Always Been You by Lily Miller
Two
Parker
A knockon the door jolts me awake. I roll over to check the time on the clock. It’s 7 a.m. on a Saturday. Who freakin’ knocks on your door this early on the weekend? Whoever it is better have waffles and bacon.
I get out of bed, throw on my sweatpants and head for the door. I run my hand through my hair, making a half-assed attempt to look presentable.
I glance through the peephole and see Jordan, my assistant, looking wide awake and far too energetic for this time of day. It’s a blessing and a curse living where you work. They always know where to find you.
My penthouse suite on the sixth floor of the Seaside Hotel has an unobstructed view of the Hudson. You can’t beat living in Soho with its cobblestone streets, high end restaurants and designer stores. I have taken advantage of it all since moving to New York eight years ago.
We knew we struck gold when the previous hotel went on the market. And that’s exactly when I packed my bags and made the big move from my hometown. When my dad had offered me the opportunity of opening the first Seaside Hotel in New York, I knew it was too good to turn down. Besides, I needed a distraction after everything that had happened in Reed Point. A fresh start in a new city, I thought that would do the trick. But here I am, still talking myself into that theory eight years later.
I haven’t got a clue what time I made it to bed last night, but I do remember that gorgeous brunette I didn’t take home. What the hell had gotten into me? She threw herself at me - literally. I had just taken a seat at the bar and ordered myself a scotch when she slithered onto the bar stool next to me and practically right onto my lap.
It had been a day from hell and all I wanted to do was have a quick drink and go to bed. But there she was in a low-cut dress that left nothing to the imagination. All I could come up with was a cheesy one liner: “You come here often?” Man, I was off my game and had no idea why. She didn’t seem to mind.
I ordered her a drink and we made small talk. She had big, round dark eyes and full lips with long, wavy brown hair. She was to any man’s standards a 10 and she was laying it on thick. I felt the toes of her stiletto rub along my calf as her eyes went up one side of me and down the other.
She made it clear she was mine for the night if I wanted her, but the problem was I didn’t. And I was starting to realize why. I am heading home tomorrow. I am physically in New York City, but my mind is already in Reed Point. With her.
I had lived in New York for the last eight years and bringing women back to my suite has never been a problem. Relationships aren’t my thing anymore, which suits me just fine. Running a multimillion-dollar hotel chain is what gets me off. And besides, no one has ever compared to her. After all these years, I’m not sure if anyone ever could.
The thought of going back home today has brought all of those memories right back to the surface. It’s the reason I stay away from Reed Point. But there was no getting out of the anniversary party tonight; if I was a no-show it would break my mom’s heart. I know how much she misses me, how much they all miss me, and truth be told, I miss them too. I want to see my brothers and my sister in spite of all of the memories waiting for me in Reed Point.
“Hey Jordan.” I swing the door open to meet my early bird assistant. “You sure are eager this morning. You can’t be human.” I rub my eyes and motion him inside.
“Good morning to you too, Parker, and aren’t you a vision. Late night last night?” he says sarcastically, crossing the threshold into my apartment.
“Remind me why I put up with you again?” I shake my head.
Jordan laughs and takes a seat on the couch, stretching his long legs out in front of him.
“Listen, you know your dad has been busting my balls to make sure you are out of this hotel in plenty of time to make it home by four o’clock. He has made it clear that your family, not your work, comes first this weekend. And you know your mom wants to spend a little time with you before the party. So, you my friend, need to get a move on.”
“Ahh, he’s got you doing his dirty work now. I see how this goes.” I laugh and head to the kitchen to make myself a coffee.
“No offense, Parker, but there’s no one I know with a nicer family. Why do you always seem so reluctant to go home?”
“Relax Jordan, you know I’m a momma’s boy deep down. I like spending time with my family. I’m packed and will be ready to hit the road after a shower and some breakfast, so you can save the Dr. Phil shit.”
I open the blinds to that view I have come to love and check on the coffee.
Honestly, Jordan is right. My family is the best. I grew up with two loving and supportive parents who still amazingly love each other after forty years of marriage. My two brothers and sister are my best friends. My older brother Liam, a hot shot lawyer, is the over-achiever of the family. He works non-stop trying to make partner at his law firm back home. Work has been, and always will be, the love of his life.
And then there is Miles. My younger brother is an actor who has a new woman on his arm weekly. He has homes all over the place: Los Angeles, Vancouver, London and he often stays in New York at the Seaside with me. He travels a lot while filming so I always love when I get to see him.
Juliette, or Jules as she prefers to be called, is the baby of the family. Like me, she works for the family business. She is head of marketing and social media for the Seaside chain and has an office at our Reed Point location with our father. I think he secretly likes having her under his wing. For the youngest member of the family, she has always been exceptional at bossing us all around. She hasn’t always followed the rules, but she has matured over the years, thank fuck, and has a boyfriend who seems to make her happy enough.
