Page 12 of Chasing Me

Brian looked intrigued, studying my face for a while.“Well, we’ll have to see how we can make that happen, won’t we?The clinic needs more people like you.Been with us for a while now.Most quit after six months, not able to hack it.”

I shifted on my feet.I always hated being the center of attention, but I wanted a job at the rehab on my own credentials.I loved working at the senior citizen home, but my heart told me I belonged at the clinic, working with alcoholics like my father.I pulled myself to full height and met his gaze full force.“I’m dedicated and want to make a difference here.I believe I can.”

He nodded.“Confident, too.I like that.Contact my office for a one-on-one appointment, Quinn.”He pressed a card into my hand, lingering a bit.“Call me.”

“I will.”My skin prickled as he refused to break eye contact, but then he looked up at my dad and I figured it was my imagination.I pegged him around his early thirties, and a total business professional.He’d never be interested in me in that capacity.

My father was beaming when Brian walked away, and seemed more excited than me.“Quinn, he’s going to be amazing for us.He has a vision and comes highly recommended from a rehab back in Florida.”

I raised my brow.“And he moved here?It’s so cold out my nose almost froze off.”

“Better opportunity for him.He’s settling in, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to offer to show him around.Hard to be in a new city.”

“We’ll see.I don’t want to get too personal if he’s going to be my boss.”

I saw the calculated gleam in my father’s eyes and knew what was going on.He didn’t like James, and wanted to see me with a man he believed to be more my type.“Being nice and perhaps becoming friends isn’t a big deal.Think about it.He seemed to like you.”

“Dad.I love James.”

He waved a hand in the air.“Sure.Where is he tonight?”

“At the cafe.”

My father didn’t respond for a few moments.“Quinn, did you ever really think of what could happen to you two if this art thing doesn’t work?He has no education.No skills.He’s almost twenty-five.What type of future do you plan on?”

My heart beat, but I remained calm.“A future together is all I want.He’ll succeed because he’s amazing, and I believe in him.Now, I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

“Fine by me.Let’s grab a bite to eat.”

We stopped and chatted a bit with the other attendees, but my father’s words kept flashing in irritating neon.We’d only been together about eight months, and lived for the moment.Sure, we were deliriously happy, but would we have to start thinking seriously past the moment and make hard decisions?Were we ready to handle the hard stuff, beyond our connection, and make it work?

Yes.Because our love was special and real.As my father said, life wasn’t supposed to be easy, but if we were committed to each other and worked hard, everything would work out.

Chapter Six

JAMES

“JAMES!WHERE’S THEcafe mocha latte with skim?”

“Coming!”I ground my teeth together, wiping down the disgusting tables with a rag, then hurried back behind the counter.The fucking beast machine with its intimidating silver sheen, dials galore, and burning steam that had already torn some of my skin off, mocked me, waiting to screw with me for the millionth time.

Joe’s was wildly popular with the college crowd, who were both low tippers and slobs, the worst combination.It had taken me a while to get into the routine of working coffee, and I gotta admit I had it all wrong.Trust me, being behind the counter is a different experience.I remember how many times I’d waltz in, order a bunch of designer coffees, complain about the wait, and stroll out without another thought.

Karma was a bitch.

I grabbed the cup, wiped my sweaty brow with the back of my arm, and began working the bitch machine, trying to get the steps right without visiting the hospital with second-degree burns.I got this one right, though the foam was low, but I threw a lid over it and got it to the guy in the leather coat with his designer glasses.His gaze flicked over me like I was an uninteresting insect, and he flipped his change into the big glass jar that readWE LOVE TIPS.The few quarters clinked against the sides and fell into the mostly empty jar.He wore Italian gloves, a cashmere scarf, and smelled of Clive Christian cologne.Bastard.

My temper inched a few levels higher, but I swore to keep it together.Reality sucked, but I needed to think of the big picture.Get into the art show, make some contacts, and get the hell out of this dead-end job.Check.

The next hour flew as I made coffee, cleaned tables, and heated up pieces of quiche, placing a sprig of parsley on it in an effort to make it look gourmet.My pansy T-shirt marking me a proud Joe’s employee stuck to my chest.The shop was stuffy and hot, and being around the endless steam didn’t help my smell.I wondered how Quinn was enjoying her night.

“James Hunt!”

I turned at the sound of a familiar voice.My heart sank to hell itself when I stared into my old friend’s face.“Rich?What the hell are you doing here?”

Rich and Adam had been my best buddies for most of my life.We grew up together with our rich parents, tearing through our trust funds and traveling the world spending our money.Rich had been with me in Key West when I first met Quinn, and bet me I couldn’t bed her within the week.When I came clean and chose her, Adam and Rich weren’t too happy about my decision, and we had a huge fallout.Hadn’t talked since.I had to admit I didn’t miss them much, either.Distance made me realize what assholes they were, and how I became one of them when we hung together.I hated who I became with them, and rarely gave them much thought.

Rich’s gaze flicked over my dirty T-shirt, sweaty face, and hands holding a cup of coffee.A vicious delight gleamed in his dark eyes, and I knew I was about to get shit.“I flew in to attend the museum banquet.Dad’s on the board, and you know how he likes to keep up appearances.”His lip curled.“Speaking of appearances, is this what love brought you to, buddy?Adam and I were wondering why we haven’t seen you around.Now I know why.We prefer the country clubs and the party scene.Not the coffee shops.”

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