Return to You

the regrets
began. What could he have to regret? She thought she made it clear
this was just about sex.
    "I know it's a little late for this, but we
didn't use any condoms."
    Oh—no wonder. After her brief pregnancy,
she'd gone on birth control. There was no way she was ever taking
chances again. "I've got it covered."
    He looked relieved with a capital R. "Okay.
And so you know, I'm safe. I've been careful with all the women
I've—well, except you."
    Hearing about his sexual conquests over the
years wasn't what she wanted after a night of spectacular sex.
"Don't worry about it," she said coolly. Then cruelly, she added,
"But I've practiced safe sex with all my partners too."
    The lock outside clicked loudly. Olivia and
Michael looked at each other and then rushed to the door. They
reached it just as it swung open.
    Olivia wasn't sure who looked more
surprised—Michael and her or the guy standing in front of them. By
the looks of him, he was movie crew. She'd certainly never seen him
before.
     
     

Chapter Twenty-one
     
     
    The first thing Olivia saw when she walked into
Grounds for Thought was her traitorous father reclined in a chair,
legs crossed, staring at Elaine, who sat across from him typing
intently. She had no idea what they were doing there, but it was
just as well. She had a bone to pick.
    Squaring her shoulders, she marched across the room
to their table. "Fancy seeing you here," she said crisply.
    Elaine looked up, pushing her glasses up her nose as
a smile spread across her face. "There you are. I was worried about
you. I didn't see you come back last night and no one would tell me
where you'd gone." She shot an arch look at her boss.
    Olivia frowned and studied her. Sincerity shined
back, and Olivia knew without a doubt that Lainie wasn't
involved.
    She sighed internally, and a knot untwisted from her
gut. The thought that Lainie had manipulated her had been
surprisingly painful. The relief that she hadn't was almost
euphoric. Which meant just Gran and Parker were involved. She could
deal with that.
    She turned to him. "Were you worried about me
too?"
    "You're capable of taking care of yourself. You've
always been the first one to point that out."
    Olivia feigned shock. "How amazing you remember
that."
    "Is there a point to this, Olivia? Elaine and I were
in a meeting." He calmly sipped his coffee but his eyes never
strayed from hers.
    She felt rage boil in her blood. The urge to scream
at him was powerful but Eve wouldn't appreciate a scene in her
cafe.
    She yanked a chair out and dropped into it. Leaning
forward, she glared at him and said softly, "Stay the hell out of
my life."
    She heard Lainie gasp but she didn't take her eyes
off Parker's. It was like watching a cobra—the second she turned
her back she knew he'd strike. She didn't want to be caught off
guard.
    He set his cup down and regarded her with his cold,
intense gaze. Just as softly, he replied, "Like hell I will."
    She clutched her hands at her sides to stop their
shaking. "What are you getting out of this?"
    "Maybe I'm doing this for my daughter."
    "Ha! That was a good one."
    "Is that so hard to believe?"
    "I believe you have a hidden
agenda. The only thing that motivates you is your work. Not once in
my life have I seen you do anything not related to getting ahead in
Hollywood. You care more about that than you do me. You always
have, you always will. What or how I feel has never been a consideration, as
evidenced when you dumped me on Gran after mom died and when you
took Michael away after high school."
    Lainie gasped again. "What?"
    Olivia turned to her with a bitter smile. "Didn't
you know that? Michael and I would probably be married now if my
father hadn't offered him the chance of a lifetime. He stole
Michael from me." She faced her father. "Good thing Mom died, huh?
One less complication in your grand design to get ahead."
    As soon as she said the words she wished she could
take them back. She covered her mouth, horrified at herself.
    Pain flashed in his eyes, but he masked it just as
quickly as it'd flared. "You sound bitter, Olivia. Frankly I
expected better from you."
    Anger rose. Why did he have to do that all the time?
"Yes, well you never made a secret of how I disappointed you."
    "Stop it," Lainie hissed, slapping her palm down on
the table. "I've had enough. You two should be ashamed of
yourselves. This is hardly the forum for a discussion like
this."
    "Well, it can't very well take place at home