“Has the email come through from Nelson?” I ask Jordan, grabbing two mugs from the cabinet above me. Nelson Baker is our corporate lawyer, he’s been with the Seaside Hotel chain since the early days. He not only provides us with legal counsel, but he also provides business advice too. “Why does he have to make me wait on every small detail of this deal? I wanted to have this wrapped up before I went home to see my dad.” I pour two cups of coffee and, after handing one to Jordan, sink into the armchair opposite him. I sip my liquid bliss, beginning to feel almost human.
“Nothing yet, Boss, but I’m on it. You’ll hear from me the minute I know more. You know how he can be.”
“This has to happen fast. I’ve got city inspectors ready to go in four weeks and the paperwork is still not signed.” My gaze returns to the floor-to-ceiling windows and that killer view. Even after all these years, I can’t get enough of it. It will be tough to leave it, but the new Seaside development means a move to Cape May – not exactly the New York vibe I’ve come to love, but business is business and I’m an all-in kind of guy. The thrill and the rush of turning a blank canvas into a Bennett boutique hotel is what I live for.
“That reminds me, have you booked my hotel in Cape May?”
“Yes, you are booked at the Pier Hotel in their executive suite. It’s no Seaside, but you’ll be right in the heart of the city. It is the best Cape May has to offer and it will work until we find you something permanent. But I gotta tell you Parker… your sex life is about to go down the drain. Unless you’ve developed a thing for the over 50’s set you’re pretty much fucked once you move there. Actually, not fucked may be a more accurate way of putting it.”
“Don’t remind me, Jordan, I’ve already planned the funeral for my soon-to-be murdered sex life. When I pitched this location to my dad last year, I forgot to take that into consideration.” I massage the back of my neck where my muscles are tensing.
This will be our ninth Seaside property and there is no sign of it being our last. The Bennett formula has proven to work.
My dad took one small hotel inherited to him from his father and found a niche market for boutique hotels on the east coast. He has a brilliant mind for business and an instinct that has always steered him in the right direction. He has taught us to trust our gut instinct, too. If it doesn’t feel right it probably isn’t. My instincts are the reason I was so sure of this Cape May deal. I knew I wanted this property the minute I laid eyes on it. I can feel it, and I’m so close to closing the deal and breaking ground.
A move to the Cape will be followed by a year and a half of overseeing construction and then a grand opening to plan.
“Thanks for the coffee, Parker, I’ve gotta go,” Jordan says, getting up and heading for the door. “I’ll have your car ready for you at the entrance for 10 a.m. Good?”
“Ten o’clock is perfect. Thanks Jordan. Call me if you hear anything from Nelson. My phone will be on.” I walk Jordan to the door and clap him on his shoulder. He has been my assistant since the start and he’s damn good at what he does. He knows when to push me and when to give me space. He even knows I’m hungry before I do. It helps that we are close in age - he gets me.
After Jordan leaves, I hop into a hot shower. My mind drifts back to last night. How the hell did I leave that smoking hot brunette at the bar? And why? That was not me. Short flings are what I do best. No strings attached. I’ve had a few relationships since moving to New York, but never found anyone that could keep me interested for long. It’s not that I’m a dick. I respect women and I’m always upfront and honest with them. I just haven’t been able to find someone here who I can truly open up to.
With my bags packed I head down to the lobby, where I am greeted by the concierge.
“Hello Mr. Bennett, can I take your bags to the car for you? It is ready and waiting for you with cold bottles of water and your favorite clubhouse from Jimmy’s.”
“Thanks Charles, you’ve always got my back bud. How are the kids? And how’s that adorable new granddaughter of yours? Got any new pictures?” I ask as we walk together to the car.
“Not today, Mr. Bennett, but I’ll have some ready for you on your return. You be sure to drive safe now. We will miss you around here.” Charles places my bags in the trunk and rounds the back of the car to the passenger window with a smile.
“You bet, Charles. I’m looking forward to seeing my family, I’ll see you in a few days.” I jump in the car, shoot Miles a quick text letting him know that I am on my way, and head for the Southern State Parkway.
Miles and I have plans to go for a quick run and catch up before the house fills with guests. It will be good to see him and I know it will be a good workout. Miles never misses a day of running and we are both competitive by nature, always wanting to outdo each other.
I have been driving for four hours when I exit the highway to Reed Point. As I drive down First Street, I feel my pulse start to quicken. I know that if I take the next right, I will be at the beach house where we spent so many days and nights together. Just the two of us. The thought of that one familiar turn is all it takes to bring everything crashing right back.
Olivia Madden.
The one girl I gave my heart to. My everything. My once upon a time.
