Page 27 of Loving You

“Oh,” Quinn says softly. “I’m actually working in the office with Miles now.”

“You two are dating and working together?”

The question is clearly directed at Quinn. She nods.

Quickly, Cherry looks at me. “I just wanted to say hi since I hadn’t seen you yet this summer and I’m back. Not that it matters now, but yeah, hi.”

If there was a time to feel like a dick—well, a bigger dick—it’s now.

Cherry is kind, but she’s a little clueless when it comes to taking a hint.

“It’s good to see you,” I tell her, and her face lights up like a fucking Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. I cringe on the inside.

It’s a common remark to the average person, but Cherry is not average.

Quinn elbows me, so I clear my throat.

“We are heading to lunch. I’ll see you around.”

“You will?” Cherry lights up again, and Quinn practically jerks me forward.

“Bye!” Cherry says with a lot more enthusiasm than when she started our little conversation.

Quinn and I both wave.

“Looks like you have the jealous girlfriend thing down pretty good,” I say.

Quinn snorts. "Or maybe she thinks you’re into her because of your comments.”

“Oh, come on, those are nothing specific to one person. Everyone says them.”

“Not to people they are trying to avoid.Good to see you. Seeyou around.Those are trigger words for a girl in love with a man who doesn’t love her back.”

“She’s not in love with me,” I say as we turn onto Main Street.

“If she’s not, she’s damn near close. This might be harder than we thought.”

“Yeah, maybe we shouldn’t do this. It’s already complicated enough.”

I open the door to Hudson’s, and Quinn walks in. I’m right behind her, pointing over her shoulder to the bar. I’m a pretty routine guy, and sitting where I can see the doors is my go-to move. I like to be ready for anything.

It isn’t until I rest my hand on the back of her chair, leaning in to make a suggestion for lunch —solely for the purpose that we order, eat, and get back to work—that I see both of my brothers watching me. One two chairs down eating lunch himself and one behind the bar.

This might not have been the best choice for lunch today, but it's too late now.

“What?” I direct the question at Luca and Hudson. Quinn shifts from studying the menu to looking at my brothers, causing her body to brush against mine. From their view, I have no doubt that Quinn and I are looking pretty cozy on this lunch “date.”

“Hey, guys,” she says in a cheery tone. I’ll be completely honest. Before our little arrangement, I wanted to roll my eyes because she’s so damn happy all the time, but now I want to do it because, in just the past twenty-four hours, I’ve learned the voice she’s giving them isn’t her real one. It’s not fake per se, but it definitely screamsI need to be extra cheery because I may or may not be fake dating the guy next to me.

My fault completely.

Apparently, I’m a bit of a mess.

Of course, it would be Quinn Banks who brings this to my attention.

I wave with two fingers to my brothers, but that’s all they get in greeting since neither have yet to say a word.

Quinn nudges me with her elbow again, and I flinch.

---