Page 23 of Just Let Go

Hailey’s eyes widened. “You? My everything-has-to-be-just-so friend? That doesn’t sound like you.”

Quinn sighed. “I know. I’m usually out cold by eleven. I think it was at least 2a.m. before I finally drifted off to sleep.”

“What’s wrong?”

She shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

“It’s obviously not nothing. You’re the most regimented person I know. Something’s off.”

“I’ll be fine. It’s just been a busy week.” Shouldn’t she confide in her? Hailey knew all about the Winter Carnival and why her display had to be perfect. Hailey was one of the few people who understood what was at stake here.

The door swung open and Lucy Fitzgerald strolled in. While she was one of Quinn’s oldest friends, Lucy was cut from a completely different cloth than Hailey or Quinn. Two married parents who still loved each other. A brother, a sister, an impressive career as a freelance writer and journalist, a boyfriend who was hopelessly devoted to her—not to mention that ridiculous, jealousy-inducing figure she seemed to come by naturally. Plus, she was tan. In December. How was that possible?

But in spite of the fact that both Hailey’s and Quinn’s lives were the polar opposite of Lucy’s, she was impossible to hate. Lucy Fitzgerald was “a friend to all.” It said so underneath her senior photo in the high school yearbook. And it was true.

Besides, Quinn knew more about Lucy than the average person, and while it was easy to forget with Lucy’s sunny disposition, life hadn’t always been perfect for her red-haired friend. Lucy was no stranger to tragedy.

“Girls, I need coffee.”

Hailey stood. “I’ll be right back.”

“Mocha with extra whip,” Lucy called out after her.

Whole milk and extra whip? Only Lucy!

Quinn pushed the thought out of her mind and took a sip of her own latte, hopingitwasn’t accidentally made with whole milk.

“Is it official?” Lucy’s face beamed.

Quinn, tired though she was, felt her face warm into a smile. “It’s official.”

“You’re the owner?” Her eyes went wide.

Hailey returned with two drinks, one for Lucy and one for herself. “It’s official?”

“I signed the paperwork yesterday. Got the keys and everything.”

“How do you feel? You’re a business owner! Are you freaking out?” Hailey and Lucy oozed enthusiasm, their questions overlapping each other.

“I feel excited—relieved. Like, finally my life can begin.” She glanced up to see that both their faces had fallen. “What?”

Hailey and Lucy exchanged a quick but pointed glance. “It’s nothing,” Hailey said. “We’re really happy for you.”

“You can’t do that. I know you two. What was that look about?”

Lucy pressed her lips together, then smiled—a genuine smile, not one of those phony, meant-to-make-you-feel-better kind of smiles. “We just hope you’re right. That now your life can begin.”

“You’ve just been so stuck, Q. You have to admit it.” Hailey turned her mug around in her hand. “Maybe now you’ll move on.”

Quinn frowned. “I’m moving on toward the Floral Expo—that’s been my goal for years. To buy the shop and design a display worthy of recognition.”

Lucy reached across the table and laid her hand over Quinn’s. “What if it doesn’t go the way you want it to?”

“Like, if my display doesn’t make it?” Quinn couldn’t think about that.

“Like, if she’s not there. Or she doesn’t react the way you imagine she will?” Lucy’s question hung overhead, begging her attention.

Quinn’s nervous laugh didn’t hide her inner pain—not from her two closest friends. “I don’t imagine anything, you guys. I know what I’m getting myself into. I just...”

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