Page 15

Fifteen

Roman

I spent most of the morning in an upbeat, happy mood as I counted down the hours until Quinn would be off work and heading back to my apartment.

I knew that it was foolish to think that anything could—or would—happen between us, but I still couldn’t fight the grin that felt plastered to my face since I woke up.

Not having Rosie with us tonight would allow us the time to talk and not have to worry about what she might overhear.

By ten, Trevor came bouncing into the office, a smile bigger than mine spread across his cheeks. I pushed away from my desk and swiveled my chair to face him.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you this happy about it being Friday since you had tickets to take Elena to her first Yankees game.”

“Well, this is soooo much better than a Yankees game,” he said, sliding into the chair behind his desk.

I gasped and held a hand to my heart, pretending to be stunned by this information.

“ What could possibly be better than the Yankees?”

“Elena agreed that we can start trying to have a baby after Max’s wedding. She’s finally ready!”

“That’s awesome, man! Happy humping!”

His grin stretched across his face as our phones dinged at the same time with a text message alert. I had almost expected it to be from Max about lunch today since we both got messages, but mine was from Quinn.

My fingers rushed to open the message to read it.

Quinn: My mom wants to pick Rosie up from school today.

Me: That’s nice of her. I’m sure she’ll enjoy spending time with your mom.

Quinn: I’m worried someone will be watching them like last time.

Me: That’s always a possibility, but it would be with whoever picked her up.

Quinn: Should I pick her up instead?

Me: If it makes you feel better, I don’t see why not.

Me: Do you want me to meet you there?

Quinn: You don’t have to do that but thank you.

Me: I don’t mind.

Quinn: Hold on

I set my phone down and waited for her next message.

I lifted my head and found Trevor staring at his phone, a cheesy grin plastered to his face again. He looked up and saw me watching him with a brow raised.

“Elena is already thinking of baby names,” he answered as his fingers flew across his phone.

“And here you thought she wasn’t ready,” I laughed.

“Hey, what can I say? I’m not used to good things happening this easily.”

“I think you’ve more than paid your dues, my brother. Only the best things are heading your way from here on out.”

I knew how much he wanted to be a father and was glad that things looked like they were finally heading in that direction for him. Elena was young—ten years younger than him—and that had put them on different pages about starting a family for a few months now.

He smiled and let his shoulders relax.

“Thanks, man.”

I returned his smile and then picked up my phone to check the new message from Quinn.

Quinn: Mike is going with her to pick Rosie up, which works better since my boss just called another mandatory meeting.

Me: See, everything always works out. She’ll be more than safe with Mike and your mom there.

Quinn: Apparently Mike is also staying the night at my mom’s house. I think something has him worried.

Me: I don’t know any more than you do, but I imagine that the break-in last night has him on heightened alert like it does us.

Quinn: Yeah, I guess. I just feel like there’s more that he’s not telling me.

Me: I wouldn’t worry about it. Mike wouldn’t do anything to put you or Rosie in danger.

Quinn: True.

Me: Try not to obsess over it. The weekend will officially be here before you know it.

Quinn: I wanted to talk to you about that.

Me: The weekend?

Quinn: Yes. I don’t want you to feel like you have to babysit me tonight while Rosie is at my mom’s house. I can find something to do so I’m not in your hair.

Me: I don’t have plans, and you’re not in my hair.

Quinn: I don’t want to impose.

Me: Stop.

Quinn: .......

Me: Whatever you’re typing—just delete it.

Me: I need to get back to work but think about what you want for dinner, and I’ll pick up something on my way home.

Quinn: You’re so bossy.

Me: You like it.

Quinn: ......

Quinn: ......

Quinn: ......

I felt my insides flip as I waited for her to decide on whatever she was going to send. The dots would appear and then disappear for a few minutes before she finally pressed send.

Quinn: I’ll check in with you at 4:30. Have a good day.

Me: You too.

I slid my phone to the side and tried to force myself to focus on work and not the endless thoughts on what Quinn might have been saying before she chickened out.

Did she like that I was bossy? Was it off-putting to her?

At the end of the day, we would be having our first dinner together by ourselves, and that felt like it meant more than it should.