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The world must be spinning off its axis— I’m in love, Quinn is gone, and my brother is getting married. Holy fuck.
Rick tossed the phone on the couch next to him, his surreal conversation with his brother replaying in his head. He knew what he wanted to do, he just didn’t know how to do it or if Quinn would even be interested in seeing him. Or maybe he was stupid to think about being with her and he should salvage his tattered ego by walking away. Once more, a pain stabbed him in the chest when he thought about never being with Quinn again. He absently put his hand up to rub the spot over his heart.
This was going to take sacrifice on his part, and a whole lot of patience that Rick wasn’t sure if he had… emotions and shit he didn’t know anything about.
Fuck, was this even worth it?
As Rick said the words to himself, he already knew the answer to his question. Yes, Quinn was most definitely worth it, but she had already burned him once. Could he withstand going through it again?
Can’t get any worse, right? What have I got to lose? Besides my mind.
Chapter 2
Quinn didn’t see much of Rick the first week she was back, just that one time at the front desk, and in passing when she cut through the gym. She didn’t avoid him, but she didn’t engage him in conversation either. It was horrifically awkward with Quinn spending most of her time ducking her eyes or burning from humiliation.
I’m a total wuss. He hates me.
The couple of times they made actual eye contact, it seemed as if Rick had something he wanted to say, but he never made a move to approach her or try to talk to her. Quinn felt beyond stupid. She knew she screwed it up royally. But in all honestly, she really did need to fix her own life before attempting any kind of relationship. Hell, she still hadn’t filed divorce papers to rid herself of Travis, the human cancer. She couldn’t be who she wanted to be with Rick. And who even said he wanted anything with her anyway? Maybe it was presumptuous to assume he thought of her as anything but a fun night? Maybe he was glad she left and just nursing a bruised ego?
“Quinn?”
She glanced up from her computer to find Mara Paxton standing in front of her desk.
“Hey Mara.” Quinn attempted a smile, but the best she could do was weak and unconvincing.
Mara’s perfect red lips turned down. Quinn was a little hurt when her friend gave her a harsh glare. “What the hell happened to you? Everyone was so worried. Rick was a complete mess. What on earth did you do to that man?”
Oh.
“Mara,” Quinn hissed under her breath, “could we discuss this somewhere else?”
Mara looked around the empty lobby, puzzled. “There’s no one here, Qu
inn.”
“I know, but…” her eyes darted towards the inner door, “anyone could come out at any time.” Quinn didn’t want to tell Mara that she was afraid Rick would come into the lobby and be furious that she was discussing their hookup.
“Fine, but we’re getting together this weekend, and you’re telling me what’s going on with you.” Mara put her hands on her hips and attempted to give Quinn a stern look, but a smile broke through.
Quinn couldn’t help it. Despite feeling like a class-A jerk, she laughed. “Fine, fine. I have to meet with my lawyer Saturday, but I can meet you for lunch on Sunday.”
“Okay, and you’re also going to tell me why you have a lawyer.”
“Oh, I forgot. Here.” Quinn scribbled something down and pushed a piece of paper across her desk. “I finally have a cell phone. This is my number.”
“Wow. Joining the twenty-first century, are we? How forward of you.”
“I know. I figured it was time.”
Quinn didn’t bother explaining to Mara that Travis had never allowed her to have a phone, or that she had no money to get one until she claimed her father’s estate. She curled up her fingers to run them over the jagged ridge from the scar on her right palm, a silent reminder that she did have it in her to be strong.
“I’ll call you tomorrow to set something up,” Mara said just as Clint emerged from the back, sliding his arm around Mara’s waist. He dwarfed his fairly tall wife, making her look waifish in comparison to his enormous body.
“Ready to go, babe?”
Mara looked up at her husband lovingly. “Yep. Let’s go.” She turned to Quinn, “I’ll call you.”
“See you Monday, Quinn,” Clint called out as the couple left the building.
