Page 16 of Chasing Me

“Now, that was something interesting.What were you thinking about?”

I ducked my head and fumbled with the napkin.Damn, this was awkward.“Umm, nothing.Just planning how to make sure I’m hired.”

He leaned back in the booth.The lights gleamed in his ginger hair, and his dark eyes sparkled.He was really handsome in an understated way.Different from James’s intense, sexual looks that always made my tummy drop to my toes.No, Brian gave me a settled, happy feeling.Like I wanted to remain around him, talking.“I have a feeling you can get whatever you put your mind to.”His lip curled a bit.“Tell me about the boyfriend.In love?”

I shifted in my seat.“Yes.We met last year in Key West on Spring Break.He moved here this past summer.”

Brian lifted a brow.“Moved for you, huh?That is serious.What does he do?”

“He’s an artist.Goes to school at the Brush Institute.”

“Great place.Must be talented.”

“He is.”

Brian’s eyes darkened.He leaned in just a bit and lowered his voice to an intimate pitch.“Then maybe he’s worthy of you.”

A strange intensity built between us, and I shook my head to clear it.“He is,” I said firmly.

“Good.”

More staring.Time to leave.I grabbed my purse and placed some money on the table.Suddenly, his hand shot out and entwined with mine.At the touch of his skin over mine, I gasped and jerked back.He studied my expression and slowly pushed the bills back toward me.

“My treat.”

“But I—”

“Put your money away, Quinn.”His order allowed me no recourse, so I shoved the cash back into my purse and thanked him.I was embarrassed at my lame reaction to a simple touch, but he immediately put me back at ease.We chatted a bit as we left, and I was laughing at one of his jokes about overachievers when I pushed open the door.

And ran straight into James.

“Quinn?”His hands held me hard.Those aqua-blue eyes narrowed as he caught sight of Brian right behind me.Uh-oh.James was known to be extremely jealous and possessive.It was one of the sexy elements that made our relationship exciting, but right now, I needed him to be cool.I jumped right into introductions before he could ask the question.

“James!What are you doing here?This is Brian.He’s the new assistant director of New Beginnings.”I emphasized his title and hoped he’d get my subtle meaning.

He nodded and stuck out his gloved hand.“Nice to meet you, Brian,” he said stiffly.“I’m James.Quinn’s boyfriend.”

Brian flicked his gaze over James, seeming to catch the undercurrent of warning in his tone.I almost groaned at the pissing match beside me.Men were so weird.

“Nice to meet you, James,” Brian said pleasantly, shaking his offered hand.“Quinn was just telling me about you.Says you’re an artist.”

“That’s right.”To me, James said, “I was heading to the clinic to let you know I need to stay late at the studio tonight.”

“Oh, that’s okay.I have an essay to write.”

“Fine.Need a ride back to school?”

“Sure, thanks.”I turned to Brian, thanked him for lunch, and we said our goodbyes.James was quiet as we made our way toward the car.When I finally slid into the seat and buckled up, I turned to face him.“How was Joe’s?”

His jaw clenched.“A real blast.How was your lunch?”

I studied him for any undercurrents of sarcasm, but he seemed sincere.I let out a breath.I was really being ridiculous by expecting him to be jealous just because I had lunch with a male business associate.I guess announcing I belonged to him set up the ground rules between men.“Great.Brian’s implementing a new program he wants me to be part of.We were discussing it.I’ll be really busy for the next few weeks.He only takes five people in, and I’m one of them.”

“Quinn, your schedule is already overbooked.Between school and two jobs, do you have time for this?I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

I raised my chin.“This is important.I think it’ll put me in a good spot to get that permanent position once I graduate.I can do this.”

He muttered under his breath and squealed into a parking space.Shoving his fingers through his thick hair, he whirled around to face me.“We barely see each other as is.How many more days will you be gone?”

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