that they let me sleep all day, but I feel so much better, especially after a shower. I wash my entire body, my hair and shave. I feel like a new woman once i'm moisturised and finished. I slip into a cute little black skirt, and a brown sweater vest with a black fitted crop beneath it. I wear my black nike socks because I find a strange sense of joy out of matching my socks to the rest of my outfit.

I part my damp hair in the middle and comb it back into a low bun, which actually looks a lot cuter than I thought. I brush my brows up with brow gel, put on a bit of mascara and vaseline before looking at myself in the mirror. There, a little less homeless.

Once I'm back downstairs, I notice some people in the kitchen, one wearing a white chef hat and the other two wearing hairnets. They have caterers for family dinner night? Boujee.

I almost slip on the marble as I reach the living area, reaching out and grabbing on to the closest thing near me. That thing happens to be an arm, held out for me by James.

"Hi." I smile, my cheeks heating up with embarrassment.

"Hi." he says, studying my face. "Elena you look..." he fumbles a little and I smile at him as he tries to find the words. "...clean."

I raise my eyebrows. "I would hope so."

"You look hot Elena." Neki says, and I turn to look at him. He's leaning against the back of his couch, his chin resting on his arms.

"Thank you Neki." I laugh.

He looks over at James with a smug expression , smiling and turning back to Jack, who is sat beside him on his Nintendo Switch.

I frown.

"Where's Parker?" I turn to James.

"He came back while you were asleep, but went back out. He said he had to get something." James shrugs. "He should be back s-"

Before he gets to finish his sentence, the front door clicks open, in walking none other than Mr Ashford himself.

Parker looks over at us, a bag in his hand.

My heart picks up pace when I see him. I'm not sure why. He was gone before I woke up so it's my first time seeing him today, and I can't help but admire how good he looks in his kit.

"How long have I got?" he asks James.

"It's 5, so you're parents won't be home for another half an hour."

Parker nods before starting up the stairs.

Ouch. No snide or smug comment? He didn't even acknowledge me.

I shake it off, walking around the couch to sit beside Jackson and James follows, sitting on the one vertical to this one. I'm not sure how long it's been, but I hear the door unlock. I look over my shoulder to see Mrs Ashford walking in, shrugging off her long coat. Mr Ashford steps in afterwards, lowering a large black umbrella and clicking it shut.

Mrs Ashford looks up, a smile on her face when she sees us. Her husband slips by, nodding once in our direction before disappearing into the office behind the stairs.

"Hey kids!" she grins, making me smile. I turn around, resting on the back of the chair.

Jack and Neki mumble a hello, not even turning from the game. James smiles, giving a brief wave before looking back down at his phone.

"Hi Margot. How was work?" I ask and she smiles wider.

"It was good thank you dear." she hangs her coat, looking over into the kitchen. "That smells wonderful! Where's Parky?"

"I'm here Mom."

My eyes are drawn to the stairs as Parker reaches the bottom, grey joggers and a black fitted tshirt on. I look back to Margot to refrain from blushing.

"Okay, I'd like everyone to go wash their hands before dinner, we're having quesadillas!" she claps, walking over to the kitchen.

Jackson's attention is drawn from his switch at the sound of quesadillas which makes me smile. He finishes whatever him and Neki have been doing before switching it off and getting up. James follows the two of them to the downstairs bathroom. I push myself to my feet, but hang back so that we aren't all cramped in the bathroom at once.

Once they've all washed their hands, I go in, turning on the warm tap. I lather my hands in soap, and as I'm rinsing them off I glance up at myself in the mirror, but instead, I catch sight of Parker in the reflection. He's leant against the doorframe on his phone. I study his face, looking at the freckles littering his cheeks and forehead. His hair is short at the sides, but medium length and a little curly. His lips are pink and full. He's gorgeous.

"You've been washing your hands for a while, Kinsley." his eyes flick up.

I clear my throat, flicking off the faucet and moving over to the towel and drying my hands. Parker steps forward, slipping his phone in his pocket and washing his own hands. His arm brushes against mine and I feel him look down at me. I turn on my heels, leaving the bathroom.

Everyone else is already seated: Mr Ashford at the head of the table, Mrs Ashford on the seat to the left of him, Jackson beside her. Neki is opposite Mrs Ash, James opposite Jack, so I only really have two seat options.

I walk over, smiling at no one in particular and pulling out the seat beside James. He looks up at me, trying to suppress a smile. I smooth my skirt before sitting down, sliding my chair forward a little. A few moments later Parker appears, taking the only seat left opposite me next to his brother.

The lady and man that were in hairnets appear from the kitchen, three dishes balanced in their hands each. I would've fumbled that so badly. Mr and Mrs Ashford, Neki, Jackson and James all receive their dishes. The other waiter looks confused, and then her eyes widen. She whispers something to the other guy and he grimaces, stopping him from placing the plate in front of Parker.

