Table for Two (19 page)

Once she was sure the chefs were doing ok, Bella took Abby out to the dining room to greet the guests. It was one of her favorite things to do at the restaurant, loving her customers, especially all the regulars. She took great pride in introducing Abby to all of the guests, she was wonderful with them, and they really seemed to like her. Bella was sure that she had made the right choice in hiring Abby.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw one of her favorites and couldn't wait to introduce Abby. On their way over to the table, Bella gave a quick rundown of who she was going to meet. In a way it excited Abby, but in another way, it made her nervous. She knew that the people at the table were very important to Bella, and she wanted to make a good impression.

"Good evening ladies!" Bella greeted the two women with sincere enthusiasm.

"Bella darling!" Sasha smiled.

Bunny had the biggest smile spread across her face. She stood from the table and embraced Bella in a hug. "He is so smitten." She whispered, making Bella blush. Bunny sat back in her seat and looked at the other girl. "Who's this pretty girl?"

"Ladies, I want you to meet the newest addition to the TigerLily family. This is Abby, my new Assistant Manager."

They both said their 'hello's' and talked to her a little bit about how much they loved the restaurant.

"I don't think these two eat at home anymore, I think they eat here every night." Bella laughed. She looked at their table. "Speaking of eating, you haven't even started. Has one of my waiters dropped the ball on you?" She asked, a little nervous.

"Oh no, no. We sent him away. We're waiting on someone." Bunny patted Isabella's hand. She turned her head towards the door. "Finally!" She said when she saw the third person of their party.

Isabella turned to look, and a smile lit up her face. "Couldn't stay away from me, huh?" She asked as Parker leaned in for a soft kiss.

"Actually, I have a date tonight with these two beautiful women." He apologized as he kissed Sasha and Bunny's cheeks. "I hope you're not jealous."

"I think I can make an exception." She winked. Once he sat, she remembered Abby standing to her side, taking it all in. Bella looked at her, watching the new arrival in awe. With a chuckle, she introduced the two. "Abby, this is Parker Davidson, Parker this is my new Assistant Manager Abby."

He stood and shook Abby's hand. "Nice to meet you Abby. You must be pretty special if my Bella trusts you with her restaurant."

Abby looked back and forth between Bella and Parker, trying to make the connection between her boss and one of her favorite rock stars. She stammered out a polite thank you, still in shock to be speaking to THE Parker Davidson.

Bella smiled and would explain it to her later. "Well, I'll let you get to your dinner." She told them, turning around and gesturing for their waiter. "I'll see you all later. Enjoy, and let me know if you need anything."

Before she could walk away, Parker grabbed her wrist. "I need something." He told her and pulled her down for another kiss. "I'll see you at home tonight." She blushed as she left their table and directed Abby to their next table.

*****

Once the incredibly busy night was over, Bella sat in her office with Abby going over the closing procedures. She was surprised with how fast Abby had picked up on everything, and was so glad that she had made the decision to hire her.

Finally they were getting ready to leave, and she couldn't help but notice Abby staring at her. "What? Do I have a booger?" She asked, wiping her nose.

Abby laughed. "No, but I think you know what I want to know."

"Oh! Yes, Parker and I are dating. Well, I guess it’s more than that. Parker is my boyfriend." She smiled.

Even though the women didn't know each other well, they embraced hands, and let out girly squeals. For the first time, Isabella felt like she had a true girlfriend to share things like that with. They hadn't known each other long, but they clicked right away, and both knew that there was going to be a strong friendship between the two of them.

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.

*****

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 it’s 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.

*****

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 going to be the Assistant Manager, but don't worry, it just means that she's here to help you out. It’s 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 it’s 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 firsthand 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 firsthand 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.