1
Quinn
“I’m addicted to your cakes.” Nova takes another giant bite of one of the mini cakes I made. She’s got three different flavors spread out in front of her. I want to kill her. I don’t understand how she can eat anything she wants and still be so freaking fit. Then again, she spends a lot of time in the gym. Unlike myself. I’m allergic to exercise. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.
Logan loves my cakes, so I went a little overboard. With them being mini size, making a few of each flavor wasn’t a big deal. I’ve been baking since I got done with work a few hours ago.
My husband gets back home tonight, and I’ve missed him like crazy. His job has been pulling him away from home more lately. I hate it. In our first six months of marriage, we never spent one night apart. Now, he’s been having these random overnight trips more frequently. I thought our days of having to sleep without each other were over when we got married.
My parents were so traditional growing up. Thankfully Logan popped the question pretty dang quickly and was in as much of a hurry as I was to get down the aisle. I was excited to start my new life with him, and things have been perfect up until now. I know he has to do this for work, but sometimes my mind wanders. This time he was gone for two days. He hadn’t even called to check in on me today, which is so unlike him. But I don’t want to make a big fuss, especially when I know his job means a lot to him.
I’d gone from working for my father’s dental practice to a bookkeeping job Logan had gotten me soon after we got married. I can do it from home. I don’t love the job, but anything beats working for my father. I actually enjoyed the job at first because it was really flexible. Now that Logan isn’t home as much, I don’t really need the flexibility. I have a ton of free time on my hands. I’m actually starting to feel a bit lonely locked up in this house.
“You’re going to take some home with you.” I grab a few containers to slip the cakes into.
“What about that spaghetti? Is there extra of that too?” Nova wiggles her eyebrows.
“How do you eat all these carbs and stay so thin?”
“I work out a lot?” She shrugs.
“Maybe I should work out with you.” I turn, trying to check out my own ass. I’ve always been on the curvy side. “Do you use the gym in the building?”
I think there’s one in the building if I recall correctly. I’ve never used it before. I met Nova when I moved in with Logan after we got married. He gave me free rein over decorating our place, which I happily took. I wanted to make our space a home for the two of us. It had been a bit cold before.
We’re supposed to move at some point into a house, but I don’t hate the penthouse. It’s nice to be in the city. More so with Logan working so much. It’s nice having so many options at your fingertips. Not that I go anywhere really, but it’s still nice to have the ability to.
I don’t think I’d enjoy being stuck in a house all alone. Especially if it was out somewhere more remote. Nova is my saving grace a lot of the time. She’s always down to hang out. She’s so different from the friends I had growing up. That’s a good thing.
“You don’t need to work out. Your man loves your body.”
“Maybe,” I mumble, putting the lids on the containers.
“Maybe? The hell? That man can’t keep his hands off you.” She rolls her eyes at me.
“How long does the honeymoon thing last?”
“Honeymoon thing?”
“You know. The time period after you get married and they can’t keep their hands off you?”
“Oh, the honeymoon phase. I don’t think you’re past that. Actually, I highly doubt it. I’ve seen how the two of you are together. Why? What’s going on?”
“I don’t know.” I lick my lips, reminding myself I can tell Nova anything. Even so, opening up isn’t something I’m good at. “Sometimes I sense he’s holding back. One second I think he’s about to pounce on me, and the next he’s out the door. I can’t explain it. Never mind.” I turn, going back over to the stove to grab the pasta and drain it.
I know I sound silly. Nova is right. Logan can’t keep his hands off me for the most part, but I swear there’s something between us lately. I can sense it. I just can’t put my finger on what it is.
“That man loves you. I promise you that.”
“You lived here when he was single, right?” I ask.
“Yeah. Why?”
“Did you see any of the girls he dated before me?” I glance over my shoulder to look at Nova. She’s staring right at me.
“You're the only girl I've ever seen him with.”
“Are you saying that to spare me?”
“No! I swear to you. I’ve never seen him with anyone before.” She pushes her chair back from the kitchen island and walks over to me. “Are you sure this doesn’t have something to do with you not getting pregnant yet?”
“I don’t know.” I turn off the sauce on the stove, then put the lid on it. Everything is ready. I’ll only have to heat the bread. Now I need my husband to get home. Seeing him and knowing he’s here always puts me at ease.
“The doctor said to give it time. Stop worrying.”
I let out a long breath. “You’re right. I think I spend too much time in my head.” I wrap my arms around Nova, hugging her close. “Let me show you some stuff I ordered.” I pull her out of the kitchen and into the master suite.
“Quinn!” Nova takes in the lingerie I have laid out on the bed.
“I really love the white, but I want to be sexy. Should I do the red?”
“Honestly, I think the white is just as, if not more, sexy than the red. It screams innocence. Play that up.” She’s trying to tease me.
“I think my innocence might be part of the problem.”
“What does that mean?”
My face starts to heat. “Nothing. White it is.” I grab the red lingerie off the bed and put it away in the closet. “You gotta go. Logan will be home soon, and I’m going to put this one on.” I pick up the white nightie. My phone dings, alerting me that I have a message.
I pull it out from my pocket to see a text from Logan. My heart sinks as I read it.
“Looks like I won’t be needing this one either.” I walk over and put the white nightie away as well. I hold back the tears that threaten to fall. “I think there’s going to be more than enough spaghetti for you. Stay, please.”
“Oh, Quinn.” She gives me another hug. This time I can’t help but burst into tears.
2
Logan
The last drop of blood washes out of my shirt with a few more dabs of cold water. My phone buzzes in my pocket. I don’t look at it. I already know what it is. Another contract. Then again, I suppose it could be the Brotherhood with their veiled threats. It doesn’t matter, I won’t be joining up. I’m independent and intend to stay that way.
Once I’m cleaned up, I check myself in the mirror and run a hand through my hair. Quinn deserves me at my best, not in a mess from whatever job I’ve just been on.