Page 13 of Whatever It Takes

“Then quit acting like a child.”

I shot off the couch and got right up in his grill. “I’m far from a child, Quinn. I’m just not stupid. Nothing good can come from me getting in a car with you.”

“Oh yeah. Why’s that?”

“Because,” I huffed. Just when I needed a great comeback my mind went blank. I couldn’t think of one thing to say. Not one. Even if I could come up with something, he wouldn’t listen anyway.

He sat there with a smirk, as if he could read my thoughts.

“Charlotte,” Erica said, cutting through the tension. “He drove over here to see you. He’s sober. It’s just a ride home.”

Quinn pulled on the back of his neck. “I just want to talk to you, Charlotte. That’s all. Please.”

Damn it.

His voice sounded determined, and I realized this was going to be harder than I thought. I was trying really hard to be strong because everything about him reminded me of the heartbreak I went through. But I knew if I sent him away, he would only be back. Saying no to him would be useless because when Quinn had his mind set on something, he never gave up.

I convinced myself that it would be better to get this conversation out of the way, so I could burn that bridge down between us once and for all. I didn’t want to leave it up to chance that I would ever cross it again.

Quinn’s eyes never strayed from mine as I said, “Fine. Let’s go.”

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