Page 35 of Just My Ex

“Quinn, please.”

Marley’s in the lobby, and she squeals when she sees me. Standing from a lush, leather sofa, she teeters over to me in her signature black heels.

She rushes me in a heavily perfumed hug. “I’ve been so worried about you! You didn’t answer my calls.”

“So you came here? I mean …” I reach in for another hug. “I’m excited to see you, just surprised.” Seeing her face, the one I grew up with, that I’ve known since birth—when she was two—washes me with calm. And affection. That she would come all this way to check on me?

She runs a hand through her highlighted hair. “I tried calling your mom and she wouldn’t answer, either. I was sick with worry. Why did you up and quit without warning?”

I shrug. “I wanted to continue working remotely, but that wasn’t something they were willing to do.”

Her gaze searches me, and her mouth turns down in a frown. She steps back and takes in Henry before extending her hand.

“Henry. Nice to see you again.” She nods and smiles, looking back and forth between us.

She’s probably thinking we’re getting back together now.

He shakes her hand but doesn’t smile. “I hear you’re working for the university, too?”

“I am. Still stuck in my college era, right? I’ll probably never grow out of it.”

“Did Aubrey tell you where I was?” I ask. I was asked to leave a forwarding address, but it was supposed to be confidential and only used in emergencies.

“Yeah.” Marley addresses Henry. “Aubrey’s the office manager in our building.” She turns back to me. “Apparently, she wasn’t supposed to give it out, but she knows we’re cousins, so she finally relented.”

“I’m sorry you missed work to come out here. I should have just called you back.”

“It was fun to drop everything and come. This place is gorgeous. Where’s Navie?”

Henry cuts in. “She’s upstairs with my aunt. Navie’s not feeling well.”

I glance at him before nodding. “And tomorrow, she and I are flying to Memphis to help my friend, so—” I swallow hard. I hate lying, especially to Marley.

“Well, we should hang out tonight, then. The front desk guy said I’m lucky to get a room. There was a last-minute cancellation.” She gathers her purse and another shoulder bag nearer to her. “Let’s have dinner. Is the food here any good?” Then her lashes fly high. “I mean. I know this is your family’s resort, Henry. I’m sure the food is excellent.”

“It is,” I assure her. “That would be great. Should we meet at the Summit restaurant on the top floor at six?”

“Yeah. I’ll go to my room and get some work done until then. And walk on this lovely beach. Oh, Henry, you should come to dinner, and Navie, too. It can be a whole family thing.”

“I’d better take care of Navie while you two eat,” Henry says. “But thanks for the offer.”

She takes a gulp of air. “Wait. You’re here.” She points to me and then to Henry. “And you’re here. At the same time. Like star-crossed—” she interrupts herself, waving her hands and shaking her head. “Just, yeah. We’ll have a quick dinner so you two can get back to bonding.” She grins from ear to ear.

We weren’t bonding. He’s just being my bodyguard.

As if Henry can read my mind, he blurts out, “We’re not bonding!” His face has gone the barest shade of pink. “Coincidence. That’s how we both ended up here on the same day.”

“Yeah, I thought it would be nice for Navie to see her extended family, so we’re doing sort of an extended layover before we fly to Memphis.”

Oh, how easy it has suddenly become to lie.

“Okay.” From the tone of voice and her cloying smile, it’s clear Marley isn’t buying that.

Chapter 13

Henry

Thanks to Quinn’s cousin showing up, I have more time to spend with Navie.

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