Page 87 of Loving You

As soon as I turn around, I spot Marcus Pepperton walking up the driveway. His eyes are set on me.

I grab my rag from my back pocket and wipe my hands.

“Mr. Asher,” he says with a booming voice. “Good to see you.”

“It’s good to see you as well, Mr. Perpperton. You’re out and about early.”

I offer to shake his hand, but he looks at it and then shakes his head. “Maybe next time on that handshake.”

“Yeah, of course. What can I do for you?”

“I purchased a new car, and I need some work done on it. I was wondering if you could get me in next month. I’ll have it shipped and delivered as soon as you can get me in.”

I open my mouth to tell him yes, but Quinn has worked really hard to create a balanced schedule for me, and I don’t want to insult her by just agreeing.

“Let's go check my schedule. It’s been a busy year, but I think we can figure something out.”

“Oh, wow,” Marcus says. “This looks like a whole new place.”

“Yeah, Quinn has done a lot of work since she started. She’s been a godsend.”

I sit at the computer and pull up the scheduling program she showed me the other day, but it still looks foreign.

I’m about to tell him that I’ll have Quinn call, when she walks in with a couple of coffees and a pastry box from B’s.

“I went to grab us breakfast,” she says quickly but stops short when she sees Cherry’s father. I know she knows who he is. It’s pretty obvious.

“You must be Quinn,” he says and offers her his hand.

She sets the box and drinks down and shakes it. “I am.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you,” he says. He doesn’t say it in a bad way, but it’s clear he’s talked to his daughter about us.

“Oh.” She laughs nervously. “All good things, I hope?”

He hmmms.

“I wasn’t aware that Miles was dating anyone, but I’ll admit, once I heard the news, I did a little checking up and found your travel page. Some of your partnerships are with companies I prefer as well. It’s very impressive.”

“Oh, thank you.” Quinn beams. “It’s been quite the life.”

“And now your next adventure is to stay here in Lovers.”

Her smile doesn’t falter even one single bit as she turns to look at me.

“Yep.”

It’s brief, but I can see a spark in her eyes that says she isn’t enjoying this conversation right now, and to be frank, neither am I. It’s one thing for me to feel threatened by this man, but Quinn deserves a hell of a lot better than that.

I clear my throat. “We’re looking at availability for next month for a new project.”

“How big is it?” Quinn asks and waves her hands for me to get out of the chair.

“Big. The car currently doesn't run,” Marcus answers.

“I don’t think there is availability next month or in August, but September has room for one more.”

“I like to hear that business is good for you, Miles. I hope it stays that way. Go ahead and put me down, for now.”

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