Page 24 of Just One Moment

Ispin around at the unexpected voice and discoverJohannaperched on a chair, legs crossed at the ankles, looking like some evil villain with the way the corner of her mouth is quirked up.I’dalmost forgotten we had company and nowI’mremindedthatQuinnasked if she could speak toJoabout my fake dating proposal.Fromthe curious look aimed in my direction, they’ve talked.

“Mehelping someone out?I’mnot that much of a dick, amI?”Iask, attempting to divert the conversation.

Hershoulders slump and she cocks her head. “You’refar from that,Gray.It’sgood thatQuinnhas another friend to watch her back and you seem comfortable around her.”

Itry not to cringe at the nickname everyone uses for me, but most of all,Idon’t wantQuinnto start using it.

“I’malso far from being friends with her,”Imurmur, scratching the back of my neck and eyes darting to the back of the kitchen, hopingQuinnmakes an appearance soon. “Don’tyou have a restaurant to run?”

“Patrickleft to open up,I’llhead over soon.Dexwill be over shortly to fix the door.”Shestands and walks over to me, a small smile on her lips. “Giveyourself more credit.Shetalks very highly of you, but be warned, she’s told me her plans to get you to eat something sugary.Fromexperience, she’s a really great person to have on your team.”Sherushes her next words out when we hear noise from the back. “Thatgirl is as stubborn as a mule, so don’t let her turn down your help.Ithink this arrangement is going to be good for you both.”

Ipause. “Shehasn’t agreed to it yet.”

“Shewas never going to say no.”Shethrows me a wink. “Anyway, customers to serve.Catchyou later.TellQuinnIsaid bye.”

Thesounds of footfalls come from behind me the momentJodisappears through the door.Quinnis now in dark green overalls, an orange-and-white stripedT-shirt, and a worn pair ofChucks.Herhair is tied back into two small buns at the back of her head.Shebeams up at me, because even afterIdamaged her front door and caused her to hurt herself, she still finds me worthy of that mesmerizing smile.

Shepulls out a bottle of water and orange juice from the fridge, and like a lost little puppy,Ifollow her to the table in the middle of the room.Thisis the third time we’ve found ourselves at this table together.

“Thisis kinda like our table, isn’t it?” she asks, as if she can read my mind.

It’sinsane how muchIlove the idea of this beingourtable.Anotherreason why asking her to be my fake girlfriend is the worst idea in the fucking world.

“Iguess it is.”Presentingthe reportIput together over the weekend from my satchel,Iplace it on the table between us and slide it toward her. “So, um, thanks for sending over all those documents.Therewere a few things missing, but we can work on that.Fornow,Iwas able to draft a financial performance report for the bakery.Itcould do with some work, but that’s whyI’mhere—to help.I’vemade some initial suggestions; adjusting some price points on goods you sell, how you can better calculate inventory turnaround, and even some advice if you ever,Idon’t know, wanted to wholesale your goods or services…”

Ilet my words hang between us.Notwanting to push her but letting her know the option to work with the restaurant is still open.I’mcandid, professional, and know whatI’mtalking about.IfIwere to be brutally honest, her books are a mess.

It’swhyIhave a job.

“Yousaid a lot of words and they went”—she slashes her hand over the top of her head and whistles—“right over my head.Thisis great, you clearly know your stuff.Ireally appreciate you putting in all this effort.Thething is…”

Sheflicks through the pages of the report, eyes downcast soIcan’t see her expression, but her voice has lost that bubbly ring to it.Shesounds tired and defeated, like something’s crushed her spirit.AndIdo not like this one bit.

She’shad one hell of a night.Withmost people,I’dkeep myopinions to myself, not wanting to stick my nose in their business, butIhave this urge to do the complete opposite with her.Tofind out what’s wrong, eradicate anyone or anything that upsets her, and protect her from the world.

That’swhyIdon’t hold back now. “Hey, what’s up?Youdisappeared on me there.”

Asmall sniffle breaks the silence, and when her eyes meet mine, they’re filled with tears.I’venever been a violent man, but suddenly the idea of rampaging through the streets ofSuttonBayinQuinn’shonor sounds very appealing.

“Ican’t accept your help.It’sjust not going to work out.Idon’t even know whyI’mcrying, this is so stupid.”Hervoice wavers and she swipes at her eyes, before trying to hide her sadness behind a watery smile.

Iscoot my chair closer and rest my hand on top of hers, dipping my head to meet her sad gaze.

“Nothingabout your feelings is stupid.If…if you want the name of one of my colleagues,Ican give you their number.Iunderstand if it’s weird working with me now.”

“No, it’s not you.Iwant to work with you.It’sjustIcan’t afford it—”Hervoice breaks, and before her head collapses into her hands,I’mtugging her into me and muffling her gut-wrenching sobs with my chest.

“Wedon’t need to talk about money now.Iwant to help,Quinn…as a friend.”Itest the word and it doesn’t sound so bad.Beingher friend is probably the mostI’llever get, soIbetter start accepting it.

“Ican’t let you do that,” she whines into my cardigan.

Itake hold of her shoulders, putting some space between us. “Whynot?”

“BecauseIneed another favor instead.Afavor for a favor.”Shelooks guilty at that confession, chewing on her lip, andIdesperately want to pull it free from her teeth before she draws blood.

“Ihate asking this, andI’vetried to come up with so many other solutions.I’mnot agreeing to this simply becauseIneed your help, becauseIwas always going to say yes…you know, being your faux lover.”

Myheart stops andItry to swallow the large lump in my throat.Holyshit, she’s going to do it.

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