I shake the fog from my head and continue driving to my parent’s place. Focus, Parker and keep on driving, I tell myself.
I navigate my Audi up the long driveway and shift the gear into park. After taking my bag from the trunk, I make my way to the large front doors of the home I grew up in. Before I have the chance to knock, the door swings open.
“Hello, my sweetheart, I have missed you,” my mother exclaims, greeting me at the door. “My gosh, am I happy to see you!”
“Hi Mom, I’ve missed you too, you look great. Are you ready for your big night?” I give her a hug and follow her into the family room.
“I am now, I have all of my boys and my Jules here with me. What more could I ask for? Your siblings are around here somewhere. I think Miles has been waiting for you.” My mother beams, tidying the kitchen. “Oh, and Parker, make sure you are around for three o’clock, okay? Your dad and I miss you and I would like to spend some time with all of my children before the party starts.”
“You bet, Mom. I’ll see you then.” I promise, pulling my suitcase towards the staircase and my childhood bedroom where I will be staying.
At nearly 10,000 square feet, the home I grew up in is a lot larger than most but it’s still inviting with its warm hardwood floors, cream walls, large plush area rugs and pine wood beams in the ceiling. The walls are covered in family photos of every occasion and memory my mother can’t bear to let go of. I remember the home always being full of family and friends, with my mother in her glory waiting on them hand and foot.
The spacious kitchen is situated at the back of the house with accordion windows leading out to the pool and grounds. That’s where you can always count on finding my mother. Ever since I can remember she has loved to cook and bake and there was usually a fresh batch of cookies or brownies waiting for us after school. The scent would hit us as soon as we walked through the front door.
On my way up the stairs, I glance out the window at the back yard, which has been set up for the party. There are two long tables draped with white tablecloths adjacent to the pool. Party planners are busy setting the tables and arranging the chairs. There are tall round bar tables on the opposite side of the large rectangular pool in front of a bar where two bartenders are busy unloading mixes and spirits.
“Hello, son.” I feel my father’s strong hand on my shoulder. I turn around and give him a hug. My dad is just slightly shorter than my six-foot-two frame. He is trim and in good shape and the lines around his eyes are not so much signs of age as they are of his open heart. It is the aspect of my father’s character I most admire. There is no doubt we are related. I inherited his dark features, his love of business and the Bennett charm.
“Hey Dad, it’s good to see you. How are you? Has Mom spent all of your money with this party?” I tease, knowing full well my dad could never say no to my mother.
“It’s good to see you too, Parker, and in answer to your question, I hope one day you too will know the pleasure of wanting to give a woman whatever she deserves.” He winks and turns to see my two brothers heading in our direction. “That goes for these two knuckle heads as well.”
“Parker, you made it!” Miles grabs me around the neck, pulling me into an affectionate choke hold. It is our standard greeting. “You still up for a run or do you think you can’t handle me?” Miles laughs as I push him off of me and adjust the neck of my shirt.
“Handle you? I will own you. Let’s go, asshole. Are you coming, Liam?”
“You guys go have your fun. Someone needs to work around here. It’s good to see you, Parks.” Liam, always the workaholic, turns to the den, where I’d noticed his makeshift office already set up for the weekend.
I run upstairs and change into a pair of athletic shorts and an old t-shirt and then meet Miles on the driveway. We decide to do our usual five-mile loop, which will take us along the beach.
I take notice how the weather is perfect today. Getting outside is just what I need to clear my cluttered mind. I had left my phone at home, knowing it would be too tempting to check it. I am making an effort to be present this weekend and leave work at the door.
“Tell me the latest, Miles, how’s the movie going? Where are you at with it?”
“Just wrapped up filming last week and I think it’s going to be a game changer for me. It’s a different side to me than my fans have seen. And the chemistry with Natalie is off the charts. It’s good, Parks, really good. I’ve got two months off and then I’m working on my next project.”
“So, tell me, just how good was that chemistry with Natalie? She is fucking hot.”
“She is more than fucking hot, but possibly the only girl I know who is totally out of my league.” Miles chuckles. “She’s the girl you would bring home to mom.”
“Then she’s totally not the girl for you, Miles.” I laugh as our running shoes pound the pavement rounding the corner to the boardwalk. The ocean now in view, the waves crashing onto the smooth sandy beach.
“You’re one to talk. You haven’t had one decent relationship your whole adult life. You take ‘smash and dash’ to a whole new level,” Miles says, upping his pace, making me work to catch up. My t-shirt now sticky on my skin, sweat dripping down my flushed face.
“Looks like you are getting too old for our runs there, old man. Might be time to sign up for a walking group.”
I kick it into high gear. There is no way I am letting my little brother outpace me. The three of us boys have been this way since birth, always competing for first place.
We were born into a family of over-achievers.