Page 4 of Against the Clock

When she continued to refuse to answer me, I let out a heavy sigh and tilted my head to look at her.

“Just tell me what’s going on, Quinn.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because I can’t.”

I paused for a moment, trying to figure out the best way to approach this.I knew Quinn well enough to know that once she shuts down on something, there’s no coming back from it.Something was going on, and I was determined to find out what it was.

“If the US Government thinks that I’m trustworthy, surely you can too,” I offered with the smile that usually got me whatever I wanted.

For a split second, she looked like she was considering telling me before she snapped her jaw shut and pulled her shoulders back.

“It’s getting late.I need to get Rosie home.”

She didn’t look back as she stormed out and found her still with Mike, dancing happily in the grass.I followed after her but kept my distance, watching as they made their way to his mom to say goodbye.She frowned and looked disappointed but could tell by Quinn’s face that it wasn’t the time to press her to stay.

They slipped out quietly, with Quinn keeping a hand on Rosie’s shoulder the entire time, almost like she was afraid to let her out of her sight.I walked over and sat down next to Mike in the same seats we were sitting in earlier.I scanned the crowd noticing it had started to thin out some.

I looked down at my watch.It was barely after ten, but apparently, people our age didn’t party as hard as we did twenty-some years ago.I spotted the guy who had been with Rosie in her grandma’s bedroom and was about to ask about him when I heard Mike mutter, “who the fuck invited her?”before slouching down in his chair and pulling his Yankees ballcap lower over his face.

“Nice to see you too,” the woman said with fake enthusiasm, hitting the side of his arm with her tiny purse.I knew it had an official name, but I could care less what it was.

“To what do I owe this pleasure?”Mike asked, looking her up and down before getting bored and looking away.

Whoever she was, was dressed nicely in a black dress wrapped tightly around her body, showing off some major curves.Her black heels gave her an extra four inches, making her look even taller than she already was.

“I’m here to meet someone,” she replied.She looked around as Mike stood up, then seemed to notice me.Not wanting to be rude, I joined them and extended my hand to hers when she said, “I’m Anastasia.”

“Roman,” I said, biting the inside of my cheek when I realized exactly who she was.“It’s so nice of you to join us for Mike’s big birthday bash.”I clapped my hand on his shoulder and felt him elbow me in the ribs.

“Well, given that I know how much he would enjoy that, I’m not here for it.”She laughed lightly and looked around.“I’m supposed to meet someone here, but I don’t see them.”

“Meet someone?”Mike asked, head tilted to the side.“Like as adate?”

I watched the blush creep up her neck.

“If you must know, yes, like a date.”

“Dressed like that?”

“What’s wrong with how I’m dressed?”She planted a hand firmly on her hip.

“Nothing, it’s just a little...”Mike threw his hands in the air when he couldn’t think of the words he wanted to use.

“Sexy?”she offered with a smug smile.

“There you are,” a man interrupted, bumping my shoulder as he squeezed his way between Mike and me to hug her.“Are you ready to go?”

“I sure am,” she replied sweetly, almost flinching when he slid his arm around her waist.

“Cool,” he said heavily, the smell of beer heavy on his breath.“Happy birthday, man.See you on Monday.”

As they left, I felt my stomach knot tighter when I watchedUncle Saulwalk out with Mike’s archnemesis from work.

“Who is that guy?”I asked, nodding to them as they left.

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