She gives a curt nod, and I look over my shoulder to Layton, who’s waving me to get on with it already. I pull her along behind me to the other side of the café as the boys gather her belongings and head for her car.
“I wanted to apologize for the way I treated you the other day. I had no right to speak to you like that.” Dropping her hand, I run mine nervously through my longer than usual hair. “It’s no excuse. But, coming back here hasn’t been easy. I’ve had to face a lot of old wounds I should’ve buried long ago. None of which were your fault.” I pause to try to gather the right words to convey what I’m feeling. I don’t want to completely screw this up. “My past I was ready for. I’ve built a fireproof exterior to protect myself from that. It’s the unexpected that’s put me on shaky ground.”
She tilts her head in confusion; the sunlight capturing her gorgeous blue-gray irises with the change.God, this girl is breathtaking.
“I wasn’t expecting to find new friends. For Layton and the guys to feel like an extension of my station back home.” Taking a shaky breath, I go all in. “And I wasn’t expecting you.”
If it’s possible, her luminous eyes shine even brighter. I have absolutely no idea what she’s thinking.
Lowering my voice, I lean in. Not so others won’t hear. But to convey my sincerity. “Quinn, can you ever forgive me?”
“I’ll think about it.” She winks, immediately lightening the mood. I’m so taken aback at her response, it’s hard to fully wrap my head around it. This girl is like no one I’ve ever known.
“Let me take you out. To make up for ruining your birthday.”
Quinn’s spine straightens, looking at me with such fierce determination it’s unsettling. “That’s not necessary. You didn’t ruin my birthday.” Crossing her arms over her chest, her tone is so powerful and self-assured, I barely notice her incredible tits swelling above the seam of her top.Okay, I’m not dead.“Yes. What you said upset me. But it was business. If I’m going to run a successful public relations and marketing firm, I better learn to handle dickheads who think they’re allowed to speak to me in a less than professional manner. It was an opportunity for growth. So, I thank you for that.”
My mouth drops open, completely enchanted by this take no prisoners siren. Leave it to her to put a positive spin on my neanderthal behavior. Quinn surprises me further by abruptly turning toward her car and walking away, leaving me utterly disappointed I won’t have the chance to grovel.
Because, suddenly, I’d give anything to do just that.
Chapter 16
Quinn
“Girl, I’ve been waiting for Friday all damn week,” Callie squeals as we walk arm and arm through the parking lot of the Diddled Fiddle.
“God, me too. I’m exhausted. I need a few hours of cocktails and laughs.” I’ve literally worn myself out going door to door asking for donations. I need to clear my head of all stress tonight.
“Well, first round is on me,” Callie declares as the hostess leads us to a booth with a great view of the bar and the dance floor. “Can we get two margaritas with salt?”
“Coming right up.”
“Okay, spill the tea, sister. Tell me what happened when Jason tried to apologize to you. I need all of the glorious details.”
I give my sweet friend a play-by-play, leaving out that I was tempted at one point to tell him I was partially to blame, given I was on him like a cat in heat to do that calendar. But the more I thought about it, I wasn’t letting any man speak to me that way.
I’d read a quote recently, and it stuck with me.Don’t settle for breadcrumbs when you deserve the whole bakery.I have no idea who said it, but they were absolutely right. I’ve always believed you teach people how they’re allowed to treat you. And if I want the fairy tale happily ever after, I’m not accepting any less.
“Hey, isn’t that your broody teenage dream?”
I follow Callie’s index finger to the bar. There sits Jason with an incredibly hot guy that could almost be his twin. Jason’s a little taller and leaner, but they’re both incredibly fit with dark inky hair and a thin layer of sexy scruff over their sharp jawline. They’re also both covered in ink. Lifting a menu, I start to fan myself. “Holy hell, Callie. The only thing hotter than Jason Bristow, is two of him.”
“Right?” She giggles. “I don’t recognize his doppelgänger. Think he’s visiting from out of town?”
Lifting my cocktail to my lips, I take a big sip. “Possibly. Gah, do you think he’s a firefighter too?”
Callie bites down on her lower lip. “If so, I might need a road trip to visit that mountain town they’re from.”
We continue to sip our drinks and watch them from a distance until we’re interrupted by Corbin and his friend.
“Hey, Callie. Quinn. This is my friend, Terrence.”
“Hey, Corbin. Nice to meet you, Terrence,” I add.
“We literally got here fifteen minutes ago, but my girlfriend called, and she has a flat tire. You want the chips and guac they just delivered? Otherwise, it’s going to go to waste.”
“Sure. You’re such a good egg, Corbin,” Callie says almost dreamily.
