“I thought you were coming later with Autumn and Jordan?”
“I am. But I wanted to swing by a bit early because I knew you’d be freaking out.”
“You’re certainly not wrong about that. But I am feeling a little better since you got here.”
“That’s what friends are for. You’re probably just mostly feeling the anticipation.”
Quinn sighed deeply, she felt something settle in her chest.
“I think you’re right. More than anything I just want to get this over with so that I can move on. Cut the cord with Rory so that Autumn and I can focus on being together.”
“I think that’s the right attitude to have.”
Madison checked the time on her phone and offered Quinn a small smile.
“I’ve got to go get ready. I’ll be back in a little bit with Jordan and Autumn.”
“I can’t believe you decided to make a whole night out of my most awkward moment.”
“Oh please. I’ve known you for years. This is not your most awkward moment,” Madison teased.
“Maybe. But it definitely ranks up there.”
“I can give you that much for sure. Rory always was a strange bird,” Madison conceded.
Madison had never liked Rory. Though she’d never said those words exactly until they had broken up. Still, there had been plenty of signs along the way. It had been in the expression on Madison’s face when she looked at Rory. The subtle way her friend had asked her if she was “sure” about Rory. Since the breakup they had bonded over the way Madison had truly felt about Rory.
“You knew there was something going on with Rory before I ever did,” Quinn admitted.
“I knew I didn’t like her for you. I knew something was off about the way she interacted with you. But you were so happy, and I couldn’t bring that to you based on nothing but a vibe I was getting.”
“I think from now on if you get a vibe, I wouldn’t mind you telling me.”
Madison offered her a smile and patted her shoulder.
“Well, the vibe, as it were, feels good with Autumn. You should keep that one around for a while.”
“You think so?”
“Don’t you?”
“Oh, yeah. I mean I don’t think I could get rid of Autumn if I wanted to. She already owns my heart,” Quinn admitted.
She didn’t mean to imply any sense of romance. Her words were merely a statement of fact. Autumn had stolen her heart a long time ago. Now that she had the opportunity to date Autumn, she was determined to be the best girlfriend she could be.
Madison offered a wave as she left, promising that she’d see Quinn in a few hours. Quinn busied herself behind the bar, pouring drinks and talking to customers.
“You look right at home.”
Quinn turned towards the familiar voice. Rory’s voice. She smiled at Quinn as their eyes met. Quinn studied her for a long moment, trying to decide on the right words to say.
“That’s because this is home,” Quinn answered with a smile.
Rory simply smiled and inclined her head to the side, an invitation to meet Quinn at one of the booths.
“Let me finish up here and I’ll be right over,” Quinn offered a tight smile. Rory nodded, but her face was unreadable.
Quinn took her time, making a show of how busy she was. Although it wasn’t much of a show. In truth, she was busy. Running a newly opened bar meant that there was always atiny fire to put out. She glanced to the booth where Rory sat unbothered as always. Quinn sighed, and she felt the breath all the way inside of her bones. There was no point in delaying the inevitable any longer. She would hear whatever Rory had to say, get her necklace back, then send Rory on her way.
