8- Jealous
1347 Words
Parker told herself she was imagining things.
That was the only logical explanation.
Because Maxton Sutton was not standing outside her office acting like a man who had just been personally offended by a calendar invite.
And yet—
There he was.
Leaning against the reception desk.
Arms crossed.
Jaw tight.
Watching her like she’d done something wrong simply by existing in the same building as another man.
Parker exhaled slowly and kept walking.
“Don’t start,” she muttered.
“I haven’t said anything.”
“Your face is saying enough.”
His gaze flicked briefly to the folder in her hand.
“And whose face are you going to see for the next two hours?”
She stopped.
Turned.
“Excuse me?”
Maxton tilted his head slightly.
“Ethan Blake.”
Parker blinked.
“…You’re stalking my calendar now?”
“I noticed the meeting.”
“You noticed my meeting.”
“Yes.”
“That’s not normal.”
“It’s efficient.”
She stared at him.
He stared back.
Unbothered.
Annoyingly composed.
Parker pinched the bridge of her nose.
“Ethan is a client. Not that it’s any of your business.”
Maxton didn’t respond immediately.
That was worse.
Because silence from Maxton Sutton usually meant calculation.
And calculation usually meant trouble.
⸻
Ethan Blake arrived exactly on time.
Which Parker appreciated.
Professional.
Punctual.
Polished.
Everything a high-level attorney should be.
He was also—
Unfortunately—
Charming.
“Parker,” Ethan greeted warmly, offering a smile that had probably won over judges and juries alike.
“Ethan.”
They shook hands.
It was brief.
Professional.
Completely harmless.
At least to Parker.
Across the hallway, Luca peeked around the corner.
He’d been visiting the office again that afternoon after school—this time under Sophia’s supervision.
But the moment Ethan entered, Luca went still.
His eyes narrowed.
“What is that?”
Sophia followed his gaze.
“That is Ethan Blake.”
Luca frowned.
“He’s smiling at my mom.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s polite.”
“That’s suspicious.”
Sophia coughed.
“Excuse me?”
Luca crossed his arms.
“People don’t just smile like that for no reason.”
Sophia raised an eyebrow.
“What do they smile for, then?”
Luca didn’t hesitate.
“To steal attention.”
Sophia almost dropped her coffee.
⸻
Inside Parker’s office, Ethan reviewed the file.
He was good.
Objectively good.
He asked the right questions.
Pointed out weaknesses in the opposing argument.
Even offered solutions before Parker had to.
It should have been easy.
It should have been normal.
It should have been just another case.
Except—
Every few minutes, Ethan’s attention drifted.
Not to the documents.
To her.
“You always this focused?” he asked lightly.
Parker didn’t look up.
“Usually.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
She finally glanced at him.
“Why?”
“Because most people look up when someone interesting is in the room.”
Parker paused.
“…Are you flirting during litigation strategy?”
Ethan smiled.
“Only when it works.”
Parker shook her head, hiding a reluctant smile.
He was easy.
Too easy.
And that was dangerous in a completely different way.
Because easy meant safe.
And safe meant tempting.
A knock interrupted them.
The door opened without waiting for permission.
Maxton stepped inside.
Parker froze.
Ethan looked up.
Luca, who had quietly followed behind, immediately peeked in too.
“Oh,” Ethan said, recognizing him instantly. “Maxton Sutton.”
Maxton didn’t look at him.
Not really.
His eyes went straight to Parker.
“I need to speak with you.”
“In my office?”
“Yes.”
“While I’m in a meeting?”
“Yes.”
Parker exhaled slowly.
Of course.
Ethan glanced between them.
“I can step out.”
“No,” Parker said quickly.
“Yes,” Maxton said at the same time.
Silence.
The tension snapped tight.
Ethan blinked once.
Then smiled slightly.
“I’ll… wait outside.”
Before Parker could respond, Luca stepped fully into the room.
