The parking lot was nearly empty now, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the cracked pavement. The hum of distant traffic, the occasional chirp of a bird, the rustle of wind through the trees—background noise, distant, meaningless. Inside the car, it was different. Stifling. Tense. Silent, except for the soft knock against the window.
Tap. Tap.
Parker didn't move. Didn't breathe. Maybe if he stayed still enough, she'd think he wasn't there. Maybe she'd decide she was hallucinating and walk away. Maybe—
Another knock. Slower. Playful. Like she had all the damn time in the world.
Fuck it.
With a heavy sigh, he reached over and pushed the passenger door open. If he didn't, she'd just keep knocking like some horror villain until he caved. At least this way, it was on his terms. The door swung open upwards, and the golden afternoon light spilled in—
And so did she.
