Chapter 23
Parker glanced down at Philip in his tee shirt and shorts. She looked up at Kelly.
"He looks adorable."
Kelly slid his arms around her. She looked up at him, not sure what was coming next. He bent forward and kissed her. After about five seconds, she broke the kiss and the embrace.
"We don't have time to end up in bed again," she reminded.
"Not today at any rate," he agreed.
He was disappointed. He wanted to be in Parker and Philip's life, but she was resisting. He understood why. She had abandonment issues because of her being orphaned. He was willing to wait to get her change her mind. He had convinced himself that she had turned the corner earlier, but he wasn't totally convinced.
"So I'll meet you on the Pier at 2?" she asked.
He nodded.
"I'll see you then."
After taking Mary Alice grocery shopping and having lunch, Parker made her way to the boat that she would be repairing shortly. She glanced around. No Kelly. She was late, and she wondered if he had come and gone. She checked her phone and found nothing. 'Damn you Kelly Severide,' she thought. 'Just when I think I can trust you, you pull this shit.'
She sighed. She had made an ass out of herself with him again. She had slept with him again, and she mentally kicked herself for being so easy and giving in to him. She set her tool box on the pier and started to work on the boat.
"Hey," she heard Kelly's voice.
She glanced up. She took in the purple ring around his eye. "What the hell happened?" she asked.
"Was sitting at a light and some drunk plowed into me. Airbag went off."
She sighed with relief. Airbag going off meant that he wasn't driving his vintage Camaro. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah. MRI was negative. Just keep ice on it."
She wanted to kick herself again. He was hurt and she was pissed that he was late. She reached out her arms. He bent down and hugged her. "I'm sorry you're hurt. Want to stay with us for a few days?"
"You gonna play nurse?" he asked, chuckling.
"I can dispense ice and Band-Aids."
"I can do that."
He jumped in the boat and checked out the engine. "You know I don't like staying at my place now that Shay's gone."
She nodded. She got the hint. He didn't like living alone. She got that and understood it. Thing was, she didn't want him staying longer than a night or two because she didn't want to interfere in his dating life.
"I'm sure you'll be able to find a place if you want to move."
"I still think we should get a place," he hinted.
"I like my place. I don't want to move."
Kelly nodded. It was obvious she wasn't ready to share a place with him yet. He decided not to push the issue again. As he picked up a wrench, he wondered how long he was going to have to wait to get her to change her mind.