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ChapterOne
QUINN
“I invested everything, and now we’re on track to be the most profitable start-up in…”
“Blah, blah, blah, blah…”That was basically all I heard.
This guy had dominated the conversation so thoroughly that he’d become that voice from the cartoons that faded into unintelligible repetitive sounds.
This guy had matched with me on a dating app. I didn’t even remember which one at this point. I thought this night would never end. Reaching a point of a bored kind of panic and restlessness, I kept crossing and uncrossing my legs under the table.
“Quinn?” the man prompted.
I had to mentally scramble for his name. Oh right, this was Brad.
“Yes?” I replied, my tone perfectly polite as I pasted a tight smile on my face.
Brad cocked his head to the side. He was handsome enough, objectively speaking, with straight, short blond hair and brown eyes with sharp features. I felt nothing, not even a glimmer of a spark. Dating apps were shit. I should’ve known I didn’t need to waste my time on this guy or any guy.
Yet I was trying and trying and trying to find someone. Dating in the tiny fishbowl of Fireweed Harbor, Alaska, my hometown, was limited. Pickings were slim enough to blow away with a puff of air.
“Did you even hear what I said?” he returned sharply.
“I’m sorry, I’m a little distracted.” It wasn’t like I needed this date to go anywhere. I figured I might as well be honest.
Brad nodded. “Fair enough. Shall we split the check?”
Just then, I felt a prickle of awareness chase up my spine. And I knew, Iknew, without knowing, that Kenan Cannon was somewhere nearby. Which was insane. Because I was in Seattle, and he should’ve been back in Fireweed Harbor.
Seconds later, he stopped beside the table, his alert eyes landing on mine. “Hello there, Quinn.”
Kenan was one of my closest friends. I’d never, repeat thatnever, been attracted to him until a few months ago when this weird thing happened one night. I was still convinced it had been a fluke, except that stupid flare of chemistry was now simmering between us like molten lava.
My belly fluttered, and my pulse kicked up its heels before taking off at a fast gallop.
“Oh, hi!” I squeaked, silently cursing as soon as my voice came out. I didn’t squeak.
I gestured to Brad. “This is Brad. Brad, Kenan Cannon.” My hand swung toward Kenan. I scrambled inside, trying to think of some reason Kenan was here.
Brad’s brows hitched up, a calculating glint entering his eyes. He stood quickly, holding out his hand. “Hi, nice to meet you. Brad Smith. I’m heading up…”
My brain turned up the static. I was so very weary of listening to Brad talk about his business.
“I heard Fireweed Industries moved their headquarters out of Seattle,” Brad was saying as I forced my brain to focus again. He released Kenan’s hand.
Kenan nodded. “We did. Like Quinn, I’m traveling. We still keep a small office here. I’m kind of the do-everything guy for our corporation.” His gaze caught mine. “Quinn’s here handling a legal matter for us, and I’m coordinating with a few of our distribution warehouses.”
Brad nodded along. “Well, I’d love to set up a meeting. I know you all invest in various ventures, and I’d love the opportunity to explain ours to you.”
It was all I could do not to groan aloud. Just when I thought this date would end, Kenan had to show up and make the guy want to linger.
I felt Kenan’s gaze on me. I almost snorted when I saw the knowing look in his eyes. He totally knew I was ready to get the hell out of here.
He glanced at Brad. “I don’t have time tonight, but you can send me an email. It’s on our website. I’ll follow up if it looks like something we might be interested in. Meanwhile, I don’t want to interrupt.”
Oh. My. God. Instead of saving me from this endless, boring date, he was going to excuse himself? What the fuck?
I stood so fast that my thighs bumped into the table, jostling my now empty glass of wine. “We were just about to get the check,” I said swiftly.
