Nights like this he missed Barry. Although all these years later, he missed what they’d had more. Having someone to share everything with, who shared everything with him.
Would he ever have that again?
* * *
Quinn arrivedat the office the next morning. It was just before nine, the same time he always got to work on the days he came in after dropping the kids off at school. He was about to great Nat, but she had a look that stopped him in his tracks, and the words died in his throat.
“What’s going on?” he was finally able to ask.
She smirked and then shrugged. “What do you mean?” She raised her brow even as she tried to stop the smile that was trying to burst forth. “Do I look like something is going on?”
He sighed, already feeling a headache coming on before the day had even started. “Yes, actually. You do. So, spill it.”
“What time is it?” she asked.
Quinn looked at his watch. “I’m guessing you’re trying to prove a point, but I’ll go with it. It’s 8:50. Why?”
“Sharon didn’t make it past the interrogation with Mr. Cross. That alpha didn’t even let her in the house.”
Quinn nearly dropped his keys, and his free hand balled into a fist. “Are you freakin’ kidding me? That can’t be right. What was his reasoning this time?”
“She smelled like lavender and he’s allergic?” Nat’s shoulders bounced, and her face turned red, barely able to contain the laugh trying to break free.
It was absolutely ridiculous and sounded like a flimsy excuse, but he knew one thing. He needed to get this taken care of because this man was becoming the world’s biggest pain in his ass. He whirled around and headed back the way he came.
“Where are you going?” she called out as he made his way toward the front door.
“I’m going to give Mr. Cross a piece of my mind.” Quinn didn’t even turn around. “I’ll be back shortly.”
It wasn’t until he reached his car that he realized he wasn’t even sure of where Aiden lived. He snatched his phone from his pocket and pulled up his list of clients. He quickly punched in Aiden’s name, and it pulled up his address. He typed it into his GPS, and it directed him right to Aiden’s door.
When Quinn pulled up the driveway, he looked up at the large gambrel-style colonial home and the pristine landscaping that surrounded it. Although there was a mainline roof that went along the length of the house, three individual dormers with fancy, curved, double sloped roofs came out perpendicular to that on the second level and extended to the ground. It looked to have an airy feel with all the windows that would allow plenty of sun in. Between the first two facings was a covered porch that led to the front door, the roof of which was topped by a porch. It was obvious that Aiden was well off, but that was no reason to be an asshat. Still he had to admit the house was gorgeous.
Quinn got out of the car and slipped his phone and keys into his pocket, then went up to Aiden’s door, and knocked. The alpha answered in less than a minute.
“Oh, hey,” he said. “Areyouhere to do the job now?” His eyes lit up as he spoke.
Quinn’s brow furrowed, and he shook his head. “Actually, I’m here to ask you what the hell your problem is.”
Aiden stepped back and a look of disbelief registered on his face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He’d started shaking his head before he finished speaking.
“Cut the crap,” Quinn snapped. “My employees are amazing, and they offer only the best service. Yet you have been able to fly through how many in the course of two weeks…Two weeks, now going on three! There’s obviously something wrong with you, and I’m here to tell you that I’m not putting up with it anymore, and you’re not gonna get away with it.”
“Just come in the house, and we’ll talk.” Aiden stepped back and motioned for Quinn to enter. Quinn was hesitant, but he figured he could tell the man off inside or out. It didn’t make a difference to him at this point. He entered the house, but looked around with caution.
“I’m in, so what now?” he shot at the infuriating man.
Aiden closed the door behind them. “I mentioned that I only want the best, and I figure who better than the owner of the company. I’m looking for someone that will wow me in every aspect of the job. I believe that that would be you.”
Quinn shook his head. “Not this again. I’ve already explained that that is not how my company works,” Quinn argued. “I am far too busy working at the office to go out and clean houses. I leave that part to the professionals now.”
“So, you don’t think you can do it?” Aiden asked, angling back and leaning a shoulder against the wall.
Quinn heaved a sigh. “I know that I can clean. It was just me and Nat at the start, so that’s not the issue. It’s the time that I would have to devote to it. I have perfectly capable employees that are prepared to clean your home. You’re just not allowing it. All because you have this stupid idea that I would be better, but I’m telling you that any of my employees will do the exact same job as me.”
Aiden waved his hands. “I’m sure that they are perfectly capable, but I just won’t be satisfied with anyone else’s work. Tell you what, though. If you agree to take on my home, then I will pay for you to hire an office manager or personal assistant. Whatever you need.”
Wow, the man was persistent.
