Page 63 of Quinlan

“Definitely not asking.” I splash some water over my eyes.

“Good. Since this isn’t a double date,” she reassures me. “Thing is, Alden starts his internship next Monday. And I’m pretty sure I landed the job at the law firm. We won’t be able to go out in a while.”

“That’s amazing.” I’m excited for her. So excited.

I remember what it was like for me. The day my business started taking off was the day I could help my family in a way that matters. No more forcing them to call the Crisis Hotline for help. I could afford doctors. Medication. Professionals to look after them.

Getting the job of your dreams while moving toward being financially independent is incredible.

“Thanks, I hope so.” She sucks in a long breath. “So. Please? I haven’t had a fun night out in forever. Join us. Please.”

“Hey,” a man says next to her ear in a playful voice. Has to be Alden. “Our dates don’t count?”

“They do, babe. You get what I mean. With friends.”

Exactly. Friends.

“This isn’t a double date.” It’s crucial that I remind her of this. That she passes along the message to…who? I already forgot his name.

“Not a double date.” I imagine Ray nodding. “Fun night out. You’ll be home early. Swear.”

If that’s the case…okay. Great, even. Excitement bubbles inside me. I haven’t gone out with friends on a fun night out in forever, either. Actually, never. There were too many things to worry over. Not nearly enough money to spend. Rex wouldn’t allow it.

Today is a new day.

“Cool. So, where are we going?”

Ray rattles the address of the place. Says they’ll meet me there at eight.

Then the line goes dead. I drop the phone on the sink and brush my teeth before hopping into the shower.

I have to. My stomach is sticky with sweat, and so are my breasts.

Just goes to show how wrong it is for me to date. My focus is elsewhere instead of on work, where it should be.

No more men for me in the near future.

None. At. All.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Quinlan

Rex:Everything okay?

Everything okay. Ha.

Two words are all I get from him after a full day of silence. He didn’t text me last night. Hasn’t called throughout the morning and the afternoon to apologize for his behavior.

Neither have I. Clearly.

“Everything okay” isn’t an apology. I’m not going to let this slide. The way he went apeshit at Maeve’s wasn’t acceptable. I won’t let him treat me like a child anymore. He can’t think he has the right to choose a man for me.

He said he wanted me to get married, then he yelled at Rome to leave me alone? No, he can forget about that.

Years ago, I would’ve accepted his behavior. This outburst. Would’ve rationalized it, labeled it as grief.

Over the last twenty-four hours, I’ve decided that this is it. He could be overprotective. He couldsuggestthat I don’t go outwith random guys I met on the street. That’s fine. Hell, that’s reasonable.

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