I cut a piece, put it in my mouth, and groaned. I opened my eyes to find Harry watching me with raised brows, so I garbled, “You wan’ some?”
He shook his head, nursing his coffee. “What’s up with you? Why are you being all weird?”
I paused mid-chew. I was being weird? How? My shoulders jerked in an awkward shrugged. “I’m good.”
Harry nodded. “I know. I can see that. The question is why? Why are you good?” He paused a moment. “You’re not still seeing that client are you?”
Shit. It always came back to that, didn’t it? “No. That client is officially off my list.” I cleared my throat and uttered, “Actually, I was thinking about taking a break from work.”
I watched my best friend inhale his coffee and choke on it. He spluttered, coughing, and wheezed out, “Like a vacation? For how long?”
I ate another piece of French toast, chewing slowly. “Yeah, like a vacation.” Then I added, “Permanently.”
Harry leaned forward, eyes wide. “You’re quitting?”
“I think so. Yeah.”
He sat back, astounded. “What brought this on?”
I breathed in deeply then exhaled slowly. “I don’t know. I’ve got more money than I could ever use in one lifetime. I’ve had more than my share of women, and even though I could still do it, my heart’s not in it. Sex is becoming a chore. I never thought I’d think of it that way, but I am.” I toyed with my fork. “I’m thinking of going back to school.”
Harry’s mouth gaped. “I don’t even know what to say here. Maybe…congratulations? What do you want to study?”
“Criminal justice,” I answered immediately.
“No shit,” he said in admiration.
I sipped my coffee. “Well, yeah. It gives you a step up if you want to become a cop. After I finish studying, I’ll enroll at the local PD. If everything looks good, I’ll go into a twelve-week training program, and then I’ll be busting caps in everyone’s asses pretty much all the time, just because. Best thing is that I can study and work at the same time.” I blinked down at my plate. “I can be one of those regular Joes. I’d have steady work hours, do something worthwhile, and be respectable, you know?”
His eyes narrowed at me. “It’s a girl.”
“What?”
He shook his head at me and smiled. “It’s because of a girl. You want to stop, because of a girl.” He barked a laugh. “Never thought I’d see the day. Who is she?”
Your sister. “Someone special.”
He grinned. “She’d have to be, for you to quit work for her.” His smile waned. “I get it. I do. I wanted it too, the normal life.” The look on my face must’ve confirmed his suspicions, because he dug deeper. “You’re not gonna tell me who she is?”
I shook my head. “Not yet. It’s still fresh. It might turn out that she doesn’t want me in the long run. But I’m trying to be everything she deserves.”
Harry blinked at me. “Whoa. This is serious shit.”
I agreed, “It is. It’s scary as fuck.” I added quietly, “She knows I’m an escort. She knows, and she’s still great about it. She doesn’t look at me like I’m dirty and disgusting. She’s never asked me to quit either. She gets it. She gets me.”
“Unbelievable,” Harry blew out. “Sounds like she’s an amazing woman.”
“She’s more than that.” I looked him in the eye. “She’s everything.”
“Don’t play yourself short, Quinn,” Harry uttered. “If this is what’s going to make you happy, then you deserve it just as much as she does. And I’ve got your back. Can’t wait to meet her, man.”
My stomach coiled violently.
Yes, you can, Harry. Trust me…you can.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Mia
I was officially freaked out.
One day. It had been one day since I found Addison crying. One day was all it took for her attitude to do a complete one-eighty. She was a different person.
I’d seen her around the office conversing happily with surprised employees, even going so far as to make lame jokes and listen to what they had to say. It seemed she found that woman inside of her, the woman she claimed was gone.
A smile spread across my lips as I watched her. She’d done it, and I was happy for her. I was only hoping the change was permanent.
When I left for the day, I passed her office and stopped. “Bye, Mrs. Dietrich.”
She lifted her pretty face from the computer screen and blew away stray pieces of her white blonde hair. “Mia, I was actually hoping to have a chat with you, if you have the time.”
I checked my watch then stepped inside. “Sure, my bus doesn’t get here for another half-hour.”
She stood. “I know my first impressions on you weren’t the best, and I’m sorry for that.” She looked down at the floor, mildly uncomfortable. “The last few years haven’t been kind to me, and although that’s not an excuse for my atrocious behavior, I’m making a fresh start. I’m hoping that we could do the same.”
My brows furrowed in confusion. “Make a fresh start?”
She nodded, holding out her hand, smiling. “Hello, Mia. My name is Addison. It’s nice to meet you.”
I didn’t hesitate in taking her hand. This could not be easy for her. I had no right to feel proud of her, yet I did. “Hello, Addison. Likewise.”
We dropped hands and she blew out a breath. “I’d like for everyone to start calling me by the first name. Mrs. Dietrich is long gone. We’re a team. We need to act like one.”
I smiled in response, walking back out of the room. Just as I left, I uttered. “It really is nice to meet you, Addison.”
I left work feeling the weight off my shoulders lighten. The sad part was I hadn’t even noticed the weight was there.
As soon as I got to my apartment building, I detoured, making my way to the apartment across from mine.
I knocked on the door and it swung open. Terry looked me up and down slowly. “Well, well, well. Look at what the cat dragged in.”
My nose bunched. “Hey!”
He grinned. “Sorry. I’ve always wanted to say that.” He turned on his heel. “Come in, my little dove.”
I looked around the apartment, taking my bag and leaving it by the kitchen counter. “Where’s Bill?”
His lips pursed adorably as he got a couple of glasses out of the cabinet. “Working.” He pouted. “He’ll be home soon though. Smoothie? Cocktail? Juice? What’s today’s poison?”
I sat on a stool and sighed, stretching my neck, trying to get the kinks out. “Juice, I think. Where have you been? Your apartment door has been closed for days. I’ve been so cold and alone without you,” I teased.
His eyes narrowed. “Uh-huh. Yeah. Is that why I happened to open my front door in time to see you walk down the hall, arm-in-arm with some sexy, tall glass of water this morning?” I held my tongue, but could feel my cheeks heat, and he laughed. “Yeah. Lonely, my ass.”
I bit my lip to hide my smile. “Well, I’ve missed you regardless.”
He stopped mid-step, holding a hand to his heart with a gooey expression on his face. “Oh, honey.” He came up behind me and wrapped his lean but muscular arms around me. “Out of all the people who have lived next door, I find you the least annoying.” He ended on a squeeze.
I choked out a laugh, patting his hand. “That was meant to be a compliment, right?”
He pulled away with wide eyes. “The biggest.” He moved to sit on the sofa and I followed him. He brought his glass to his lips, sipped, then asked, “So, you want to tell me why you’re still seeing the hooker? ‘Cause, sweetie, you’re gorgeous.” He mock-whispered, “You don’t need to pay for nookie.”
I sharp bark of laughter shot out of me. “I’m not paying him for it.” Terry looked stunned but amused. I sipped my juice and added, “Not anymore, anyway.”
Terry beamed excitedly. “Are you telling me that you had this hooker dude take your V-card, and now he wants super fun sexy time
with you all the time?” He chuckled. “Shit. Only you, Mia.”
I sputtered and a rant formed, “N-no. Not all the time. I mean…we’re not going at it like rabbits. Well, sometimes, but he’s really quite sweet, and we’re keeping it secret so my brother won’t find out, because, seriously, I think Harry would kick his ass. He’s so protective. Matt’s funny, and easy to talk to, and…” I gulped, my stomach ached violently and let out a strained, “and I’m pretty sure I’m in love with him.”