Page 46 of Home Coming

“Nope,” Quinn answered the man at the podium matter of factly.

It was late for lunch and too early for the dinner crowd and the place was nearly empty. He wasn’t going to apologize for his lack of reservation.

“Just two of you?”

“Yup.”

With a nod, the man grabbed two menus and turned toward a table in the front by the windows.

“Um, something in the back please,” he said, stopping him mid-step.

“Of course.” He pivoted and led them to a small table in the back.

Away from the sunlight coming in the front windows, lit only by the sconces on the wall, it was dim and secluded.

“Perfect. Thank you.”

“I’ll send the server right over.”

During the whole exchange, Bailey hadn’t spoken.

Ignoring the menu in front of him, he leaned forward. “What’s up?”

Bailey shot him a glance that saidwhat do you mean, what’s upbefore she said, “You saw them.”

“The photographers?” he asked.

“Yes.” She nodded.

“You said they’ve been like that since your first date with Axel.”

“Yes, but then they were looking to get a shot of him. Now, they’re after me.”

They’re after me.

Her choice of words described exactly how she must be feeling. They matched the hunted look in her eyes. The caution that tensed her muscles and kept her shoulders high and her chin low as if she were trying to make herself a smaller target.

“They’re not going to get to you. Not with me here.”

“But you’re not always going to be here,” she whispered.

And that, in a nutshell, was why he was fighting the urge to slide in next to her on her side of the booth. To kiss her until that haunted expression left her face.

All he could do was protect her while he was here. And forget about her when he was gone.

He could do the first.

The second might be a problem.

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

Bailey’s cell vibrated with a text alert, drawing her attention away from the salad she’d been picking on.

One glance at the name on the display had her groaning.

“What?” Quinn asked, the hand holding a french fry that looked absolutely amazing poised halfway between the plate and his mouth.

She raised her gaze to his. “It’s from Xander.”

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