Page 39 of Open To Negotiation

“I appreciate the offer,” I said with a smile that I hoped looked sincere. “I’ll see you guys next week for the first creative meeting.” I turned and walked out before they could see any disappointment or embarrassment on my face.

12

Quinn

“Let’s go out,” Aubrey said as she took a leaping jump onto my bed, which I was currently laying in.

“Oof,” my breath escaped me as her elbow rammed into my stomach. “Watch it,” I grunted out.

“I’m bored,” she whined with a smile.

“You’ve been here for thirty minutes, you can’t be bored.” I yawned and swatted her hand away as she started to poke me.

“You have been hiding in your apartment for days,” she said as she sat up and rested on her elbows.

She wasn’t exactly wrong, I had been hiding. Since my meeting with Theo on Wednesday, I’d been going to work and then coming straight home, ignoring the text messages from him and trying to focus on reading my book instead. Yesterday he had started calling, but I ignored those too.

I was avoiding him. Because he was charming and endearing and so damn sexy that I didn’t trust myself to keep my distance. I couldn’t tell if he was actually sending mixed signals or if I was just imagining them.

Either way, between getting in my head about my last relationship and him not wanting me in the group chat, I shut down.

It was a good reminder that maybe we should just keep things professional.

“Babe, I don’t know what has gotten into you but it’s Friday night, Max is home with Luna and I don’t work tomorrow. I want to go out!”

“Go out without me.” I grabbed a pillow and shoved it over my face, only for it to be yanked off by Aubrey. “Hey!” I was being a dramatic bitch but it was just where I was at today. “You’re being childish.” My comment didn’t seem to land for her.

“Ryan and his boyfriend Chris are at Pulse.”

I shot a glare at her, she knew whose club that was. And it was Friday night, meaning he was likely there, which both terrified and thrilled me when I thought about going. Ryan was someone Aubrey and I had met in school and we’d become friends. I hadn’t seen him in a while and he was a tempting reason to arise from my depressing hole.

“And how does Ryan know about Pulse?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Don’t look at me like that. I mentioned it to him when you told me about it but he’s already been, twice. His location has nothing to do with the man who is the reason for your sad sack attitude, even though you won’t tell me why.”

“I don’t know…” I didn’t bother telling her that he had texted me this morning asking if I could come out. I still hadn’t replied even when he followed up after a few hours. I could tell he was getting irritated with me. I was hoping that would mean he would give up on me.

The idea of that outcome wasn’t helping either but it seemed easier.

“Come on…” She stood and grabbed my hand, starting to drag me out of bed. “Let’s get you looking hot as fuck and go have ourselves some fun.”

Two hours later we were getting out of our rideshare outside the loud club. It was later than when I was outside last Friday, the line looked even longer, disappearing around the side of the large building. The music was vibrating even out here, and people were abuzz with excitement, voices all blending together.

“Damn, I hate long lines.” Aubrey let out a sigh as she linked her elbow with mine. I didn’t move right away causing her to pause and turn to look at me. “Don’t chicken out, you look amazing.”

I was wearing a black lace bodysuit with thin straps. The lace was heavier over my boobs, but the parts over my stomach were see-through. I had paired it with a black leather skirt, Aubrey forced me into it when I’d originally wanted jeans and a pair of light pink strappy shoes with a low, chunky heel. They were comfy and easy to walk in which met both of my criteria for if I was even going to consider a heel. My hair was down and wavy, mostly because I liked that look the best since it was the easiest.

And I could admit that Aubrey was right, I did look amazing.

“That’s not why I stopped.” I smiled at her, feeling better now that I was out. I’d told her about my evening here, but I had left a few things out. I was just hoping he hadn’t been lying to me. “Follow me.” I took her arm again and made my way to the VIP entrance where there was no line. I ignored the stares of the people who we had to walk by that were waiting in the general line.

“Umm, Quinn. I don’t think we are supposed to be here,” she whispered to me as I kept pulling her along.

I smiled as I recognized the man at the door. “Hey Dane.” He’d already seen us approaching.

“Quinn West.” No smile, but he didn’t look annoyed. That was probably a good sign. “Didn’t receive word you were coming tonight.”

“Is that a problem?” I asked, blinking up at him. Aubrey looked a little confused as she watched our exchange.