chapter six

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o l i v i a

"I have to admit," Hayden starts. "I didn't think he would react that calmly."

"Of course he did," Annalise chimes in. "The New York Blaze didn't make him captain for nothing."

"I'm still in shock, too. I don't think he's fully taken in the news, but I also believe his reaction was genuine," I tell them.

It's a little hard to relax and enjoy the massage I am currently getting because my friends continue to hound me for details—even though we had a two hour long phone call last night after Parker dropped me off at home. I guess they haven't gotten their fill yet.

"How was your meeting with Rebecca?" Annalise asks.

"I'm walking in the Prada show in two weeks," I say. "Hopefully, I don't puke on the runway."

Earlier today, I met with my modeling agent Rebecca along with my manager Georgia to discuss brand endorsements and upcoming photo shoots and events. All I could think about the entire meeting was how they'll react to my pregnancy. Let's just say there is a high chance I will be unemployed in the next few months.

While a pregnancy is something I should disclose to Rebecca and Georgia, considering my line of work, I've decided not to tell anyone else. I'm also really early in my pregnancy to be announcing the news to everyone. But the biggest reason for keeping it on the down low—I haven't fully come to terms with how this pregnancy will affect my life.

Not to mention, this will also impact my relationship with Parker, or shall I say friendship. Prior to me finding out I was pregnant, I couldn't stop thinking about the one night we shared together. In those four weeks, I almost dialed his number a thousand times. I told myself that I didn't have time for a boyfriend. Funny how that turned out.

I know we're only "getting to know each other", but I'd be lying if I said the image of us being a family didn't cross my mind. But that is a far cry from reality. As much as I want to embrace everything Parker offers, it all just seems too good to be true. Like I'm giving myself false hope. Like I said before, I don't think he has fully grasped the news quite yet.

"Olivia, you don't seem to be doing much relaxing." Hayden takes a peek at me, then puts the cucumber back on her eyelid. "Spa day is meant for de-stressing."

I inhale a deep breath. "Sorry. I got a lot on my mind. Thanks for setting this up, Anna."

"Of course," she says. "So tell us about your date tonight."

My thoughts automatically go to the blue eyed blonde Adonis who has taken over my brain. "We're going to that new Italian place on 44th," I grin.

"Ooo! Your first public outing!" Annalise exclaims.

Shit! I didn't even think about that. My mind was so focused on the whole Parker-baby thing that I completely forgot about how the public will react to our 'friendship'.

"Even though I can't see you, I can feel your nervous energy," Hayden says. "Just so you're prepared for tonight, you and Parker will probably be the talk of the town."

"Wow, such comforting words," I quip.

"But who the fuck cares what other people think or say about you," she says.

I do, I want to say. "

"Just remember that if they gossip about you, they're just jealous," Hayden reminds me.

"Totally agree," Anna says. "Anyway, what are you wearing tonight?"

Hayden cuts in before I can respond, "You should totally wear that black baby doll dress with your red Louboutins. Your legs will look killer."

I chuckle. "I don't know how I feel about wearing a scandalous dress and six inch heels."

"What?!" Annalise practically screams. "That's basically a casual outfit for you!"

"I'm not sure Parker, nor the people dining there, would be pleased by my outfit," I say.

Hayden scoffs, "That dress is not scandalous, it's sexy. And you're not a hooker, Ollie." Touché.

________________________

I hear the ring of my doorbell sound through my apartment. A surge of anxiousness yet excitement rush through my nerves. Quickly, I run to my front door—and by run, I mean scurry because it's quite impossible to run in Louboutins.

When I open the door, I choke on a gasp. Holy hell. Standing before me is one drool-worthy view. My eyes run down the length of his godly frame before speaking. "Hi," I finally mutter. I continue gawking at the way his black dress shirt and slacks hug his muscular but lean body.

"Hey, Golden Babe." He tongue ever so slowly runs over his bottom lip. "May I say, you are a sight for sore eyes." I mentally pat myself on the back for listening to Hayden and wearing the black dress.

"Golden Babe?" I quirk an eyebrow at him.

He smiles sheepishly. "Deacon called you Golden Babe when he caught me ogling you the first night we met. Hockey players are big on nicknames, so this one stuck." The endearment makes my heart flutter.

I eye the bouquet of pink roses in his hand. "These are for you." Parker hands them to me.

I stifle a squeal. "What a gentleman," I reply, taking the flowers from him. He is so sweet!

"Come in," I open the door for him to step into the apartment. As I walk into the kitchen to trim the roses and set them into a vase, Parker looks around my living room.

"You have a nice place," he says. Whereas Parker's condo has a darker aesthetic, most of my furniture and decor are beige and white. I'd call it 'New York chic.'

I smile. "Thanks."

I catch him looking at the framed photos on my shelf. He grabs the one with a cherry red frame and holds it up to his face for closer inspection. I know exactly what picture he's looking at—it was taken when I was thirteen and had just gotten braces.

Parker looks back at me. "Is this you and grandma?"

I shake my head. "Actually, that was my next door neighbor back in Jersey."

He nods in response. "Even with braces, your smile was bright and beautiful." My cheeks blush at his words.

