“Oh,” he said slowly. “I didn’t realize that you two—”
“It’s nothing,” I cut in, too quickly. “She’s just lonely. She’s my friend, and I wanted her to feel…not that way.”
My face heated at how unceremonious the explanation sounded, but it was the only one I could give without choking on the rest of it.
August blinked, and that look crossed his face. It was brief, but unmistakable. The pity and concern were as clear as if he’d written his thoughts in ink. He looked at me like he understood the truth I refused to acknowledge.
“Of course.” He nodded. “We wouldn’t miss it.”
Some of the tension eased from my spine, but barely. I didn’t know what dinner would look like, or how Quinn would feel when she walked into the middle of the Ramsey chaos…but I wanted her there.
As I said goodbye to my brother and walked out of the office building, I realized inviting Quinn hadn’t been about helping her feel less alone.
It was about helping me feel the same.
24
Quinn
AsIgotreadyin my room, I couldn’t shake the nerves. I was more nervous for one family dinner than I was in a courtroom, questioning a witness, in front of a full jury.
I didn’t even know why I was nervous. I’d eaten dinner with Raleigh and Warner before…but not the whole Ramsey clan. Graham had four brothers, but I’d only seen the oldest one in passing when he was picking up or dropping off his daughter.
I gritted my teeth. I shouldn’t be nervous. This was dinner, just eating food with other people.
Shifting on my feet, I glanced into the mirror at my outfit for what felt like the thousandth time. It was the third combination of clothes I’d put on, which wasn’t something I ever did. I didn’t care what I wore, but so much of my wardrobe was either for court—which was too formal for dinner—or comfortable workout clothes. It seemed I had very little things that were in between.
I scrutinized the dark jeans and hunter-green zip-up I’d picked out. My brother’s watch was around my wrist like always, and I’d put my hair half up, leaving some long tendrils falling down over my shoulders.
I sighed, checking the time. It would have to do.
For most of the day, I’d been cooped up in my room, saving my social battery for tonight. I’d actually slept some more after I’d gotten back to my room, still recovering from last night.
I blushed at the memory of what happened in Graham’s bedroom. It had taken a lot of self-control to keep myself from thinking about him—the way his lips had felt and how I’d freaking crawled into his lap.
I turned away from my reddening face in the mirror abruptly. I still hadn’t decided whether it was a good thing or a bad thing that I’d kissed him.
He was a good kisser.
Better than good, actually.
I pressed my thighs together, definitely not thinking about how he’d looked when he’d been over me, gazing down at me like I was the most stunning thing and—
I shook my head.
No, it was probably a really bad thing that I’d kissed him. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d kissed someone in that way. If ever.
A knock redirected my attention. I took a few steadying breaths as I crossed to the door and opened it. Graham’s baby blue eyes met mine. I blinked, eyelashes fluttering as I tried to decide whether I’d somehow summoned him with my thoughts.
He smiled, and my chest ached.
Damn, he was pretty. How had I never noticed how pleasant he was to look at?
Maybe I hadn’t wanted to acknowledge it.
His gaze roamed over me, assessing. At one time not so long ago, him looking at me like that had made my skin crawl. I hadn’t wanted him to see me with that stare that missed nothing. Now, my skin heated under his gaze.
“You’re gonna need a coat,” he said.
