“I can’t wait,” she whispered, pressing a hard kiss to my lips.“Gotta go.”
I watched her until she vanished around the corner.I don’t know why I had a funny feeling in my gut that something bad was gonna happen.But I brushed it off, figuring we’d talk and reconnect later tonight.
If only I’d listened to my initial instincts.
Chapter Nine
QUINN
I GATHERED UP MY NOTEBOOK,exhausted but buzzing from the amazing session.I’d learned more about getting patients to open up and using guided meditation techniques to ease them through the process.The research numbers were impressive, and Brian was really focused on retaining this extra program at New Beginnings.
Rolling my neck around to ease my sore muscles, I thought of a long, relaxing evening with James and grabbed my jacket.Maybe I’d get him to give me a massage.First food.Maybe sex, then food, then massage.At this point, I just needed to get myself home quick.
I popped my head into Brian’s office.He was always the last one to leave and the first one here in the morning.I admired his dedication and the way he stood side-by-side with his staff.“Night,” I called out.
“Quinn?Got a sec?”
I stood in the doorway.“Sure.What’s up?”
He rubbed his forehead.His ginger hair was all messy, and his face looked tired.“Any of the rest of the crew here?”
I shook my head.“No, I’m the last one.Did you need something?”
“I know you’ve been working nonstop, but I’ve got a new intake coming in.I could use a hand, and it would be great training.But if you’re tired or have schoolwork, I understand.”
I bit my lip.Damn.I was torn.I craved seeing James, and I had the paper to finish.Of course, the paper should only take an hour.“Do you know how long it will take?”
“About an hour, start to finish.I’ll order some food in.”He studied my expression for a moment, then waved his hand in the air.“No, forget it, Quinn.You’re pushing too much.Go home.Take a night off.”
I wanted this full-time job bad.If I demonstrated willingness to take on extra work and be a team player, I would have a step up on the competition.I took off my jacket and smiled.“I’m staying.I can work on my paper when I get home.It only needs editing.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
He smiled back at me, relieved.“Thanks, Quinn, I appreciate it.You like Chinese?”
“Sounds great.Let me just send out a quick text, and I’ll be ready.”
I grabbed my phone and walked into the hallway.I knew James wanted to spend some quality time, but I could still get home at a decent hour.I quickly texted him I needed to skip dinner, but to wait for me at home.I told him I’d be there by eight.
Praying he wouldn’t be too pissed, I slid my phone back into my pocket and headed inside.“He mad?”Brian asked.
I laughed.“Nope, he understands.”
“Good.”Brian grabbed a stack of forms.“Pull a chair up, and let’s start.”
We went over the intake forms, making some changes due to the new programs Brian wanted to implement, then met with the patient.His name was Sam, and he was in his sixties.Gray hair, rough beard, bloated cheeks, beer belly.He gave off the desperate, angry vibe I’d seen from long-term alcoholics who didn’t think they’d ever stop, but were tired of living in the gutter.I watched the way Brian dealt with Sam, balancing the fine line of support with tough love.We spent a long time with him, and I realized it was one of the best intakes I’d ever been involved in.Even in just that hour, I learned a lot.
When Sam was settled, we got back to his office, and the Chinese food was laid out in cartons.My stomach rumbled loudly.Brian laughed.“I know.As long as you don’t care, I say let’s ditch the plates and dig right in.”
I collapsed into the chair, grabbed a box of lo mein, and dug out a plastic fork from the paper bag.“Done.”He passed over a Diet Coke can, and we ate in happy silence, slurping noodles and savoring the salty spiciness of garlic sauce.
“You’re amazing with the patients,” I said in between bites.“It’s like you know what they need right at the perfect time.”
He took a sip of his soda.“Lots of practice.Studying.It doesn’t come overnight, but I have to tell you, Quinn, you have a knack.People respond to you.”
I shrugged.“I was always the one my friends came to,” I explained.“They’d tell me their secrets.I think they knew I could be trusted.”
