Page 68 of Quinlan

“I’m sorry for being late.” I pat her back, looking at the other two men in the booth. At their polite smiles.

This is safe, being around them. These friendly, kind people.

Unlike my stalkers.

“Nonsense. You shouldn’t have been running on these heels for us.” Oh, no. She’s probably referring to my racing heart. She mistakes my body’s reaction to the predators around me for something else. Something innocuous. “Let me introduce you to everyone.”

I force a smile on my face, apologizing again to the other men in our booth. They act like it’s no big thing, then Ray moves to stand next to one of the men.

“This is Alden, my boyfriend.”

“Hey.” The dark-haired, bulky man wraps his arm around her middle. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too.”

“This is Hugh.” She gestures to the man sitting across from Alden. A blond, lanky man.

“Nice to meet you, Quinlan,” he says over the music, scooting over for me to slide in next to him.

“Same here.” I put a hand over my chest, massaging it. Calming my racing heart. Doesn’t work. It can’t work when my stalkers are right there, behind me. When a sick part of me wants them. “Would you excuse me for a second?”

I’m already two steps toward the bathroom. I need to splash water on my face, calm the fuck down.

“Can I get you anything?” Hugh hands me over the menu.

“Thanks, I have it.” I wave it off, backing away from the group. “I’ll be a second. Sorry.”

“You have nothing to apologize for,” Alden reassures me.

Ray adds, “Are you okay? Do you need me there?”

They’re all so nice. So welcoming. Their kindness almost makes me feel like myself again. A few drops of water will do the rest of the job.

“I’m fine. Thank you.”

“Okay.” Her dark brown eyes are piercing. Searching for what’s wrong. She’ll make a great lawyer one day. “We’ll be here.”

“Thanks. Sorry.” I scurry into the bathroom, managing to stay on my heels without stumbling.

Two women walk out, and I slip past them inside, closing the bathroom door behind me. I lean on the sink, the ceramic cold beneath my fingers.

I bow my head down. Inhale. Exhale.

I’m safe. Nothing’s going to happen tonight.

Rex won’t come here after my threat.

The three men out there can’t be stalking me. I was sure of it for a minute there.

But—no, it can’t be. Being stalked and hunted down doesn’t happen to ordinary people. I’m as ordinary as they come. I have my own small business. My small family. I run four times a week, take the same route every single time.

If I do hang out somewhere, it’s at Maeve’s.

My gray eyes look back at me from the mirror. Ordinary. That’s what I am.

Stalking only happens in the movies.

My life isn’t a movie. I’m not some kind of a celebrity or someone worth stalking.

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