“I don’t make jokes when it comes to money. Nor do I allow myself to miss opportunities because of personal bias. You might be a fool when it comes to Quinley, but you’ve proven yourself to be a good businessman. I may not be interested once I hear the details, but if I’m not, I know people who might be.”
“What’s the catch?” Elias watched as the man’s gaze shifted to the left. Elias followed Lachlan’s gaze and found Quinley nervously eyeing them both, looking pale beneath her sun hat.
“You either be the man she deserves—or you get out of her way and let her find the one who is.”
ChapterTwenty-Six
Quinley fled the birthday party the instant she saw Rhys and Elias in conversation and knew the topic was obviously her.
She couldn’t stay after that. Couldn’t watch the two menlookat her like that. Not when she felt too much for one, yet it was the other whose heart she’d stomped on who made no excuses about still caring for her. She saw the irony. Felt the hand of divine punishment.
She didn’t believe in her heart of hearts that Rhys was wholly in love with her, either. They’d been compatible, shared chemistry, the things that couples do. But that deep, unfailing, breathless love? Rhys had admitted he’d had doubts and that confirmation lessened her guilt to the nth degree. She’d been acceptable wife material to him, pretty arm candy who held her own interests and didn’t interfere in his life too much. And he would easily find that type of woman again if that was what he really wanted.
She’d walked to the party since it was only about six or eight blocks from her home. It was her first outing without security, but with her sunglasses on and her face hidden by a hat to combat the sun’s rays, she braved the risk of being so public just so she could breathe in the salt air and get a much-needed dopamine hit.
She might admit to peeking out her front door to make sure the coast was clear before leaving, but that was common sense. The anxiety created by the crowds and guards and media had left a lasting impression, but she was determined she wouldn’t give into the fear and hide a moment longer.
Now she regretted not driving, though, because it meant walking back and even though no one paid her any attention as small groups strolled by her to the beach loaded down with chairs and other necessities, or drove past, she felt exposed and on edge.
What had Elias and Rhys said to one another? What had they said about her? Did she even want to know?
By the end of her walk, she was practically running, stomping her way down the street, head bowed as she tried and failed to come to terms with all the changes in her life.
“You shouldn’t be walking by yourself. Not yet.”
She lifted her head and found Ana sitting on the porch outside her house. “You shouldn’t have left the party.”
“You did,” Ana countered in a knowing tone. “What happened?”
“I…had to leave. How did you get here so fast?”
“Cole dropped me off on his way back to the rental building. Your disappearance made the perfect excuse for me to leave as well.”
Quinley let herself into the house, and Ana followed, shutting them inside the sunlit island home. “This place is so beautiful. You’re lucky you snagged it.”
“I know. I’m sure Dawson had a lot of interest in it. I can’t thank you enough for what you did, getting the furniture from my mom and moving me in. You made it a home.”
“And you’ve thanked me profusely that day and practically every day since.”
Ana’s phone dinged, and she pulled it from the pocket of her skirt, frowning down at the face as she read the message.
Quinley walked to the fridge and pulled out the pitcher of lemonade she’d made that morning, a drink that had become a staple in her life. She refused to think of all the pitchers she and Elias had shared at the cabin. Or admit maybe it was her way of holding onto that time?
She grabbed two glasses and poured as she waited for Ana to finish responding. “I hope that’s not about me leaving the party.”
She’d tried to be discreet when she’d left, but if Ana noticed, maybe the others had too?
“No, not exactly. Hang on,” Ana said, thumbs flying as she texted. “Okay, done. And it looks like we’re getting a girls’ night.”
Quinley stared at Ana, but dread filled her at the statement. “What do you mean?”
“There’s a continuation of Mia’s birthday party at a piano bar downtown. Shut up, we’re doing it. It’ll be fun.”
“I’m not sure I’m up for it.”
“You are. You’ve been cooped up here ever since you returned from the cabin.”
“I went to a charity dinner just a few days ago.”
