Page 49 of The Two Last Moments

“My mistake.” He holds up his hands, backing away.

Quinn is smirking like she didn’t miss a single word of that.

I chat with her and Cliff. She’s a junior prosecutor with the West Oaks District Attorney’s Office. “So far, I only get to try misdemeanor cases. I’m hoping they’ll move me up to felonies soon.” She crosses her fingers.

“So most everyone around here is in law enforcement or a firefighter?” I ask. “Should I be intimidated?”

“Hardly,” Quinn says. “Around here, somebody’s bound to end up making a fool of themselves by the end of the night. Some are more likely suspects than others.” She points a thumb at Cliff, who is oblivious.

“What about Danny?” I ask.

Quinn laughs. “He likes to have fun too. But he’s slightly more sensible about it.”

Cliff sips his longneck. “Sure, if you mean hooking up with anything that moves.”

She sends a glare his way. “Tact, much?”

“Am I wrong? You used to hook up with him too.”

“Oh, good Lord.” Quinn grabs my elbow and pulls me toward the house. “I’m sorry about that. Cliff is a sweetheart and my best friend. But he can be a clueless idiot sometimes.” She chews her lip. “Danny and I did hook up a few times, but it wasn’t a thing. I promise.”

“It’s fine.” I’m trying not to choke on my tongue. “Danny and I are just friends. He’s been wonderful, helping me get through all this. But it’s nothing more than that.” Even if my stomach is roiling at the thought of this woman in Danny’s arms.

I really need to get over him.

She studies me a moment. “Come on. I could use a margarita, and I’ve got a secret stash of good tequila inside.”

We head into the kitchen, and Quinn goes straight for the freezer. There’s already a guy in here chopping chicken into cubes. He’s got messy brown hair and several days’ worth of shadow on his chin.

“This is Aiden Shelborne,” Quinn says. “Another one of our roommates. Aiden, this is a friend of Danny’s. She’s staying with him at his grandmother’s house.”

He gives me an up-nod, barely glancing at me before returning to his cutting board.

Did I mention he’s shirtless?

Aiden’s got a huge tattoo spilling over his shoulder and down one arm. It looks like an ocean wave. He’s a gorgeous man. It’s a fact. My interest is purely scientific, but it’s still true. If the goal is getting over Danny…it’s good to have options.

Quinn pulls a bottle of tequila from the freezer, then grabs two glasses from a cabinet. “Aiden is one of the few non-government employees here. He’s our resident antisocial loner and n’er-do-well.”

Aiden runs his knife through another chicken breast. “Nicest thing you’ve ever said to me, Quinn.”

I sit on a stool, resting my elbows on the counter. “So you’re not an ex-military guy with a hero complex?”

“Ex-military, yes. I served, took my discharge, got the hell out. I don’t like taking orders. Hero complex? Fuck no. I mind my own business.” He turns around to wash his hands in the sink.

“Aiden’s a chef. That’s why we let him hang around.” Quinn leans over and whispers, “Plus the eye candy.”

“I heard that,” Aiden says, his back still facing us.

Quinn smiles. “His little sister Madison is a cop and a close friend of Cliff’s. Madison used to hang out with us. Then she went and got married and became a stepmom. She and her husband are both West Oaks PD, and it’sso cute.”

Aiden casts a bemused glance at us over his tattooed shoulder.

Quinn pours us each a shot of tequila, then adds some margarita mix and ice. “Tell us what’s been going on with you.” She hands me my drink, and I take a fortifying gulp.

And then I start talking.

I tell Quinn and Aiden everything, right from the beginning. Waking up in the hospital. Remembering only the last two moments from before I blacked out—the headlights and Danny’s face.

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