Page 35 of Avoiding Temptation
“You’re scared.”
“More than you know.”
“I’ve been there, Quinn. I’ve been alone. I’ve been lost and not had a clue who I am. We’re more alike than you realise.”
“I don’t believe that for a second. You’re so sure of yourself. So confident in everything.”
“Now I am, but only because I’ve worked hard to be that way. Quinn, listen.” He reaches across the table and takes my hand in his. “Our pasts don’t define who we are. We do that. Only you have the power to determine your future. What doyouwant for your future?”
“To be free.” I slam my lips shut. Why is it that everything I’m trying to keep to myself just spews out of me when I’m with him?
“And how do you do that?”
“I don’t know,” I whisper honestly.
There isn’t much more conversation between us as the waitress brings over our burgers. We eat in silence. I mostly keep my eyes down, afraid of how much he can read in them.
“Can I take you home?”
“Uh…”
“I’ll just drop you off. I won’t even get out of the van. I just need to know you’re back safe.”
I nod. “Okay.”
He leads me back to where he’d parked, and I drop into his passenger seat.
“So what do you do exactly?”
“General builder. But I want more.”
“What’s more?”
“I’m not one hundred per cent. Quantity surveyor, maybe, but I’d need a degree most probably. I’m not sure if I’ve got that in me.”
“Don’t be so modest. Of course you can do it. You’re more than capable.”
“You’ve only been my teacher for a few weeks.”
“We can pick out the ones who are going to succeed the minute students walk through the door, Joe. You’ve got it.”
He beams at my praise, and my heart turns over. I think back to his question about the future, and I wonder seriously for the first time if there’s a space for him in it.
Joe stands by his words and doesn’t even switch the engine off, let alone get out of his van.
After thanking him, I jump out and grab my bags. His eyes follow me all the way to the front door of my building, and knowing he’s right there means I don’t even look over my shoulder before entering. I know I’m safe while he’s here.
I give him a quick wave before allowing the door to shut behind me.
The first thing I do when I get up to my flat is to go to the window. Just as I suspected, he’s still there. He’s too far away to be able to see him, but it’s long minutes before his van starts backing out of the space.
I turn my sofa into a bed and settle with a book when my phone rings. My first thought is that it’s Joe, but I soon realise that he doesn't have my number. There are only a couple of people who do, and right now I don't really want to hear from any of them.
Pulling it from my bag, I take a deep breath and look at the screen.Detective Barker.Fuck.
Part of me doesn't want to answer. That part would rather be blissfully unaware of what might be happening in my absence. But the part of me that’s desperate to move on has me swiping the screen and lifting the phone to my ear.
“Hello?” My voice sounds weak even to my own ears.
