Page 31 of Frequency of Attraction

“Sure.”

He waited for Tate to join him and they made their way out to the tract of dust near the edge of the property that would hold the hotel for their guests. The hotel Rosie had designed.

“Rosie coming?”

Tate sighed. “I hope so and I hope not. I really fucked that up. I don’t know how to fix us. I’m told that I shouldn’t try, which might actually be what fixes us.” He did not look convinced. Vadim didn’t blame him. That logic sounded wonky as hell.

Quinn was already on the construction site, of course. She had three photographers and a videographer with her. At no point during the groundbreaking ceremony was she alone so he could thank her.

Rosie did show up, and Vadim saw her speak with Tate briefly. Otherwise, she came and left pretty quickly. Tate looked no less confused as she drove away. Another reminder for Vadim why he’d never bother with a relationship. No upsides.

He checked his watch for the seven hundredth time that day. Only an hour to go before the FAA showed up for the hours-long exam. He was making his way back across the parking lot when Quinn caught up with him. He pretended that a spot of warmth didn’t bloom when the little blonde appeared at his side. He shoved his hands in his pockets and didn’t slow. She had to work to keep up with him in those wedge heels.

“Two things,” she said, all business, as she quick-stepped beside him. “First, the checkride.Bonne chance. You’re going to do great.”

A smile flitted across his lips.

“Second.” She dropped her voice. “I’m out of commission for the next four days.”

Vadim stopped. “Why?”

She wrinkled her nose. “Can’t you guess?”

“Fuck. Really?”

Disappointment flooded his system. Real disappointment.

She nodded, looking grateful that she didn’t have to jog to keep up anymore, or say out loud that she was menstruating.

“I’d planned on thanking you later.”

“What for?”

“You know what for,” he replied.

Her face crinkled into a frown. “You saw the article.”

“And the ad. Thank you.”

She sighed. “You were bound to find out today anyway because I’m about to send a company-wide email telling people not to talk to Jerry or anyone else from that piece of trash paper.”

Vadim appreciated the loyalty, though he knew her wrath wasn’t solely because his name had been involved. They’d shit on OrbitAll when they’d shit on him.

“But you’re welcome. How are you feeling about the checkride?”

He shrugged.

“The article? Dare I ask?”

“All true.”

“A twisted and narrow view of the truth, if so,” she huffed. “You are more than parties, tattoos, or the people you’re related to, Vadim.”

“You sure about that?” Quinn didn’t know him that well. She never stayed long enough for pillow talk. Sure, they chatted about work and he encouraged her to vent about her day each time they were together, but the depths of his soul had been intentionally closed to her—and nearly everyone else. Everyone but Dasha and Chen.

“Oui. You’re not all hard. You’re soft, too. People are not one-dimensional.”

“Not a single part of me is soft.”

---