Page 17 of Tin

“What’s that?” I’m cringing. That part I don’t need to hide. That she’s expecting.

“A fun night out!” She claps her hands in excitement, probably hoping it will rub off on me if she exudes enough of it.

“You and C.J. planning a girls’ night or something?” Because I would possibly consider going to one of those. I could go for a round of C.J.’s stories right about now. They’d sure as hell be more entertaining than my own.

“Better! Nate’s friend Carson just broke up with his girlfriend and he’s dying to meet you.”

I almost choke on her choice of words. It’s all I can do not to make a snide comment about the way men tend to do that with me. “Why on earth would he want to meet me? What have you guys told him?”

She shrugs innocently. “Nothing, really. Same thing we tell everyone.”

“The missionary work thing?” I curl my lip in disgust. Not because I find missionary work so appalling. It’s more so that what I was actually doing could easily be considered the exact opposite.

“I think. I don’t know for sure. Nate talked to him, mostly. But that’s not what triggered his interest.” Her eyes light up as they attempt to burst out of their sockets. “He saw your picture. Nate was showing off pics from Sophie’s birthday party and you were in a lot of them. The second Carson saw you, he started asking questions. Nate thinks he really likes you.”

I roll my eyes into my skull. Maybe staying in bed wallowing would have been the better option after all. I could be sleeping right now. Then Kirsten would be talking to herself about this Carson person.

“Kirsten, he doesn’t even know me. He couldn’t possibly feel one way or another.”

But she’s not giving up. My sister is nothing if not determined. “So let him get to know you. Tomorrow night. He wants to take you to dinner at La Sirene. And trust me, you want to go have dinner at La Sirene. The food is amazing.”

“Do I have any hope at all of getting out of this?”

She shakes her head. “Nope.”

“Why is this so important to you, Kirsten?” Maybe if I understand, maybe if I get where she’s coming from, I’ll feel better about giving in.

“Because I want you to have the kind of life you were always supposed to have. The life you wanted before...before everything happened that took it away. And I know you don’t think you can have it again, but I’m going to prove you wrong. I’m good at this, Quinn. Look at me. I found a wonderful husband who loves me and treats me well. We have a perfect little girl, and our lives are complete. Let me find your happily ever after for you. Please.”

I take a deep breath in and exhale it loudly through my mouth. “Carson what?”

“Winn. Why?”

I hold up my phone. “Because I’m going to google his ass, that’s why. If I’m going to spend an evening with him, I at least want to know as much about him as he does about me.”

She grins. Because she won. “Fair enough. Alright. You go run and we’ll go shopping in the morning. We’ve got to find you something a little more feminine to wear for your first big date.”

“Yeah, okay, crazy lady.” I follow her to the door and shove it closed behind her, just to make sure she doesn’t change her mind and try to come back in. My eyes dart back for the clock. Finally. He’s home.

CHAPTER SEVEN

RIKER

I check the table one more time. Everything’s there, and if she shows up soon it’ll even still be hot. It’s not fancy, just takeout from Joe’s. But I was starving and figured I might as well get enough for two.

Now that I’m looking at the food sitting there, I’m rethinking the whole thing. Sharing a meal sort of implies a date. And a date would imply an interest in developing other aspects of our relationship. Which I don’t have.

On the other hand, it’s just fucking food and we’ve both been very clear about the fact that neither of us is looking for more.

So why am I overthinking this?

QUINN

The sun’s setting by the time I walk onto his deck with Harley in tow. It’s beautiful out, in spite of the unexpected chill in the air. It didn’t bother me on the run over here, but now that I’ve slowed down again it’s getting cold fast.

My heart sinks when I spot the note taped to his front door. I peel it from the wood only to find it marked with an arrow. No words. Just an arrow pointing straight up.

“What the...?” I take a step back and glance upward. There’s a rooftop deck three stories up that I never noticed before. Now that I have, I’m not any closer to reaching it. I’m tempted to shout his name, but it’s Riker. He wouldn’t leave me standing down here, with a note suggesting I go up with no way of getting there.

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