested.

Parker looked at him as if he was crazy, but didn’t pursue
it any further.

“Are you hungry?” Parker asked.

“Famished.” Jace hadn’t eaten since breakfast, and whatever
was coming from the direction of the kitchen smelled incredible.

“Good, because I’ve been cooking all day.”

“Really?”

“No.” He laughed and God, if Jace didn’t want to kiss him.
“I ordered from Giuseppe’s.”

“That’s one of my favorite places to eat.”

“I have a confession to make.”

“What is it?”

“I called Lori and persuaded her to tell me where you liked
to eat. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.” Jace thought it was sweet Parker had put so
much thought into dinner.

“I wanted to do something special for you for making time
for Ava.”

“I’m here for you too,” he reminded him.

“I know,” Parker said as he ran his fingers through his
hair.

The more he did that, the more Jace wanted to run his own
fingers through that wild mess. It was a deep shade of brown, but Jace noticed
it had the most delicate strands of caramel running through it. He hadn’t
realized that before.

“I didn’t know they did take-out,” Jace said, referring to
the restaurant.

“They don’t.” Parker laughed. “I’m good friends with
Giovanni, the executive chef, so he did me a favor. But he warned me we have to
eat it while it’s hot. So, while you were talking to Ava, I was in the kitchen
watching them set up for us.”

“Well then, let’s go eat.”

“The kitchen’s this way.” He pointed as he started toward
the kitchen, and Jace couldn’t help but watch Parker’s tight, toned ass as they
walked down the hall.

The more time Jace spent with Parker, the more he wanted. He
was definitely up for this challenge. He had a feeling it would be worth it.

Dinner went really well. Jace found Parker to be extremely
interesting and realized how much they had in common. They must have sat at the
kitchen table for over two hours, talking about their childhoods and college
life. Jace was disappointed the evening was drawing to a close. There was so
much more he wanted to talk about.

After they cleared and washed the dishes, Parker suggested
they go sit in the family room. Maybe he didn’t want the night to end either,
but now Jace had a small dilemma in front of him.

How far was he willing to take this? He was comfortable in
his sexuality and had known he was gay ever since high school. He had no
problem exploring this relationship, but he wasn’t sure what Parker wanted. Up
until now, Jace only had relationships with men who were open with their
sexuality. He’d never had to ask a potential partner if they were into men.