"I'm so sorry Mrs Ashford, but we're one dish short. We assumed it would be the same amount as usual." he genuinely seems pained.

Margot puts down her fork, looking upset. "Felix, I told you last week that Elena was moving in." she sighs.

"I'm sorry ma'am." he shakes his head, turning to me. "My apologies to you Miss Elena, your meal will be about 40 minutes."

I smile at him. "It's okay."

As Felix leans forward to place the final plate down, Parker lifts his hand to the bottom of the plate, stopping him. He takes the dish in his own hand, leaning forward and placing it in front of me.

I look down at the plate, and then at him. "No, Parker." I sigh.

I go to pick up the plate, but he shakes his head. "Take it Kinsley, I'll wait."

"It's fine. I don't mind waiting." I insist.

"Take it." he repeats.

I sigh, feeling terrible. As I glance up, I notice Mrs Ashford looking down at her food and smiling.

I pick up my cutlery, slicing the abnormally large quesadilla in two and picking up half, placing it on a smaller plate that I'm assuming was for dessert. I push the plate towards Parker and he sighs.

"It's fine Elena." he says, just loud enough for me to hear him over the others chatter.

"Take it." I use his own words on him. His lips twitch upwards and he shakes his head, picking up his cutlery.

We make small talk over dinner, Mr Ashford talks about a promotion he got at work that is way to complicated for anyone under the age of 30 to understand. The male chef brings out the lost quesadilla. I split it in half, sharing it with Parker again. Mr Ashford asks Parker about football, to which he gives minimal response. Mrs Ashford switches the subject to Jackson, who tells her about the games he played with Neki today, and the paintings we did this morning. Once he's finished, Mrs Ashford clears her throat.

"Okay kids, I was gonna save this until dessert, but I'm too excited." she places her napkin down on to her plate.

"Uh, just for refrence what are we having for dessert?" Neki pouts.

She throws her head back, laughing. "We're having strawberry shortcake."

I see Jack's face light up and Parker glances at his, smiling knowingly. He may be a douche, but they really do have a cute relationship.

"Two finger drum roll please." Margot gestures to us and we all begin drumming the table lightly with our index and middle fingers.

"Next week, we're going to Hawaii!"

James and Neki cheer, Jackson claps excitedly, and Parker smiles. I look at everyone, slightly confused. James looks at me, noticing my confusion, he leans in.

"The Ashfords take all of us on holiday every summer, a new destination each year. We've been doing it since Freshman year." he explains.

I nod, unsure if I've even heard him correctly. I can't focus with the idea of going on holiday, along with the closeness of James' face to mine.

I'm sitting quietly, intently listening to Mrs Ashford speak when I feel something brush between my legs beneath the table. I. subtly glance down, noticing Parker's knee between my thighs. If my feet weren't back and twisted at the ankle, his leg would be sandwiched between mine.

My eyes flick up to him as he casually listens to his mother speak, slouched down in the chair, his arms crossed at his chest.

I know I shouldn't, but before I have time to think about what I'm doing I bring my legs forward so that they're against each side of his. I look back at Mrs Ashford, but I feel him looking at me. My cheeks are probably flushed, but I don't care. He brings his other leg inwards a little, so that one of my legs are trapped between his.

He slouches down further, and the material of his joggers brush the insides of my bare thighs. The sensation makes me breath a little heavier. I rest my chin on my hand, sliding my seat forward a little so that his knee travels further between my legs. He makes the final move forward, pressing his knee against the now pooling wetness between my legs. I almost let out a depraved moan, but cover it with a cough.

I look up at Parker, and his eyes are already on me. He eyes me, which only turns me on more. I move my hips forward, letting my eyes shut.

"Elena? Are you okay?"

I'm dragged back into reality at the sound of my name. I look at Parker in front of me, who is leant forward, resting his head on his crossed arms. His knees no where near me. I look at Mrs Ashford.

I was fantasising.

"You look like you were zoned out dear. Are you feeling unwell?" she looks at me with genuine concern.

I nod, swallowing. "I think I'm gonna go and get some rest." I stand up, smoothing my skirt and pushing the chair in.

"Dinner was lovely, goodnight." I say briefly, not even waiting for a reply before I turn on my heels.

As soon as I reach the stairs, I take them two at a time.

Oh my god.

Oh. My. God.

I was fantasising about Parker at family dinner. In front of him. Next to his best friend. With his parents and little brother at the table.

I was fantasising about Parker Ashford.

And I liked it.

I push my door open and close it behind me, sighing. As I'm about to flop onto the bed and scream into my pillow, I notice a little blue bag. I walk forward, reaching forward and taking it in my hand. As It touches my hand, I instantly know it's a book.

I pull it out, and my heart drops. I run my fingers over the cover, my pulse quickening. He remembered. It's the book I was reading by the poolside. The book that got wrecked.

He bought me a new one.