“Uh…” he stutters before sighing. “My past is dark and complicated, Quinn, and I don’t want to scare you off.”
“I know a thing or two about dark and complicated,” I whisper, tears welling up in my eyes. “In fact, I might have you beat.”
“Now that, I doubt, but maybe you’d think about getting dinner with me and telling me about it?”
My heart skips a beat as butterflies race around in my belly. “Oh… I don’t…”
“Don’t give me an answer yet, okay? Just think about it and know that whatever is in your past, I can handle it.”
Dr. Jeffers’ comments from earlier pop into my mind and I suck in a breath. “I suppose I could think about it.”
It’s not a yes but it’s not a no either and it feels like a monumental first step for me.
Chapter Six
Quinn
My phone rings, rattling across the table top as I look over my binder for the children’s fundraiser and I scoop it up, smiling when Willa’s name flashes on the screen.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“Hey, boss lady. How are you feeling?”
I lean back in my chair and sigh. “Oh, you know, like I got hit by a truck.”
“Isn’t that joke getting old?” she asks, barely holding back her laughter and I shake my head.
“No, never.”
“We’ll have to agree to disagree.”
Laughing, I stand up and walk into the kitchen. “Oh, fine, ruin all my fun. So, what’s up?”
“I’m just wondering if I’m going to see you in the office on Monday?”
“Yeah,” I answer as I grab a bottle of water from the fridge. “I can’t afford to take anymore time off with the hospital fundraiser so close.”
“Did the doctor clear you?”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, I saw him this morning.”
“Good. Are you going to need a ride in the morning?”
Stopping in the middle of the kitchen, I breathe a curse and look toward the front door. “I totally forgot that I don’t have a car anymore.”
“So, is that a yes?”
“Um… I’m not sure yet. Let me think it over and get back to you.”
It took the insurance company five minutes to total my Maxima and because I’d been ordered to take it easy, it never even occurred to me that I would need to go buy a new car.
“Have you gotten a check for the car yet?”
I sink into the chair as I shake my head. “No, not yet. They said it’d take a week or two but I may just go buy something today. I don’t want to put you or Alice out.”
“I really don’t mind, Quinn.”
“No,” I mutter, my mind mulling over the options. “I might as well get it taken care of now. One less thing to worry about, you know?”
“Okay, well, let me know if you need any help.”
I agree and we discuss a few things to go over on Monday before saying good-bye. When I hang up the phone, I set it down on the table and sigh. Shit. I guess I need to go buy a car today but Alice took Brooklyn and currently, our only vehicle, to the park to play. My teeth sink into my lip as my gaze drops to my phone. Lucas told me to call him if I needed anything but I don’t want to bother him if he’s busy. Tapping my fingernails against the table, I debate with myself for a few seconds before scooping the phone up and sending him a text.
Me:
Hey, you busy right now?
As I wait for his reply, I take one last look over the binder and make a list of the most urgent things I need to take care of before packing everything up. Just as I’m stacking it in the middle of the table, my phone buzzes and I grab it.
Lucas:
Nope. You okay?
Instead of texting him, I dial his number and press the phone to my ear.
“Everything okay?” he answers on the second ring and I smile, my heart beating a little faster at just the sound of his voice.
“Yeah, everything’s good. I just need some assistance today if you’re free.”
“I’m always free for you.”
A giggle spills out of me as I shake my head. “I’m not buying your lines.”
“Are you sure?” The playful tone in his voice sends a blush creeping up my cheeks and I’m glad the house is empty so no one else can see how much he gets to me. Alice has been relentless since she came home on the Fourth and found us watching a movie together but I’ve been able to appease her without spilling too much information. That won’t last long though.
“Yes, I’m sure.”
He sighs. “Fine. What do you need help with?”
“Well, the insurance company totaled my car so I kind of need to go buy a new one and I was hoping you’d come with me.”
“Absolutely,” he answers without hesitation. “Give me ten minutes and I’ll come pick you up.”
Glancing at the clock, I nod. “Okay, I’ll be ready. And thank you, Lucas.”
“Happy to help, gorgeous.”
We say good-bye and as soon as I hang up, I rush up the stairs as quickly as my sore body will allow and riffle through my closet before choosing a short white lace dress and my cowboy boots. I change and go into the bathroom to touch up my makeup as my belly does a little flip.
Oh, hell.
What am I doing?
I haven’t agreed to his request for a date and even if I had, this is not one. He’s just taking me to buy a damn car. I quickly change into a pair of jean shorts, a tank top, and a pair of flip-flops before ducking back into the bathroom. My hand shakes as I hold the lip-gloss wand in front of my face and I close my eyes as I suck in a breath.
“Baby steps,” I whisper, reminding myself of my talk with Dr. Jeffers yesterday. Opening my eyes, I stare at my reflection in the mirror. My cheeks are pink and my eyes are alive in a way they haven’t been in a really long time. If I close my eyes again, I can still remember the vacant look I’ve seen staring back at me for the last two years and I’m trying so hard to not get my hopes up but maybe I’m finally moving forward. Maybe the worst is really behind me. My lips stretch into a smile and I drop my gaze from the mirror as I shake my head. Who would have thought that getting hit by a truck would be just what I needed?
The doorbell rings, pulling my gaze to my bedroom door. “Shit.”
I drop my lip-gloss into my purse and rush back downstairs before yanking the door open as I pant. Lucas’s eyebrows shoot up and I bend over and brace my hands on my knees.
“You all right?”
I nod, sucking in air. “Yeah. I was just upstairs when the doorbell rang and apparently, getting in a car accident really takes it out of you.”
“You sure we should be doing this today?” he asks as I straighten and I nod.
“Yeah. I saw the doctor this morning and he cleared me.”
He watches me skeptically so I plaster a smile on my face and hope I don’t look like a crazy person.
“If you’re sure…”
I nod. “I am.”
“Let’s go buy a car, then,” he answers with a smile as he holds his hand out to me. I hesitate for a second before grabbing it and letting him lace our fingers together. My heart races and I fight back a smile as we walk to his truck. It’s been so damn long since someone’s held my hand and maybe I’m not remembering things clearly but I swear, it never felt this good. There is something about Lucas that settles me and makes me feel safe - I first noticed it at the accident and at the time, I assumed it was the situation. Now, though, I know it’s just him. No one else could have kept me calm the way he did.