Page 12 of Chasing Me (Beyond Me #2)

QUINN

I GATHERED UP MY NOTEBOOK, exhausted but buzzing from the amazing session.

I’d learned more about getting patients to open up and using guided meditation techniques to ease them through the process.

The research numbers were impressive, and Brian was really focused on retaining this extra program at New Beginnings.

Rolling my neck around to ease my sore muscles, I thought of a long, relaxing evening with James and grabbed my jacket. Maybe I’d get him to give me a massage. First food. Maybe sex, then food, then massage. At this point, I just needed to get myself home quick.

I popped my head into Brian’s office. He was always the last one to leave and the first one here in the morning. I admired his dedication and the way he stood side-by-side with his staff. “Night,” I called out.

“Quinn? Got a sec?”

I stood in the doorway. “Sure. What’s up?”

He rubbed his forehead. His ginger hair was all messy, and his face looked tired. “Any of the rest of the crew here?”

I shook my head. “No, I’m the last one. Did you need something?”

“I know you’ve been working nonstop, but I’ve got a new intake coming in. I could use a hand, and it would be great training. But if you’re tired or have schoolwork, I understand.”

I bit my lip. Damn. I was torn. I craved seeing James, and I had the paper to finish. Of course, the paper should only take an hour. “Do you know how long it will take?”

“About an hour, start to finish. I’ll order some food in.” He studied my expression for a moment, then waved his hand in the air. “No, forget it, Quinn. You’re pushing too much. Go home. Take a night off.”

I wanted this full-time job bad. If I demonstrated willingness to take on extra work and be a team player, I would have a step up on the competition. I took off my jacket and smiled. “I’m staying. I can work on my paper when I get home. It only needs editing.”

“You sure?”

“Yes.”

He smiled back at me, relieved. “Thanks, Quinn, I appreciate it. You like Chinese?”

“Sounds great. Let me just send out a quick text, and I’ll be ready.”

I grabbed my phone and walked into the hallway. I knew James wanted to spend some quality time, but I could still get home at a decent hour. I quickly texted him I needed to skip dinner, but to wait for me at home. I told him I’d be there by eight.

Praying he wouldn’t be too pissed, I slid my phone back into my pocket and headed inside. “He mad?” Brian asked.

I laughed. “Nope, he understands.”

“Good.” Brian grabbed a stack of forms. “Pull a chair up, and let’s start.”

We went over the intake forms, making some changes due to the new programs Brian wanted to implement, then met with the patient.

His name was Sam, and he was in his sixties.

Gray hair, rough beard, bloated cheeks, beer belly.

He gave off the desperate, angry vibe I’d seen from long-term alcoholics who didn’t think they’d ever stop, but were tired of living in the gutter.

I watched the way Brian dealt with Sam, balancing the fine line of support with tough love.

We spent a long time with him, and I realized it was one of the best intakes I’d ever been involved in.

Even in just that hour, I learned a lot.

When Sam was settled, we got back to his office, and the Chinese food was laid out in cartons. My stomach rumbled loudly. Brian laughed. “I know. As long as you don’t care, I say let’s ditch the plates and dig right in.”

I collapsed into the chair, grabbed a box of lo mein, and dug out a plastic fork from the paper bag. “Done.” He passed over a Diet Coke can, and we ate in happy silence, slurping noodles and savoring the salty spiciness of garlic sauce.

“You’re amazing with the patients,” I said in between bites. “It’s like you know what they need right at the perfect time.”

He took a sip of his soda. “Lots of practice. Studying. It doesn’t come overnight, but I have to tell you, Quinn, you have a knack. People respond to you.”

I shrugged. “I was always the one my friends came to,” I explained. “They’d tell me their secrets. I think they knew I could be trusted.”

He shook his head. Those light brown eyes turned serious. “It’s more than that. You actually care. There’s this vibe inside of you that makes people want to be close to you. Makes you feel safe.”

Startled, I looked up. Our eyes met and locked. A current of awareness surged between us, but then it disappeared, and I tried to pretend it never happened. “Oh, my God, what time is it?”

He glanced at his watch. “Ten.”

“I gotta go.” I wiped my mouth with a napkin and began gathering up the cartons to help clean up. “Thanks for dinner. I have to get home.”

“I’ll drive you.”

“No, it’s a short walk.”

I clumsily tipped over the rice, and he grabbed my hand. “Quinn, you’re not walking. I’ll drive you home right now.”

I held my breath, withdrew my hand, and nodded. “Okay. Thanks.”

He dumped everything in the trash, grabbed his coat and keys, and headed out.

