Page 164 of Savage Suit

“Didn’t know if you’d give it to me,” he said without apology as he sat in a chair in front of my desk. “We need to talk, and we didn’t have time to do so yesterday.”

The words on the screen might as well have been hieroglyphics. I couldn’t process ad copy I’d been so proud of three or four days ago. I turned away from the computer and looked at Reid. “What can you say to me?” I grouched. “What’s done is done. You, Quinn, and Noah knew the truth of that ball and didn’t tell me.”

“None of us figured it out immediately. Forget Noah or me for a moment. Quinn loves you. She wouldn’t lie to you over something so important.”

Reid’s words just reinforced what Noah and Quinn said. I rubbed my temples. “It’s all just a big misunderstanding. I understand that. I was angry at first, but I’m over it. If I was holding a grudge, I wouldn’t have talked to you at all on the yacht.”

Yacht. Damn. I still could barely wrap my head around that.

“I convinced Quinn to have a drink with me last night once we got to the apartment.”

“Because Megan’s no longer at your place, though not at your suggestion,” I said darkly.

“She wouldn’t leave at first,” he said defensively. “But I didn’t come in here to talk about Miss Buford. Quinn told me about the argument you two had this past Saturday.”

“We made up.”

Reid nodded.

“So?”

“Listening as Quinn related what happened made you sound so fucking judgmental to her. She doesn’t need that from you, Ryan.”

Unable to believe he’d come in my office to chastise me over a matter not his business, I glared at him. “I don’t judge her. And even if it was your business, which it isn’t, Quinn and I have resolved the matter.”

“You told her virtue is important to you. What the fuck is that if not self-righteous bullshit?”

“I clarified I referred to myself—”

“That wasn’t the only fucked-up statement you made,” he growled. “You hurt her. I could say don’t do it again or else, but no one has any wish to feel Noah’s wrath, so I can only ask you to take better care with what you say to her.”

Fury surged in me. “My conversation with my sister isn’t your business. I’m not perfect and try to correct my mistakes. Quinn accepted my apology—”

“She didn’t express any anger when she spoke of the incident,” Reid interrupted. “She even defended your reasons for feeling as you do. I heard how hurt she was. Considering what happened Saturday night at your family dinner, I understand. How you feel about her is especially important to her.You, Ryan. Howyoufeel about her,” he stressed. “She couldn’t give less of a fuck about anyone else’s opinion.”

“Anything else? If not, please leave. I will call Quinn on my lunch break.”

“No!” he said, alarmed. “She doesn’t know I decided to talk to you.”

“Obviously, this needs to be addressed.”

“Ryan, she just agreed to accept my calls again, instead of sending them straight to voicemail. If you tell her I confronted you, she’ll block my fucking number and never talk to me again.”

“The only reason I’m agreeing to this is because I think Quinn has deep feelings for you, but I resent your interference.”

“Noted,” he said, sounding very Noah-like. “One other thing.”

“I need to get to work.” I glanced at the time. It was almost ten and Noah still hadn’t arrived. Or, if he had, he hadn’t called me to his office. Until I saw him and gauged his mood, my nerves were on edge. “How long are you here for today? I can come to your office after lunch.”

“I’ll be heading to the law firm in the next forty-five minutes. I just wanted to tell you your contract has been held up. Nicholas wants a couple of provisions removed.”

“Does it change my salary?”

“Not your base.”

“My allotted time at KMG?”

“No.”