Quinn slid into the far side of the booth. She didn’t miss the momentary expression of displeasure that swept across Rory’s face when she didn’t choose to sit closer.
“Well, what was so important we needed to do this in person?” Quinn asked. She was pretty sure that her frustration was evident in her tone. She had to give it to Rory, the woman made no indication that she could pick up on Quinn’s discomfort.
“I wanted to see you,” Rory admitted with a smile.
“Here I am,” Quinn said a bit more flippantly than she’d intended.
There was a momentary flash of displeasure that swept across Rory’s face.
“Do you really not want to see me?” Rory asked.
“Why would I want to see you? It’s been months. You cheated on me before our wedding and moved into my dream home with someone else.”
Rory had the good sense to look sheepish.
“You’re right. Everything I did was selfish.”
It was certainly more of an admission of guilt than Quinn had ever gotten before.
“Why are you here Rory?” Quinn asked.
“You moved on before we even broke up. So why are you here? Months later. Now that I’ve bought a bar and met someone new. Why now?” Quinn tried again.
Rory studied her for a lingering moment.
“I missed you. I saw you on Instagram and you’re opening this bar and looking really good. It made me want to reach out. It made me miss you.”
Quinn rested her face in the palm of her hand.
“I don’t think you miss me. I think you miss the novelty. The idea of you and me and a life together. Because you had me. And once things got to be serious you started to get bored. So, you found someone new. Now, you’ve been with her for some months. You’ve been living together, and the sparkle has worn off. Then, you look online and you see that I’ve moved on. I’m starting a new business. A beachside bar. And you think to yourself, ‘That looks like fun,’ and reach out. Not because you miss me. But because I’m on a fun new adventure.”
Rory looked as if she’d been struck. Even during their breakup when Quinn had been at her angriest, she’d neverspoken to Rory in this way. But since dating Autumn, Quinn had become much more secure in taking up the space around her.
“I didn’t realize that you felt that way.” Rory’s words were quiet. Quinn had clearly struck a nerve.
“Does she even know that you’re here?” Quinn asked.
“Who?”
“Your new partner,” Quinn grumbled.
Rory’s cheeks reddened, a clear sign she was embarrassed.
“No,” she finally admitted.
“Give me my necklace and go back home.”
“Quinn,” Rory began but stopped before she could finish her sentence.
“As much as I’d love to stick it to the person you cheated with. That’s not who I am. So, figure out what you want. If it isn’t the person you’re with, then break up with her like an adult.”
When Rory nodded Quinn knew her words had landed.
“We had some fun times, didn’t we?” Rory asked.
“We did,” Quinn admitted.
“I’m sorry for everything I put you through.”
