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“I’m here for work.” I fight a smile.
“Quinn.” Laurie raises her eyebrow, eyeing me with suspicion. “You already found someone, haven’t you?”
God, she knows me too well.
“I’m not confirming anything.” I laugh.
“You know, this is exactly the kind of break you need. Seeing someone there will give you a fresh start.”
“Why does everyone keep giving me that advice?” I roll my eyes.
“Because it’s the obvious thing to do,” Laurie replies. “You need to start your new life. Post-divorce, new you.”
I shake my head.
The last thing I want is any sort of encouragement when I’m already having such a difficult time resisting Enzo.
“That’s easier said than done, you know?” My tone darkens as much as my mood.
A look of understanding crosses Laurie’s face, and she nods. “I’m not trying to pressure you or anything. But I mean, you are abroad, single for the first time in years, free to be whoever to want to be. No strings attached.”
“Thanks for the advice. I’ll consider it.” I roll my eyes, eliciting a chuckle out of her.
“Alright, alright. I’ll get off your case.”
We continue talking for a bit and then say our goodbyes. It feels good talking to Laurie—even though I don’t dare tell her about the kiss.
It hasn’t even been a full minute after I’ve hung up when the phone begins to ring again.
I pick up without looking at the screen, laughing. “What is it this time, Laurie?”
But the voice that answers does not belong to her.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
I freeze, “Liam?”
“Don’t even try to act innocent, Quinn.” He’s seething. “I saw the video.”
“It’s really inappropriate for you to call me like this,” I manage to reply, exhaling sharply.
“What did you expect me to do, then? When you’re out there letting other men touch you. I’m disgusted at you.”
For a moment, panic soars inside of me as I wonder if Liam somehow found out about the kiss. But there’s no way.
What was he referring to, then?
“Who the hell was that guy holding you? Just because I’ve allowed you to go on that trip doesn’t mean you can just disrespect me like that.”
“Oh.” He must have seen me with Enzo while I was livestreaming. “I thought I blocked you.”
“Very funny, Quinn.”
“It’s really none of your business whatever I’m getting up to. We’re divorced. I don’t owe you anything.”
“A stupid piece of paper isn’t going to stop me from claiming what is mine.” His tone takes on a threatening edge, and my chest tightens. “You aremine.I’ll teach you that lesson soon enough, if you’ve forgotten alre—”
I hang up before he has a chance to finish, breathing hard. My mind is panicking, coming up with all the worst-case scenarios.