Leave the Lights On by Karen Stivali Read Free Book Online

stripped off his wet clothes and changed into sweatpants and a T-shirt. Rushing so he wouldn’t be late, he trotted out to his car, glad that it was now only drizzling.
    “What’s got you in such a good mood?” Tanya asked the second she walked into the treatment room.
    “What do you mean?” Parker asked, unable to keep what he imagined was a completely goofy grin off his face.
    “That.” Tanya circled her finger in the air in front of him. Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. “Generally speaking, that look only means one thing. What’s her name?”
    Chuckling Parker lay down on the table, staring at the ceiling tiles to avoid Tanya’s eyes.
    “I can hurt you, you know,” she said.
    “Oh, I know.” Parker laughed. “Fine. Her name’s Sophie.”
    “That’s pretty. And where did you meet Sophie?” Tanya’s hands began to work down his leg, bending it at the knee.
    “JFK Elementary School.”
    Tanya’s mouth dropped open. “You’re young, kid, but you’re not that young.”
    “I was when I met her. We grew up together.”
    “Mmmm, interesting. Childhood sweetheart?”
    Parker’s stomach tensed, partly from the pulling muscles in his thigh and partly from thoughts of Chrissie. “No. Childhood buddy. But I always sort of had a thing for her.”
    “Nice.” She pressed down hard, crossing his knee over his other leg.
    Grimacing, Parker tried to focus on the conversation. “It is. We’ve been hanging out since I moved back to my dad’s. She’s awesome. We get along great. When we’re together, it’s just like it was when we were younger. Like no time has passed.”
    “I love friendships like that. But now I guess you’re more than friends?”
    Parker smiled and nodded. “We’ve got a date tomorrow night.”
    Tanya sighed. “I miss dating. Marriage really fucks that up.”
    “You kill me.”
    “Not yet. Roll over, we’ll see what I can do.”
    Parker braced his arms on the narrow table and flipped onto his stomach. “Give it your best shot.”
    “I intend to. Though I don’t want you too sore for date night.”
    Parker’s breath caught in his chest. Date night . He hadn’t had anything remotely resembling a date in over two years. Not to mention that he’d never really dated anyone but Chrissie. Jesus. What the fuck do I even do on a date?
    “You have a favorite restaurant? Or, you know, one you’d like to go to if you ever dated anymore?” he asked.
    “Depends what you mean by favorite. You want fun and casual? Or fancy favorite?”
    I have no idea. “How about telling me both?”
    “Well, for casual I like Kelsey’s Pub. Good burgers, live music most nights, but it’s a little noisy—not great for talking. For fancy I like La Cippolina. Cozy little tables, candlelight, crazy-good food.”
    What’s better for a first date? He didn’t want to look like an idiot and ask . “If you could only go to one, which do you like better?”
    “Are you trying to impress her?”
    Tanya’s hand dug into a particularly sore spot on his hip, and he grunted, gritting his teeth against the pain. “I just want to have a good time.” Understatement. I want this to be perfect.
    “Why don’t you start with Kelsey’s. It’s nice and relaxed. If you get a second date out of her, then you can impress her with a night at La Cippolina.”
    “Thanks.” If? He tried to breathe deeply and not tense as she pressed harder, kneading a knot.
    “That’s why you pay me the big bucks. But since I’m helping with the plans, I’m gonna expect details on Monday.”
    “You always expect details.”
    “Good point.” She touched a spot that made Parker see stars. He clenched his eyes tightly, inhaling deeply through his nose, and attempted to let thoughts of Sophie carry him away.
    “On your left side.” Tanya patted his hip and he rolled to the side, trying not to cringe from the intensified ache. “You nervous?”
    Shit, is it that obvious? “Not exactly.”
    Tanya’s raised eyebrow spoke