Page 9

Nine

Quinn

“L et’s go!” I yelled over my shoulder. It was hump day, and there was nothing that I wanted more than to be humped. Okay—maybe that was a bit dramatic, but I imagined it would put me in a better mood than I had been in.

Yesterday had gone by like any other day after we left Roman’s house in the morning—aside from him going with us to drop Rosie off at school and then insisting that he escort me to work.

We checked in with each other a few times throughout the day, but there was nothing to report because everything felt back to normal again.

This morning I woke up with a borderline migraine, likely caused by the lack of sleep that I had gotten last night.

I hated that the only good sleep I had recently was when I slept in Roman’s bed and pretended that it was his body that I was cuddled against instead of the pillow that smelled like his body wash.

Not that I had lathered myself up with it in the shower the morning I got ready there.

When there was nothing to report after Rosie got home from school and no vans were seen hiding in the shadows, I told myself that everything was fine and there wasn’t a reason for us to stay with Roman again.

Sure I had felt safer being there with him, but that didn’t mean I needed to inconvenience him more than I already had.

“I can’t find my shoe,” Rosie called from her bedroom.

“Can you just put on another pair?” I yelled back, feeling bad for losing my patience. I didn’t feel like fighting with her this morning, especially over a pair of shoes.

“These are the only ones that don’t make my feet look weird in these pants,” she whined, coming into my bedroom holding one shoe in her hand.

“Fine,” I sighed, getting up from the bed and smoothing down my skirt. I glanced in the mirror to make sure that I had managed to put on matching heels before I followed her into her room to look for the lost shoe.

We got to school thirty minutes late, and this time, the front office wasn’t as friendly and welcoming as it had been on Monday.

“I’m so sorry—it won’t keep happening. I promise.”

The older woman with a pencil sticking out of her bun gave me the stink eye before writing on a piece of paper and sliding it to the side.

“Tardiness has never been a problem for Rosie before,” she said with way too much judgment in her voice. “If this continues—”

“It won’t,” I interrupted, holding my hands up.

I didn’t bother sticking around to exchange pleasantries with any of the other office staff, given they all seemed just as grumpy and in need of a mid-week hump day.

By the time I got to work, my boss had given me the same disapproving look before I slipped past his office and hid in mine.

I hadn’t had time to eat and didn’t bother to grab anything on the way since I was already late.

It felt like life was more stressful this week, and I hated the feeling of things being out of control.

I grabbed my blue light glasses from my drawer and slipped them on, ready to start the day.

Just then, my phone vibrated with a text message. I let out a heavy sigh as if this was the break I needed from a long, stressful day that hadn’t started yet.

Roman: How are things this morning?

Me: Fine. Chaotic. The usual?

I found myself chewing the inside of my lip, unsure of what to say. The last thing I needed was for Roman to worry that I wasn’t okay. But was I really okay?

Roman: Do you need anything?

Me: That’s a loaded question.

Roman: Anything that your brother wouldn’t kill me over?

I brought my fingers to my lips and tried to hide my laugh. Was he flirting with me? Deep down, I really hoped that he was.

Me: I wouldn’t worry about Mike. He’s just always angry because he should be hooking up with his partner instead of constantly fighting with her.

Roman: Anastasia?

Me: I think so?

Roman: The woman from the party that left with the creep from the bathroom?

I frowned and tried to think of who he was talking about.

Me: Creep from the bathroom?

Roman: Uncle Saul.

Me: Oh, that guy.

God, I hated that guy. I had never felt comfortable around him from the moment I met him. Justin didn’t care for him much either, but they worked together, and right before Justin died, they had been assigned to each other as partners.

Me: She left with him?

Roman: Said she had a date. Mike seemed pretty pissed about it.

Me: Because he secretly wants to bang her.

Roman: I don’t think I want to hear about your brother banging anyone.

Me: Yeah, I don’t think I want to talk about it either.

Roman: How was Rosie this morning? Did she get her donut for getting an A on her spelling test yesterday?

I lowered the phone to my desk and held my head in my hands. Damn it! I knew I had forgotten something this morning. That also explained her sudden hostility toward me on our way to school.

Me: No, there was a shoe incident, and we were late. I totally forgot about it until now.

Roman: I’m sure she’ll understand.

Me: Not a chance. Rosie holds grudges more than anyone I know. I worry about her future boyfriends—especially when they cheat on her in her dreams. They’re in for a world of hurt.

Roman: Shit.

Me: Right?

Roman: Maybe you can make it up to her and grab them on your way home?

I felt the idea start to blossom inside of me, finally something good that could turn the day around and get me back on Rosie’s good side. Before it could last, I heard the ding on my computer and read the email that had just come in from my boss.

Me: Apparently the universe hates me today. My boss just scheduled another mandatory meeting this afternoon.

Roman: Are you going to be able to make it to pick her up?

Me: No. I’m going to call my mom and see if she can help me again.

Roman: I can pick her up if you want. Just call the school and let them know. I’ll be sure to check in at the front desk when I get there.

I felt my heart flutter at the offer. How he even knew the procedures were beyond me, but I didn’t have time to stop and question it.

Me: Are you sure? I don’t want you to have to miss work.

Roman: I’ll just take a late lunch. It’s no big deal.

Me: Okay, if you’re sure?

Roman: Quinn- stop. I got it.

Me: What about work?

Roman: I can just bring her back here if that’s okay? Then I can take her home when you get off.

Me: Okay, but let me know if she starts to be any trouble.

Roman: She’s five. How much trouble can she be?

I tipped my head back and laughed.