About Last Night (About Last Night #1)(71)

Your sister. “Someone special.”

He grinned. “She’d have to be, for you to quit work for her.” His smile waned. “I get it. I do. I wanted it too, the normal life.” The look on my face must’ve confirmed his suspicions, because he dug deeper. “You’re not gonna tell me who she is?”

I shook my head. “Not yet. It’s still fresh. It might turn out that she doesn’t want me in the long run. But I’m trying to be everything she deserves.”

Harry blinked at me. “Whoa. This is serious shit.”

I agreed, “It is. It’s scary as f*ck.” I added quietly, “She knows I’m an escort. She knows, and she’s still great about it. She doesn’t look at me like I’m dirty and disgusting. She’s never asked me to quit either. She gets it. She gets me.”

“Unbelievable,” Harry blew out. “Sounds like she’s an amazing woman.”

“She’s more than that.” I looked him in the eye. “She’s everything.”

“Don’t play yourself short, Quinn,” Harry uttered. “If this is what’s going to make you happy, then you deserve it just as much as she does. And I’ve got your back. Can’t wait to meet her, man.”

My stomach coiled violently.

Yes, you can, Harry. Trust me…you can.





Chapter ThirtyFour



Mia




I was officially freaked out.

One day. It had been one day since I found Addison crying. One day was all it took for her attitude to do a complete one-eighty. She was a different person.

I’d seen her around the office conversing happily with surprised employees, even going so far as to make lame jokes and listen to what they had to say. It seemed she found that woman inside of her, the woman she claimed was gone.

A smile spread across my lips as I watched her. She’d done it, and I was happy for her. I was only hoping the change was permanent.

When I left for the day, I passed her office and stopped. “Bye, Mrs. Dietrich.”

She lifted her pretty face from the computer screen and blew away stray pieces of her white blonde hair. “Mia, I was actually hoping to have a chat with you, if you have the time.”

I checked my watch then stepped inside. “Sure, my bus doesn’t get here for another half-hour.”

She stood. “I know my first impressions on you weren’t the best, and I’m sorry for that.” She looked down at the floor, mildly uncomfortable. “The last few years haven’t been kind to me, and although that’s not an excuse for my atrocious behavior, I’m making a fresh start. I’m hoping that we could do the same.”

My brows furrowed in confusion. “Make a fresh start?”

She nodded, holding out her hand, smiling. “Hello, Mia. My name is Addison. It’s nice to meet you.”

I didn’t hesitate in taking her hand. This could not be easy for her. I had no right to feel proud of her, yet I did. “Hello, Addison. Likewise.”

We dropped hands and she blew out a breath. “I’d like for everyone to start calling me by the first name. Mrs. Dietrich is long gone. We’re a team. We need to act like one.”

I smiled in response, walking back out of the room. Just as I left, I uttered. “It really is nice to meet you, Addison.”

I left work feeling the weight off my shoulders lighten. The sad part was I hadn’t even noticed the weight was there.




As soon as I got to my apartment building, I detoured, making my way to the apartment across from mine.

I knocked on the door and it swung open. Terry looked me up and down slowly. “Well, well, well. Look at what the cat dragged in.”

My nose bunched. “Hey!”

He grinned. “Sorry. I’ve always wanted to say that.” He turned on his heel. “Come in, my little dove.”

I looked around the apartment, taking my bag and leaving it by the kitchen counter. “Where’s Bill?”

His lips pursed adorably as he got a couple of glasses out of the cabinet. “Working.” He pouted. “He’ll be home soon though. Smoothie? Cocktail? Juice? What’s today’s poison?”

I sat on a stool and sighed, stretching my neck, trying to get the kinks out. “Juice, I think. Where have you been? Your apartment door has been closed for days. I’ve been so cold and alone without you,” I teased.

His eyes narrowed. “Uh-huh. Yeah. Is that why I happened to open my front door in time to see you walk down the hall, arm-in-arm with some sexy, tall glass of water this morning?” I held my tongue, but could feel my cheeks heat, and he laughed. “Yeah. Lonely, my ass.”

I bit my lip to hide my smile. “Well, I’ve missed you regardless.”

He stopped mid-step, holding a hand to his heart with a gooey expression on his face. “Oh, honey.” He came up behind me and wrapped his lean but muscular arms around me. “Out of all the people who have lived next door, I find you the least annoying.” He ended on a squeeze.

I choked out a laugh, patting his hand. “That was meant to be a compliment, right?”

He pulled away with wide eyes. “The biggest.” He moved to sit on the sofa and I followed him. He brought his glass to his lips, sipped, then asked, “So, you want to tell me why you’re still seeing the hooker? ‘Cause, sweetie, you’re gorgeous.” He mock-whispered, “You don’t need to pay for nookie.”