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“Yum.” He checked his rearview mirror, backed out of the space. “What’s going on with her and Troy? Have they worked things out after the latest disaster?”
Marie groaned. Darcy and Troy’s troubles were weighing on her. “I don’t know. You saw her Wednesday when we ate at Gladiolas. She was obviously pretty miserable. She’d just found out that morning about Raoul and Sean. I don’t think she’s talked to Troy or that he knows yet.”
“What, you haven’t called to tell him?” He slowed to let another car back out of a parking space in front of him.
“I’m done meddling. I might have really messed up on this one, Quinn. I feel terrible. I should have listened to you and left it alone.”
He made it the rest of the way out of the garage, paid the parking fare and emerged onto the city street. “I think you should meddle one more time.”
“Say what?”
“I’m serious.” He turned right, traveled the block and came to a stop at a red light. “I think Troy should know Darcy’s fears were justified. He should know she’s in pain. He’ll want to help, and maybe they can work things out.”
“Quinn.” She was totally delighted. “You’re as bad as I am.”
“Believe it or not, I was rooting for you to succeed the whole time.”
“Were you?” She smiled over at him, noticing the somber expression he’d been wearing for a while now. “Hey, are you okay? Granted I’m yapping a lot, but you’ve been sort of quiet since dinner.”
“It’s nothing.” He made another turn. “I’m a little tired.”
“Okay.” Her spirits sank. Tired. That wasn’t it.
“I was actually not looking forward to driving home. I was thinking we could—”
“Do you want me to drive?” The second the words were out of her mouth she could have kicked herself. He might have been going to suggest they—
“I was thinking we could spend the night here in town. I know a great place for breakfast. If that sounds feasible for you.”
Feasible? Feasible?
Marie pulled herself together. Yes, she thought that plan was quite feasible. “Sure. You shouldn’t be driving if you’re tired.”
“Right.” He sounded slightly irritated. Marie wanted to reach across the car and smack him. What? He really was tired? That was all this overnight would be about? Not spending more time with her?
He’d given her a chaste kiss after their dinner Wednesday night at Gladiolas. Marie would have been more disappointed if she hadn’t known she’d see him again tonight. And if her declaration, which she’d now decided she’d make—for sure—at the hotel, went badly, that made last Wednesday their last perfect night together as friends, which made a chaste kiss the perfect ending. Because if Quinn didn’t think he could entertain romantic feelings for her, Marie was going to cut the cord completely. She couldn’t bear to think of the first several Friday nights that didn’t include Quinn and Roots, but…she’d survived her husband deserting her for younger blood, she’d sure as hell survive this.
If the declaration went well and Quinn responded—butterflies shimmied up her stomach and into her chest—ha! She’d be calling to thank her louse husband for leaving.
If, if, if. This was nerve-racking. So much that even she couldn’t think of anything more to say. They sat in tense silence from the theater to the front entrance of the downtown Hyatt Regency—oh, my goodness—on the banks of the Chicago River just before it emptied into Lake Michigan.
This was not the type of hotel Marie generally stayed at. To put it mildly. She was more a Comfort Inn kind of girl.
“This okay? I’m a member of their frequent guest program.”
“Oh, sure. I don’t mind slumming occasionally.”
He actually chuckled, which relieved the lines of strain around his mouth and eyes. “Good for you.”
She remembered to wait for him to open her door this time, but before he made it, a uniformed employee graciously helped her out and offered Quinn valet parking, which he accepted before ushering Marie into the sumptuous glass atrium and lobby.
