Page 92 of Turning Up the Heat

“Thanks,” he grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest. “How’d you find me?”

“Ryder. I called you first—a few times—but it went straight to voicemail. Your brother told me you’d be here.” I swallowed hard over the lump in my throat, nerves zinging through me.

Quinn didn’t sit down, so I forged ahead with the speech I’d rehearsed in the van. “We need to talk. I’m sorry about the fight last night, but you have to believe me—nothing happened with Holden.”

I locked eyes with him, but his were stony, flat and unreadable. Clearing my throat, I continued. “I’m not intentionally keeping secrets. I wanted to talk the New York thing out with you, but I needed some time to think it over. Then Holden showed up and ruined everything. I had no idea he was coming, by the way. Apparently, hecanbe persistent when he wants to be. Who knew?”

The corner of Quinn’s mouth twitched up at that comment.

After a long, quiet minute, he said, “I feel like you don’t trust me, Delaney. We said no secrets.”

My heart sunk at his words. “I do trust you, Quinn.” I stepped closer to him and now we were face to face. “I needed a little time to figure things out is all. But I wasn’t going to make a huge life decision without discussing it with you first.”

“Well? Are you leaving?” he asked, his voice low.

I swallowed hard as his serious eyes met mine.This was so hard.

“Honestly, Quinn, I don’t know.”

“Well, I appreciate your honesty,” he said, shoving a hand in his pocket.

“If you would have asked me two months ago, yes, absolutely, I would go. I always planned on moving back to New York. But now...” I met his gaze, biting down on my lip. “I’m torn. Would it be amazing to franchise my bakery? I’d be lying if I said no. It’s a killer opportunity for me. But do I want to move back to New York now? No, I don’t. My heart is here, in Peachtree Grove. With you.”

“I don’t want to stop you from going after your dreams, Delaney.” His voice was quiet and sincere. “If it’s New York, I understand.”

A wave of sadness washed over me.Quinn was technically saying all the right things, so why was I upset?None of this made any sense.

“So that’s it? You’d just let me walk away and we’d be over?”

“What do you want me to say, Lanie?” His eyebrows crushed together in frustration as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“I don’t know. Lots of things. Stay. Don’t go. I’ll go with you...” I dangled that last one out, my voice lilting up in hope.

“I can’t win with you. I’m telling you to do what you want. Isn’t that enough?” He threw his arms up, scowling and shaking his head.

I stood there in stunned silence for a minute, my arms crossed over my chest, processing what he’d said.

Finally, I took a deep breath and answered. “No. You know what? It’s not enough, Quinn. You’re giving up on me—on us. You’re not even taking the shot.” Hot tears pricked in my eyes and I willed myself not to cry.

“Sorry. I warned you I’m not good at relationships.”

“Well, you weren’t lying,” I said, anger creeping into my voice.

We stared at each other for a full awkward minute, neither of us knowing what to say. I finally broke the silence.

“Oh-kay. I guess I’ll go and leave you to it.”

“Fine.” Quinn leaned back against the couch, his arms folded over his broad chest.

“Talk to you later,” I said, grabbing the keys to my van. I huffed over to the door and let myself out as hot tears spilled down my cheeks.

I had no idea what to do about New York, but after that conversation, I figured I’d definitely be doing it solo.

26

Quinn

That did not go well. Even I understood that.

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