Page 60 of Temptation

“I wanted to spend time with you before I left tomorrow, remember?” He looked hurt that she had forgotten, and she felt a slight twinge of guilt, before she pushed it down and buried it.

“Right.” Quinn opened a drawer and grabbed a deck of cards. She sat at the island and began to deal out the hands for Gin. “Let's play a game.” Joel smiled and nodded eagerly, sitting down and facing her. “Did Viki make it to work?”

“No.” Joel frowned as he took his cards and began arranging them in his hand. “She also didn't bring her car in to get it cleaned, so unless she took it somewhere else, she’s gonna have a huge problem.”

Quinn nodded and then decided to push and see if he would give her answers or deflect. “Since when is Rhyme loaning cars to employees? Tenn says she didn't buy it, and she says it was a loaner.”

“He normally doesn't, but she was driving a rusted Honda Civic, and he didn't want it in the parking lot; he gave her the Boxster because it was pre-owned and that horrible pink colour only women who think they're cute want.” She noticed he kept his gaze determinedly on his cards and smirked, deciding to push things a little more, highlighting Viki’s behaviour the previous night.

“Tenn asked me to apologize to you for her behaviour last night. He felt bad that you got thrown up on, and he wouldn't let me pay for her drinks either. Said she was taking advantage of my generosity and being a bitch about it.”

“He doesn't have to apologize for her; it wasn’t his fault. She should apologize to both of us, but good on him for making sure you didn't pay for her drinks because he was right; she was taking advantage and being a bitch.” He took the card off the deck and discarded one; Quinn grabbed that card and discarded hers, watching him from under her lashes. His face was flushed, and his mouth was in a hard line. Clearly he was not impressed at all with Viki’s behaviour last night.

“What happened that made you think she developed a crush?”

“She follows me around the dealership and constantly texts me about stupid shit. She took an almost instant dislike to you, and you've been nothing but nice and tried to include her. Like I told you, she's childish and jealous.” Joel shook his head, looking irritated with the whole situation. “Atlanta should be a blast. What's your plan for the weekend?”

“Mario Kart Tournament on Friday, Saturday Tenn and I are working on stuff for the party and lecture series, and Sunday I'm hoping to spend relaxing and catching up on some shows.” He nodded, and they were quiet, concentrating on the game until Quinn won and began collecting the cards. She briefly considered starting another game because, for the moment, she had been enjoying his company. Gin Rummy was one of the few things they both enjoyed, and they had spent quite a few nights playing for hours. But then he opened his mouth again, and she was immediately annoyed.

“There's no chance we can start doing Sunday dinners again next week, is there?” His phone chimed, and he pulled it out, read the text, and sent one back before looking at her pleadingly.

“Why? You've complained about them for as long as we've done them. It sucks that I put so much work and effort into something just to get told how much you don't want to do it and how stupid and ridiculous it is.” It was true; he complained constantly that she wanted him home on Sunday for supper, comparing it to her treating him like a child. She put the cards back in the box and stood up to put them away. Joel watched her, looking disappointed that she was ending the evening so quickly.

“Because now that we aren't doing them, I've realized how much we actually talked and how close we were because of them, and I miss them and you.”

“I'll think about it.” She stood up. “I'm exhausted. I'm going to head to bed.”

“Oh, okay.” Joel nodded, looking very disappointed. “I should head up, too; I have an early morning.”

Chapter Thirty: Motivations Become Clear

In her room, Quinn opened her laptop and pulled up Joel's iCloud. She hesitated momentarily, debating even looking at the texts. It was all starting to get boring for her. She was just done and wanted to serve the divorce papers so she could begin the process of separating from Joel and moving on with Tenn.

Joel had burnt every bridge possible in the marriage, and the fact that he wasn’t aware of just how badly he had fucked up was really starting to bug her. She wanted him to realize he was screwed now. With a sigh, she remembered she had to keep collecting evidence and scrolled up to the previous day before bowling.

It would be best if you stayed home tonight.

No, I was invited, and I'm going. Tenn said he was going for six; when will you get there?

Around seven.

Her friends will be there, and so will your husband. If you’re gonna insist on coming, you have to act naturally.

I have to be Quinn's husband tonight. If you couldn't handle a picture, how are you supposed to handle it in person?

Quinn rolled her eyes. “Have to be Quinn’s husband…” Such bullshit, he hadn’t been her husband for at least four months.

I'll be fine and on my best behaviour.

If you fuck up my life Viki, I won't stop until I've destroyed you.

I love you too.

Quinn had to stop reading for a minute. Was there something wrong with this woman? Was she so blinded by love for Joel that the fact he was threatening to destroy her wasn’t met with some semblance of self-preservation? What was his hold on her? He wasn’t that great in bed or that great of a partner.

You're a liar.

Anorexic? Really?

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