Page 29 of Sins or Secrets
“It’s okay. I didn’t meet here to talk about me.It’s good to catch up and you always have some juicy gossip.”
I grin at the comment. I think it’s more the case that there’s always some drama happening in my life.Growing up it was all the stuff that used to happen in my house.Like how we both saw my mother screwing around with the pool boy or the gardener or anybody she could get her hands on.Then there was Mom’s friends.
Bree and I were never bored.
“I guess I do and I should tell you that I would be very stupid to turn down the offer.I know you would have seen a lot when I last lived here but it was so much worse.I didn’t live the charmed life everyone thinks I did, and a million dollars isn’t pocket change to me.There’s stuff that was left out of the media that’s affecting me now.”
“Like what?” She searches my eyes.“I promise I won’t say anything.You have my word, Quinn.”
“Thanks. It’s great to be able to talk to someone who isn’t interested in making money on a story from me.”
“Well, my lips are sealed. My ears to God.” She brings her hand to her heart in a fashion akin to her.It’s little things like that that remind me of how much I missed her.
“I’m flat broke. The government seizedall my father’s assets and finances.Everything. And because I signed a prenup, I don’t get squat when my divorce is finalized.Just my freedom.”
“Oh my God. You don’t get anything at all?” True to her word, she keeps her voice down.
“Not a damn thing. It was one of those situations where my freedom was enough for me.”
“In the stories, it didn’t seem like Riley wanted to let you go.”
“He didn’t.” The rest of that story is sealed away in my mind.
Bree is a very intuitive person.She’ll know my short answer means I can’t say much more.Whether it’s because it’s hard for me to talk about or because I can’t.She’ll know I just can’t say much more than I have.
“I just didn’t think he would be so mean.”
“There’s a lot people don’t know.” Like how Riley was just as guilty as Dad.“I’m just happy to be out of there.”
“Well, this is all the more reason to think about staying.Woman, you’d definitely be crazy to turn down a million dollars.”
“I know that’s why I canceled my flight.” As I canceled that flight, there was little point in questioning what I’d be doing next with regard to the offer.Aunt Lilly was handing me a rope, and I'd be a fool not to catch it.“I was just thinking about New York because I was really looking forward to starting over.”
“But in six months you can and you’ll be rich.”
I smile the first real smile of the day and nod.“Yeah. It looks that way. It also looks like I might need some help getting Lilly’s school off the ground.Would you be interested in an additional job?”
She sucks in a sharp breath. “Oh my God, yes, I absolutely would be interested.You want me to work with you?”
I nod. “Yes. I think it would be fun.Besides, out of me and you, only one of us knows how to run a business, and play the piano.”
Bree is an amazing pianist. Sometimes Lilly would get her to play for us while we practiced.She'd be a great addition to what I have in mind for the school.
“Thank you so much. This is so exciting.” Gratitude twinkles in her eyes.
“It is and thank you for accepting.”
Now that I have my first member of staff, I need to find a place to stay.I can’t live in that motel for six months.
“As if I’d turn you down. This will be perfect for me.”
“I’m glad it will help. If I can do anything else, let me know.”
“Oh Quinn, thank you. It really means a lot.”
“I think you might be the one person who keeps me sane and possibly a buffer between me and Logan.” My shoulders slump.
“Oh honey, try not to worry about him.Just focus. Chances are you could even arrange things so you don’t see him all that much either.”
