Page 100 of Good Graces

“You’re telling me.” Jordan tips her glass toward me. “This is why I’m a bartender-only kind of girl now.”

“Better career stability,” I murmur.

“Exactly.”

We fall into another round of laughter, and I feel strangely present in a way I haven’t felt with them before. I’m not hovering on the edges of something. Not guarding myself in case they decide I’m not worth the effort.

I’m just here, being a girl.

Alyssa tilts her head. “So, what’s going on with you, Quinn? You’ve been different lately. Is it the boxing? We knew you’d like punching things.”

“That helps, yeah. But I guess there’s a little more to it than that.”

Jordan waggles her brows. “Is it a boy?”

I blink. “What makes you think that?”

“Oh my God, it is!” Jordan gasps. “Who is he?”

“No one,” I lie automatically. “I mean ... notno one. Just ...”

“You’re blushing,” Alyssa points out.

I groan and cover my face with both hands. “I hate this.”

“Is he hot?” Jordan presses.

“I’m not answering that.”

“Oh my God, he is,” she crows, clapping her hands. “I knew it. Quinn’s finally got herself a man.”

“He’s not—I mean . . . he’s just my ex, and we’ve been figuring things out,” I stammer. “It’s complicated.”

“Please, do go on,” Alyssa urges.

I hesitate, unsure how much I want to put into words. How do you explain Warren Mercer? The boy who once knew me better than anyone. Who saw through every wall I built and made me feel understood in a way no one else ever has.

And now? He’s the one I’m still trying to rebuild something with, piece by careful piece.

“It’s just a bit messy,” I say finally. “But I think it’s good. I think ... I don’t know.” I exhale slowly. “I really want it to be good.”

Jordan’s smile softens. “Sounds like you’ve got it bad.”

“Yeah, I guess I do.”

And weirdly? That doesn’t scare me as much as it should.

By the time the check comes, I’m still smiling. A real smile, the kind that lingers even when no one’s paying attention. I’m glad I came out with them. Glad Warren told me to try. If this is what letting people in feels like, I think I could learn to like it.

31

WARREN

The mock meetwasn’t my best, but it wasn’t bad, either. I hit my marks, mostly. Five events: 100 backstroke, 200 freestyle, 50 free, and the freestyle and medley relays. The former is still where I’m strongest, obviously, but my lead-off was solid.

It’s not as sharp as Voss wants it, but it’s getting there. Progress, definitely. A lock-in point that’s just a good practice or two away from clicking. Tension that’s slowly but surely fading.

I’m still damp, hair pushed back as I rap my knuckles against Robbie’s office door. There’s the familiar creak of a chair, then heavy footsteps before he swings it open.

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