Embracing the Unexpected by Ella Jade Page B

relationship was moving forward. They still had a long
road ahead of them, but now that their feelings were out in the open and Parker
wanted Jace to meet his parents, they were taking steps in the right direction
to ensure a future together. Jace couldn’t ask for much more.

Chapter 10
     
    Parker had the morning from hell. His current client had
changed his story so many times, Parker didn’t know if he was coming or going.
He was trying to stave off a headache and he’d missed lunch. He couldn’t wait
to call it a day.
    “Mr. Phillips.” Parker’s assistant buzzed him. “Dr. Cross is
here to see you.”
    Parker was surprised he’d show up at his office unannounced.
He’d never been there before. “Okay, Donna, send him in.”
    Parker stood up, straightened his tie, and waited for Jace
to come in. He slowly opened the door and smiled.
    “Hello, Dr. Cross.” Parker greeted him at the door. “What a
nice surprise.”
    “I hope you don’t mind.” Jace shut it behind him. “I was in
the area and I just felt like saying hi.”
    Parker closed the gap between them, pulled Jace toward him,
and gently kissed him. “I never mind seeing you. It’s a pleasant surprise after
the morning I’ve had.”
    “Rough day?” Jace took a seat in the chair across from
Parker’s desk.
    “I’ll be happy when this case is settled. It’s never what it
appears to be.”
    “You have a really nice office.” Jace looked around. “The
lobby is very warm and inviting.”
    “I can give you a tour of the rest of the building if you
want it?” Parker sat down across from him. “We just moved here about six months
ago.”
    “I’d love to see the building, but please don’t feel like
you have to show me around. I don’t want to put you in an awkward position.”
    Parker flashed him what he hoped was a devilish smile.
    “At least not here, Mr. Phillips.” Jace smiled. “I just
meant, you don’t have to raise questions about us at your place of business.”
    “Actually, I’ve been having lunch with some of my gossipy
paralegals, receptionist, and interns all this week and they’re dying to meet
you, Dr. Cross.”
    “You told them about us?”
    Parker laughed and nodded. “Most were not surprised about my
orientation, I might add. Was I the only one in the dark?”
    “I’m afraid so.” Jace smiled. “But I’m glad you figured it
out.”
    “I had some help.”
    “You would’ve sorted it out, but I’m happy I was there when
you did.”
    “Me too.” Parker was so at ease with Jace and wanted to
spend every second of the day with him. “Let me introduce you, give you the
tour, and then I can leave early if you want to do a late lunch?”
    “I’d love to.”
    “Just be prepared for some disappointment,” Parker said as
he stood up.
    “Disappointment? Why?”
    “When a few of these women see you, they’re going to be very
sad you’re taken. Something about all the good looking, rich ones are married
or gay?” Parker shrugged. “At least that’s what they told me when I said I was
seeing you.”
    “I’m definitely taken,” Jace said. “As I only have eyes for
you.” He ran his thumb across Parker’s bottom lip before slowly kissing him.
    Parker shivered from the contact.
    “We may have to skip lunch altogether if you keep that up.”
He pushed him away. “Don’t get me going.”
    “Sorry.” Jace chuckled. “You’re just so easily distracted.”
    “You seem to know how to get me distracted.” He walked
toward the door as Jace followed.
    “You do a pretty good job of making me lose focus too,” Jace
mumbled as they stepped out into the lobby.
    * * * *
    Parker pulled into the driveway of his parents’ house,
feeling both nervous and excited. He was anxious for them to meet Jace because
he knew they would like him, but he wasn’t sure how smoothly things would go.
His parents were open-minded people but Parker wasn’t sure just how
open-minded, especially when it came to him. This type of