Page 50 of No Turning Back
"WHAT?!" she finally manages to form a word. "YOU AND SAM? YOU KISSED SAM? THE SAM? HOT BEARDED VIKING SAM?"
"Jesus, Kate, I think you just burst my eardrum," I say, my ear still ringing. "Yes, that Sam.
"Oh my god," she says, "how was it?"
I look out the window, smiling like an idiot. "Oh god, Kate, I didn't know a kiss could feel like that."
She squeals again, lower this time, thank God. "So... how'd you leave it?"
"I had to leave for work and he wasn't there when I came down," I explain, still feeling his lips on mine. "He did say this bit about leaving before he doesn't let me."
"Oh god," she fangirls like a teenager.
"I mean, I always knew we had chemistry but we worked together and I didn't wanna be that girl. Plus I didn't think he still felt like that. I mean, come on, all I've done these past months is whine about my life and work and the divorce." I pause, reality hitting me. "God, Kate, I'm not even divorced yet."
Kate sighs. "Quinn, you have filed. There is no way you're taking Markus back."
"God no," I interject quickly.
"It's just a technicality then," she finishes. "You wouldn't even be here if he wasn't such a cunt."
I nod, Kate's words making sense despite my whirling thoughts. "Nice words."
"Sooooo," she says, drawing out the word with dramatic flair, "now what?"
"What do you mean?" I ask, turning into the parking lot.
She sighs again. "Quinn, you kissed a man you live with this morning..." she trails off, leaving the implication hanging in the air.
"Oh my god," I gasp as the realization hits me. "What if he expects sex?"
"Good," she says bluntly. "You've been kind of a grouch."
"Hey," I say, feeling slightly offended even though I know she's right. "True, but cheap shot. Besides, we live together. What if it doesn't work out and I lose my home? Again." I emphasize the last word, the fear of displacement still raw.
"Calm down," she says, her voice softening. "Sam doesn't strike me as that kind of a guy, and if you're not ready, just tell him. Nobody said one kiss has to lead to sex."
I nod again. "You're right," I say, a little disappointed.
The truth is, part of me had been hoping for a different answer. Something that would give me permission to dive headfirst into whatever this is with Sam. But Kate's right, we need to take this slow, think it through.
No matter how much I want to throw caution to the wind.
Chapter Sixteen
Quinn
"I've gotta go. I'm at the centre now," I tell her, shifting my car into park.
"Call me if you need to talk," Kate demands. "And Quinn? Don't overthink this. Just... be happy for once."
I hang up and sit in my car for a moment, gathering myself. My lips still tingle from Sam's kiss, and the memory sends a fresh wave of butterflies through my stomach.
It's been so long since I've felt this, this electricity, this anticipation. I'd forgotten what it was like to want someone and to feel wanted in return.
But Kate's right. One kiss doesn't mean I need to panic about what comes next. We're adults. We can figure this out.
I take a deep breath and step out of my car; the morning air is already thick with humidity. The therapy centre’s brick façade stares back at me, its windows reflecting the rising sun. It's nothing like the ranch with its weathered wood and endless sky, but this place has its own kind of warmth.
