My mind kept replaying the moment Quinn and I had on the porch, the way she had gotten so close… Before we’d been so abruptly interrupted, I’d thought that she might’ve kissed me.
I could’ve been imagining it. Perhaps it was simply the intensity of the moment. She had told me about her brother and was in a vulnerable state. That’s all it probably was.
I should have been glad we didn’t kiss.
My hands tightened around my book, bending the flexible cover. I didn’t like the way Preston had looked at her, though.
I sighed, shaking my head after reading the same sentence six times. I still didn’t know what it said.
Preston was her boss, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off with him. I hadn’t even gotten the chance to check up on her before I’d left. She hadn’t come down for dinner like I was hoping.
Which was another thing that concerned me. I had almost gone up to check on her, but we’d had a long day, and I didn’t want to disturb her if she was resting. She deserved rest.
I thoroughly regretted that decision, unable to stop the thoughts of her from consuming me.
I needed to know she was all right.
Giving up on my book, I set it down on the small table beside me when my phone rang.
My heart lurched. I had texted Quinn hours ago to check in—hopefully she was getting back to me.
I frowned when Roman’s name flashed on my screen.
“Hey,” I answered, wondering why the hell he was calling me so late.
“Graham,” my brother said in his deep, raspy voice. “Where are you?”
My stomach dropped at the almost imperceptible alarm in his tone. “I’m at home. What’s wrong?”
There was a pause. The sound of music and muffled voices lingered in the background.
“I’m at Callie’s getting a drink with some of the guys after our shift,” he began.
My brows pinched. Callie’s Tavern was the most popular bar in town.
“I wanted you to know,” he continued, “Quinn is here.”
I sat up straighter. “What?”
“Yeah, she seems to be here alone. I’ve been keeping an eye on her, but I don’t know how long she’s been here.”
I was standing without even thinking about it. “Is she okay?”
“I think so, but she’s been drinking and…I’m not sure she should be by herself. The bar is packed tonight.”
Of course she shouldn’t be alone.
A flurry of thoughts whirled through my mind like an upturned snow globe. Why the hell would she be at the bar? Quinn was smart. She knew this wouldn’t be a good idea. It wasn’t safe for her.
“I’m on my way.”
IwalkedintoCallie’sTavern.The place was as rambunctious as could be expected for a Saturday night. The college kids were out in full force after the local football game, and the rest seemed to be OCU fans celebrating the rivalry win. I barely gave the crowd a second thought. I was focused on one thing—Quinn.
I shuffled through the crowd. The bar was anchored in the center of the establishment, shaped in a large U. The outsidewalls were lined with booths that were all full. On the back wall, a local band was performing on the rickety stage.
The bar was swarmed. People were dancing and talking, stuffing themselves into every square inch of space. I felt like I was wading through a literal sea, desperately scanning faces for one particular set of pale-blue eyes.
Someone grabbed my shoulder, and I froze.
