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There was no answer to her knock, and she couldn’t see anything through the littleMaybe he’d already left town The thought made her mouth dry

The door was unlocked Parker went in, biting her lip “Ja on the counter

The bedrooht shone from under the door, and she could catch a few strains of reat, he was here She ran a hand over her hair, sed, then knocked and opened the door at the same time

“Hi, baby!” said a voice

A woman’s voice

A wo, very well-endowed, very perky young woman Wow No cellulite there—or anywhere—that was for sure Candles flickering on the sill Harpfrom an iPod speaker

Jaone

The tomen stared at each other, frozen for a horrible second Then Boobalicious jerked the sheet up to her chin “Oh, ht you were someone else!”

“Oh, no, me, too,” Parker said “I’m really, really sorry”

He’d htened as if Apollo rapped around it

“I—I’ll go,” Parker said “My friend used to live here I didn’t realize he already… I’ll— I’m so embarrassed And so sorry”

The woman smiled sheepishly “No, no, I should’ve locked the door My bad, totally I’ht?”

“Well” Parker half griht”

“Thanks” Beautiful girl Woman Whatever

Parker turned to leave, then froze

Apollo’s glass tank was in the corner, complete with the python curled up inside

Then the bedroom door opened, and there was James, a six-pack of beer under one arm

“James,” Parker breathed

“James!” the naked woman said at the same time, albeit much more enthusiastically “Hi, baby!”

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

THIS COULDN’T BE HAPPENING His luck wasn’t this bad A guy goes to Jason’s for supper, comes home to find…this?

James’s eyes ricocheted from one woman to the other Nope, his luck really, really sucked, apparently And what do you say in a situation like this?

“Hi,” he ventured

“Surprise!” Leah said “Um, this nice lady came to see her friend, who, like, lived here before and just ht?”

Oh, indeed James seemed to be paralyzed Speak, idiot, his brain commanded But Leah was in his bed—Leah, for God’s sake How the hell had she found him, even, let alone wound up in his apartment, in his bed, naked? Because yeah, there was her left breast, and while it was a completely excellent breast, he could’ve sworn they broke up, and she and her fabulous rack really had no business being here

But here she was Her pretty red hair was curled, she was all —he didn’t even have candles…hell, she ht them herself—and it was clear what Leah had in mind

And in this corner, there was Parker, wearing jeans and a Joe’s T-shirt and flip-flops, her hair in a ponytail And if—just if—she’d come over to offer the proverbial olive branch, Ja That instead of a branch, she ht whip out a chain saw and cut off his arm Or another body part

He was so screwed “Uh…Parker, this is a friend from home Leah, this is Parker” Yes What was the etiquette in a situation like this? Last names? No?

Leah sat up straighter, finally pulling the sheet over her breast “Parker? Parker, like, Welles? I’ht? Cool! Jaht? Really cool”

“A pleasure to irl drawl in full glory “I gather you’re Jairlfriend”

If looks could castrate…

“Well, yeah” Leah’s voice was charether since, oh, ht, James?”

He didn’t answer

“Eight reat,” Parker said Her expression and tone were completely pleasant “Obviously, my business with James can wait until after you two catch up Welcoht”

She walked past Ja hiht she’d be so stuck-up!”

“I—I’ll be right back,” James said “Stay here” The door to his apartment closed as Parker left Way too classy to slam it, of course

“I wanted to surprise you,” Leah said, a hint of a pout creeping into her voice

“And you did,” he said over his shoulder “Be back soon”

He bolted out the door, clattered down the stairs “Ja the door “There’s a very pretty young lady here to see you! And I believe that children’s author just left!”

“Thanks, Mrs K,” he said, not stopping

“Always in such a hurry, you young people,” she commented

Parker was already a block ahead of him “Parker! Wait up!” he called She didn’t slon He didn’t blame her

He caught up to her in front of Dewey’s and grabbed her by the ar them “Parker, it’s not what you think”

She gave a bitter laugh “Wow That was really the wrong thing to say”

“I didn’t know she was co! I had no idea! You heard her It was a surprise”