Read Online Embracing the Unexpected by Ella Jade - Free Book Online

to
accept who he was. The negativity and doubt he was feeling just a few days ago
were replaced with warmth and reassurance, and it was all because of Jace.
    “Don’t let me fall asleep,” Parker mumbled. He was so
relaxed and content that he could easily drift off for the night.
    “I won’t, but if you do, I’ll wake you.”
    As much as Parker wanted Jace to hold him all night, it
wasn’t the right time. He would never forgive himself if he wasn’t there for
Ava. He still wasn’t over the fact he hadn’t rescued her the last time, and now
he had this overwhelming guilt to deal with. He wouldn’t fail his friend again.

Chapter 6
     
    “Spend the night with him,” Ava insisted as she ran the
eyeliner across her top lid. “You can’t use me as an excuse forever.”
    “An excuse?” Parker sat on the edge of her bed and watched
as she applied her morning makeup. “I’m hardly doing that.”
    “I haven’t had a nightmare in two weeks. Jace said I’m
making progress, and talking about what was bothering me is really helping.”
    “And that’s great, but do you really think you’re ready to
spend the night alone?” Parker asked. “Just because you haven’t had a nightmare
in a couple of weeks doesn’t mean you still don’t need me to sleep down the
hall.”
    “I can spend the night at Lisa’s if I feel skittish, but I
think I’m going to be fine. Parker, sweetie, I know you’re worried about me,
but eventually, we both need to have a life.”
    “I know.”
    Jace had a book signing in New York City on Saturday
afternoon and tickets to a show that evening. He suggested they go and then
drive back home after, but thought it would be nice if they spent the night in
the city.
    “Go to New York with Jace,” she said. “You’ve been together
for over a month. It’s time to get off the pot.”
    Six weeks to be exact. Parker smiled to himself. Things were
really heating up between them, and Parker knew it was time for them to take
the next step. Jace had been as patient as he said he’d be and never put any
pressure on Parker to become more intimate than he was comfortable with. But
the closer they got, the more natural it felt that they should make love.
Parker just needed to get out of his own way.
    “You know you want to spend the night with him.” Ava
interrupted his thoughts. “Please do this.”
    “Are you sure you want me to go? Because I’d never leave
you.”
    “You’re not leaving me,” she said. “Just going away for a
night.”
    “Okay.” He smiled, feeling excited about spending that many
hours alone with Jace. “But if you change your mind, it’s okay.”
    “I won’t.” She got up and gave him a quick kiss before
heading to the closet. “I have to get going. I have a breakfast appointment
with that new editor.”
    “Jack, is it?” Parker asked. “Isn’t this the third time
you’re meeting with him and on a Sunday?”
    “Yeah.” She smiled. “He’s really working with me on this
series of articles I’m doing. He’s a big help.”
    “Well, just be careful.” He stood up and headed for his
room.
    “Parker?”
    “Hmm?” He turned and stared at her.
    “I don’t want to pry.”
    “Since when?” He laughed.
    She rolled her eyes. “Are you going to tell Lisa about Jace
anytime soon?”
    “Have you said anything to her?” Parker hadn’t told his
family about his new love interest. He wanted to, but he wasn’t sure how they’d
react to him being gay. He was still getting used to the idea.
    “No.” She frowned. “But she knows you’re seeing someone. She
always comments about how happy you are. I told her I didn’t know anything, but
I hate lying.”
    “I’m sorry.” Parker had met Jace’s parents and sister last
weekend at a Sunday brunch. They were very welcoming and accepting, but they
had known about Jace’s sexual orientation for many years. Parker’s family had
no idea, and he wanted to tell them before he introduced them to