Page 58 of No Place Like Home

My belly dipped, and I blamed the grapes in my wine. I hoped to God I was allergic to them or something.

“I called. Texted. I even dropped by, and you chose to ignore me.”

I had to admit Quincy looked much better. His face looked fresh, not all mopey and shit. He had showered and cut his hair.

“I was busy,” I said as I raised my chin defiantly.

“Ah, lover’s quarrel,” Clark sighed dramatically.

I turned around and glared at him.

“Do you mind?”

“What do you think, Hardwell? Should I let her go?”

“I’m still here,” I spat angrily as Clark directed his question at Quincy, who had gone from smirking to full-on smiling.

I swear, his smile was disarming.

“To be honest, I’m a little scared of her. I mean, shedidkidnap my dog.”

“Why are you even entertaining this ridiculous claim?” I said to Clark as I tried to wiggle free.

Clark scoffed. “I don’t want to be known as the cop who didn’t help out Quincy Hardwell.”

“If you don’t let me go, you aren’t ever giving Cynthia grandbabies, and you’ll be known as the Carson who shot blanks.”

Clark looked at Quincy one more time. “You sure you don’t want me to bring her down to the station? I’m sure I have popcorn there somewhere.”

I rolled my eyes.

Whoever decided he was going to be chief was on crack. I was not above going to the city hall and filing an official complaint. The old chief shouldn’t have retired, and Dex shouldn’t have denied the position.

I would have called Cynthia to complain about him, but getting Cynthia meant everyone would know about Quincy.

I shook my head. Clark knowing was the same as announcing it on the kiosk’s bulletin board.

Fuck.

“Nah, it's cool. I got it from here.”

Quincy’s voice had me snapping out of it. I didn’twanthim to take it from here.

Clark let go of me, and suddenly, I needed to go to the station instead of staying here with Quincy.

“You know what, Clark? Let’s go to the station.”

I turned around, intending to get into Clark's car, but a hand at my arm stopped me and turned me around.

“Not so fast, mamas.”

Something shivered down my spine. Oh, shit. I hoped I was coming down with the flu or a cold, not because this dude touched me.

Quincy grinned upon seeing the terrified look on my face.

“You should go,” I said in a quivery voice.

“Come on, Jess. Talk to me.”

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