About Last Night (About Last Night #1)(37)

Addison hissed, “Part owner.”

“…and by not letting him in, I could have left myself open to cursory action on his part. As a new employee of this business, I had only followed orders given to me by my superior. Surely I can’t be punished for following the orders given to me by my boss.” She didn’t respond. A short burst of courage passed through me, surprising even myself, so I added for good measure, “If you attempt to punish me, I’ll take this matter to my lawyer.”

I wasn’t sure it was possible, but her eyes flashed and her expression turned even colder. Through gritted teeth, she muttered, “That will be all, Mia.”

Before she could change her mind, I walked back to my desk, hoping the flicker of respect I had seen in her eyes was not indeed a figment of my imagination.





Chapter Nineteen



Quinn



“What’s up with you?” Harry panted as we ran side-by-side. “Why are you so quiet? You’re freaking me out, man. Say something.”

I looked over at him as sweat dripped down his red face. I didn’t believe him when he said he was out of shape, but from the look of him at this very moment, he was right. He didn’t look unfit. I think that was where people got it wrong.

A larger person can be fit, and a slim person can most definitely be unfit. Harry was definitely the latter. People think being thin automatically puts you in better health. It’s all a misconception, really, and a sad one at that.

I puffed out a laugh. “You need a break, bro? You’re turning a shade of red I don’t think I’ve ever seen before.”

He scowled, swinging his fist clumsily at me. I dodged it with a hearty laugh and he muttered, “Yeah, yeah. Tease me if it makes you feel better.” Wiping sweat from his forehead, we ran on as he gestured to his entire body. “You’re just jealous you don’t have all of this.” He grinned then. “Jealousy is a fickle emotion, Quinn.”

My feet slowed, and as my quick stride turned to a walk, I felt the burn in my legs. Sometimes it’s harder to stop than to keep going. Huffing and puffing, I placed my hands on my hips and walked on the spot, trying to ease the stinging through my legs. I chanced a look at Harry, who had doubled over, hands to his knees, looking about ready to pass out. He looked up at me. “How far was that?”

I fiddled around with my fancy wristwatch fitness do-dad. “Two miles.”

His eyes held a look of disbelief. “That’s it? Two freaking miles? I feel like I’m dying, for Christ’s sake!” He groaned. “Pathetic. Completely pathetic.”

I straightened then slapped his back. “A few more weeks of this and you’ll see; it’ll get easier.” He gave me a look and I pinned him with my stare. “What’s wrong with you? This shit used to come easy. You worked out more than I did!”

Harry’s face lost all expression, so when he muttered, “I hate my job,” I was definitely surprised.

“What?” I asked in disbelief.

He walked along the footpath and stated once more, “I hate my job.”

Immediately, I thought of his sudden need to get back into shape. “Wait. Are you telling me you’re thinking of getting back in the game?”

He shrugged lightly, but avoided my scrutinizing gaze. “Maybe. So what?”

“So what?” I gaped. “So what?” I stood on the spot, shaking my head in incredulity. “What brought on this sudden change?”

I sat on the closest bench. Harry followed suit. “I’m done with bartending. Hell, I f*ck all these women, night after night. It doesn’t mean a damn thing. I make them come every damn time. I use my old tricks, every single one.” He looked into my eyes meaningfully. “I work them like an escort, Quinn.”

“But what you told me…about that woman…” Harry trained his eyes on his feet, his jaw ticking. I uttered a hushed, “You said you loved her, bro.”

He barked out a harsh, uncharacteristic laugh. “Yeah, well, loneliness can do that to a person.” He looked out into the distance, all but scowling at a happy couple walking hand-in-hand. “Forget everything I said about love. I don’t even know what love is.” A poker face took over and he smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “May as well get paid to do something I love.”

“Meaningless f*cking is something you love?” I asked slowly, skeptically.

“Sure,” he replied without meaning, then added on a whisper, “Why not?”




It was close to midnight when I picked up my phone and dialed the number.

She answered a soft “Hey, you,” and I knew I hadn’t woken her. I was glad that the previous night’s adventure hadn’t embarrassed her, but something was off.

“Hey, yourself, Wonder Woman.” I paused, adding a mildly concerned, “I didn’t expect you to be up. What’s wrong? You sound sad.”

Her voice shook in amusement. “Why would you call if you thought I wouldn’t answer?”

I walked into my room and out onto the open patio overlooking the ocean. “I laugh in the face of conventionality.” She chuckled and it soothed my need to offer her some form of comfort. “What’s wrong, Maya?”

She sighed. “I had a run-in with my boss.”