The air was an arctic blast that numbed my skin, and I was glad for the ride.

I shivered in my coat, and he clicked on the button to heat my seat.

“Why did you move from Florida again?” I muttered, tucking my head down for warmth.

He laughed. “Too much sun makes you underappreciate a good day.”

“Try me.”

“Seriously, I missed the seasons. There’s something about embracing the changes in the weather, like changes in life. When summer hits, I’ll be able to savor every last drop of sunshine.”

I smiled. “I like the way you think. You’re a very positive person.”

“So are you, Quinn Harmon.”

The silence thickened. I swallowed, keeping my head down, and gave him the brief directions toward my apartment. Finally, he pulled up to the curb. “Thank you so much for the ride.”

“Thanks for staying.”

I slid off the seat, ready to jump out of the car, but he cut the engine and walked around to open my door. “Be careful. There’s ice.” Before I could say anything, he gripped my arm in a firm hold, tucking me into his body.

We reached the door, and I stepped quickly away. “Thanks again.”

Very gently, he touched my cheek. “Any time.”

Uncomfortable with the intimate look and his touch, I stepped back and fell into James’s arms.

Oh, he was pissed.

A mixture of chilly displeasure and hot temper swirled in those blue eyes. “Hello, Brian,” he clipped out. “I see we meet again.”

Brian frowned. “I’m sorry I kept Quinn late at work.”

James stared at him, his face tight. I knew he wanted to blast him, but knowing Brian was my boss, James managed to hold back. “Next time, let me know if she needs a ride. I can take care of her.”

Tension swirled in the air. The challenge was delivered. Brian stepped back as if accepting defeat. “Of course. Good night.”

James shut the door and dragged me inside. “What the hell is going on, Quinn?”

“I’m sorry! I know I texted you saying eight, but I had a patient intake, and it ran late, and then Brian ordered Chinese food, and we were talking, and I forgot about the time.” My explanation sounded lame to my ears, but it was the truth. I took off my coat, turned, and saw the room.

Oh. My. God.

He’d set up a card table with a pretty floral tablecloth.

Candles were lit, and the air was scented with apple spice.

Two plates lay out with small portions of steak, baked potatoes, and green beans.

A bottle of wine was uncorked in the center of the table.

A white envelope lay on my chair. Stunned, I walked over to the beautiful table, my heart beating wildly.

He’d set up the perfect dinner for me, and I’d ruined it.

I squeezed my eyes shut, feeling like crap.

“James, I’m so sorry,” I said again. “I didn’t know you were going to do this.”

“You’re never late,” he said. “When you say eight, you always mean eight. Why do you and Brian seem cozied up? What’s really going on?”

“Nothing! He’s just being nice to me, and it’s all about work.” A tiny sliver of guilt pierced through me, but I didn’t want to say anything about a touch when it probably meant nothing. It would only make matters worse, and I couldn’t have James upsetting my chance for the full-time job.

“You could’ve called me to pick you up.”

“It was just faster! I swear, I didn’t want this to happen. I was looking forward to seeing you tonight.”

His face hardened. “But not enough, right?”

I went over to him and reached out, but he jerked back. Oh, boy, this was bad. I had to get him to understand. “James, I want this job. I thought you supported this.”

“For God’s sake, I’ve been supporting you endlessly! I want you to have it all, but lately, I feel like a fucking pity case, like I’m at the bottom of your list. We haven’t talked or had a date or even fucked in a while. So, I’m asking again, what the hell is going on?”

My temper snapped. I was tired, stressed, and didn’t need a jealous boyfriend making me feel guilty. “You’re not a pity case. You’re the man I love! Is it so hard to just be patient for a while? Everything is happening at once, and I just need some damn space!”

Silence fell between us. I bit my lip. That hadn’t come out right. “I didn’t mean—”

“Fuck this. You want space? I’ll give you as much as you need. Let me know when you’re available.” He grabbed his jacket and headed toward the door.

“Don’t leave! James, please. Aren’t you staying over tonight?”

He shook his head and gave me a hard look. “You have a paper to write, remember? Call me when I’m not in the way.”

The door slammed.

I fisted my hands. Tears burned my lids.

What was happening to us? Why did I say such things when all I wanted was to be held in his arms?

I went over to the table and opened up the envelope.

The card was simple, a sketched-out caricature of a couple holding hands, sitting on a wall, watching a sunset.

I opened it up and found the simple scrawl.

It’s always been you, and always will be. Love, James.

I gripped the card tight between my fingers and vowed I’d fix everything.