And stopped.
He looked at Ethan.
Then at Maxton.
Then at Parker.
“I don’t like this,” Luca announced.
Parker groaned.
“Luca—”
“He’s smiling at you again,” Luca said, pointing at Ethan.
Ethan looked amused.
“I smile a lot.”
“That’s the problem.”
Ethan actually laughed.
“I like him,” he said, looking at Parker.
Parker froze slightly.
Maxton didn’t move.
But something in the air changed.
Ethan continued casually, “Dinner tonight. Just us. We can go over the rest of the strategy.”
It was professional.
On paper.
It sounded harmless.
But it landed differently in the room.
Completely differently.
Parker opened her mouth—
But didn’t get the chance.
Because Luca beat her to it.
“No.”
Ethan blinked.
“I’m sorry?”
Luca stepped forward.
“No dinner.”
Ethan smiled gently.
“It’s just business, buddy.”
Luca shook his head firmly.
“Adults lie when they say that.”
Parker nearly choked.
Sophia, somewhere outside the door, was definitely laughing.
Ethan glanced at Parker, amused.
“He’s protective.”
“He’s… opinionated,” Parker corrected weakly.
Ethan turned back to her.
“So? Dinner?”
Parker hesitated.
It was just dinner.
It was harmless.
It was—
“I think she’s busy.”
Maxton’s voice cut through the room.
Cold.
Controlled.
Quietly dangerous.
Everyone turned to him.
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
“I didn’t realize you were part of this case.”
“I’m not.”
“Then—”
“I’m part of her schedule.”
Parker shut her eyes briefly.
Oh no.
Luca’s eyes widened.
“Ohhh.”
Parker looked at him.
“Don’t ‘ohhh’ me.”
Ethan glanced between them.
Slowly, understanding dawned.
“Oh,” he said, softer this time.
Then smiled.
“Got it.”
He stood, gathering his folder.
“No pressure, Parker. Dinner still stands if you change your mind.”
He paused at the door.
Looked at Maxton.
Then at Luca.
“Good meeting you both.”
And then—
Just before leaving—
He added lightly,
“You’ve got a very interesting… family dynamic.”
The door closed.
Silence.
Thick.
Loaded.
Parker exhaled sharply.
“Okay,” she said, rubbing her temples. “Everyone out.”
Luca frowned.
“But—”
“Out.”
He reluctantly left, still glancing over his shoulder at Maxton.
Sophia followed behind him, clearly entertained.
Now it was just Parker and Maxton.
Again.
The air felt different.
Heavier.
Maxton didn’t move.
Neither did she.
Finally, she crossed her arms.
“What?”
His jaw tightened slightly.
“That’s your type?”
Parker blinked.
“…Excuse me?”
“The attorney.”
She scoffed.
“He’s a colleague.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
Parker stepped closer.
“Why do you care?”
Silence.
A beat.
Then—
Maxton’s gaze flicked briefly toward the door Luca had just exited through.
Back to her.
Lower.
Colder.
“He’s interested in you.”
Parker frowned.
“So?”
The answer came too quickly.
Too honest.
“It bothers me.”
That stopped her completely.
“…What?”
Maxton exhaled slowly, as if regretting the words the moment they left his mouth.
But it was too late.
They were already out there.
Hanging between them.
Undeniable.
Parker stared at him.
Searching.
Waiting.
He didn’t explain.
Didn’t soften it.
Just stood there.
Watching her.
Possessive in a way he probably didn’t even realize he was being.
And for the first time—
Parker understood something clearly.
This wasn’t just about a case anymore.
It was about her.
The silence stretched until footsteps echoed in the hallway.
Luca’s voice drifted back faintly.
“Mommy! I think Mr. Smiley Guy likes you!”
Parker groaned.
Maxton’s expression darkened slightly.
And for reasons she absolutely did not want to examine—
Parker found it very, very hard not to smile.
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