Page 56 of Just a Distraction

“What’s going on is Sebastian’s started asking questions. He looks at the security videos sometimes. You know this, don’t you?”

“Did I do something wrong?”

He sighs. “Clandestine hugs? Long conversations with her and her kid in the lobby? Helping the housekeeping staff with thecleaning? Or I should say one member of the housekeeping staff in particular . . .”

“Don’t you have better things to do than analyze those security recordings, Henry?”

“It’s part of my job. I have other people for that, but occasionally I glance at them.” His voice is low and deliberate. “Been getting quite the eyeful.”

“Why didn’t you say anything sooner? And Sebastian’s seen it, too?” I should have known. I’ve always lived under a microscope with so many older brothers. It’s this microscope that has me always pushing myself to succeed. To fall in line.

“I figured it was none of my business.”

“That’s right.”

“But when Sebastian noticed and asked me about it, I thought I’d give you a heads-up.”

I just sigh. When I don’t say anything, he continues, with delight in his voice. “Are you with her right now?”

“No.” I might sound defensive, though, and I realize that, so I amend my statement. “I was, but I’m on my way back to the resort.”

“So, uh. Can I ask about what happened with Gloria?”

I chuckle, but don’t respond.

“Does Gloria know about this new one?” Henry asks. “Or what’s the status with that?”

“Henry,” I mutter.

“Hey, just wondering. You do you. I don’t care. But I never thought I’d see the day when any other woman could compete with Gloria.”

“You all know nothing, okay? Absolutely nothing.” I ease the car onto the road that will eventually turn into Lakeside Road. “You’ve made up this big story and named it Gloria. You. Know. Nothing.”

“Well, if you care to enlighten us, we wouldn’t have to make up stories.”

“I’d rather not,” I say past the lump in my throat. In the past, my dating life was under a microscope, and the family felt like they had to give me their two cents. I don’t want that right now.

“Alright, alright.” Henry’s voice is soft. “Just be careful.”

“I don’t even want to know what you mean about that.”

“I just mean that there were a couple of girls before I met Quinn who weren’t interested inme, they were interested in Dad’s money. That’s all I’m saying.”

“Seriously? You think because she works in housekeeping, she could only be interested in my money?” The truth is, that thought did occur to me. For about five seconds until I started to get to know her. That’s when I realized she’s not. If anything, my money is scaring her away because she thinks that means we’re too different to be together. That I could never be content with her.

She’s just plain wrong.

“Well, she might not understand that you personally don’t have much right now,” Henry says. “But she might be thinking you’ll have a lot of money eventually.

He’s right, I don’t have a lot right now. But there are trust funds in place and I have plenty for my needs. Our parents don’t give handouts—there are requirements in place to ensure we’re not getting something for nothing.

“That’s enough. I’m not going to even dignify that with a response.”

“It has to be said one time.” Henry’s voice is urgent. “I’m not making assumptions. I don’t know her at all. I’m sure she’s a great person. But if it was never said to you and then you got hurt anyway—”

“She’s not like that. Besides, things are casual between us.”

At Henry’s scoff, I continue. “They are. She’s moving to North Carolina. You can check with HR because they have it all set up to have her transfer to the Chapel Hill location in September.”

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