I grab a glass vase from my cabinet and fill it with water then place the roses inside. Once I'm done, I head over to the coat rack. Parker helps me put on my red trench coat. Chivalry is still alive, ladies.

________________________

As Parker and I enter the two large glass doors, people immediately turn their heads to look at us. I hear their whispers, some even point. I was prepared to get attention from the public, but right now, I feel like some rare animal at the zoo as everyone stares at Parker and I. Who the fuck cares what other people say or think, Hayden's words run through my mind.

The dim lighting of the restaurant gives off a
romantic mood. Judging by the men dressed in expensive suits and ties and the women drowning in pearls and diamonds, this restaurant is high-end.

A young man walks up to us. He seems awestruck by our presence. "Welcome to Delittevole. I'm Reeve and I'll be your server, tonight."

An older man appears beside Reeve. "It's not every day a professional hockey player and supermodel walks into your restaurant," he says. "It is a pleasure to meet you guys, Mr. Baylor and Ms. Windsor. I'm Sergio Rossi, the owner of Delittevole. How would you feel about a private table in the back of the restaurant? There's a floor to ceiling window that overlooks the city."

Parker looks to me, and I smile and nod. "That would great."

Both Reeve and Sergio usher us to a table in a more private setting. The view is absolutely spectacular. Parker helps me out of my coat and pulls out the chair for me. His mother sure did raise him right.

We browse through the menu, every now and then stealing quick glances at each other. He sets aside his menu. "What are you getting?"

"I would normally choose a caesar salad, light on the dressing-" He gives me a warning glance, knowing that a salad won't fill me up. "-but I'm going with the lemon ricotta pasta with chicken." Parker gives me a content smile.

I know my diet is one of many things I'll need to work on. Before I knew about the baby, I didn't realize how unhealthy it was to ignore my growling stomach or eat small, insufficient portions of food. But now, I'm worried if the baby is getting enough nutrients or if i'm drinking enough water. It feels nice not to constantly count my calories. And I know I still have to maintain a slim frame, but the baby's health—as well as mine—is more important than a few extra pounds.

After Reeve takes down our orders, Parker flashes me his panty-dropping smirk. "So Olivia, tell me everything about you."

I giggle. "Even my dirty laundry?"

"Even your dirty laundry," he says in a serious tone.

"Well, my middle name is Monroe after my grandmother. I'm from Edgewater, New Jersey, so my hometown is pretty close to my current residence. But, I don't go home often, which leads me to the reason why—" I take a second to compose myself.

"I grew up with three older sisters, so everything was a competition in my household. My parents expected a lot from us, and it always seemed like I was the one to disappoint them. My siblings were exceptionally smart and excelled at math and science, while I was more interested in fashion and art. They went to college and medical school then became doctors, and I—I ran away to New York City to become a model. As you can probably guess, they were pretty furious. I'm just the black sheep of the family," I shrug.

Parker has a stern expression. I'm about to say something when he grabs my hands across the table. "You're underestimating yourself, Olivia. You're not giving yourself enough credit. You're a fucking supermodel, the best in the industry. I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm pissed at your family for making you feel less than."

I smile. "I guess I always thought my accomplishments would never equate to theirs. Sometimes I think to myself, I should stop trying to impress them because there's no way I'll ever measure up to their expectations. I mean, my sisters are saving lives everyday. But hey, at least I'm doing something that I love."

"Don't compare yourself to your sisters. You followed your heart and made a name for yourself." Parker gently squeezes my hands. "So, how did you get into modeling?"

"Mrs. Bronwyn, the neighbor you saw in the picture, introduced me to modeling. Not directly, but she would buy me Vogue magazines from the store and bring them back for me to browse through." I smile fondly at the memory.

Parker waits for me to continue. "I was excluded by my sisters every time they'd hang out. Mrs. Bronwyn, a widow, opened her door to me. I'd read the magazines while she baked chocolate chip cookies for us," I tell him. "I haven't seen her in a while, but she still sends me magazines in the mail, every so often."

"She sounds like an amazing woman," Parker grins.

"She is," I nod.

Our food is delivered and we eat in comfortable silence for a few minutes. "Okay, I want to know something about you," I say.

"Well, my middle name is Loren," he starts the same way I did. "I'm originally from Seattle but moved here when I was drafted. Unlike you, I'm an only child."

"An only child, huh? Sounds nice," I say.

"You think it would be, but it gets lonely. I constantly begged my parents for a sibling. Luckily, a boy around my age moved into my cul-de-sac. His name was Greyson, and we became best friends because our shared love of hockey." Parker looks down at the table.

"When we were sixteen, he passed away," he says. "Grey was diagnosed with Leukemia and fought like hell for two years. Ultimately, cancer won the battle."

My chest tightens. "Oh Parker, I'm so sorry." I reach across the table and grab his hands the same way he did to me.

He smiles softly. "Greyson was a great guy. I remember us two staying after practice to get more training in, cliff jumping into lakes, racing down the streets on our bikes. Watching him at his weakest, fighting so damn hard, definitely shaped me into the person I am today."

"He I wish I got a chance to meet him. Meet the guy who made my baby daddy so freaking awesome," I look at him with so much admiration. How did I end up with the most perfect baby daddy?

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