Page 42 of Fragile Heart

“I’m getting there. So, Kyle was great, and it was hard on all of us when he died. I think the whole town mourned for a good year. But the thing about Kyle was that he was about living for the moment. He knew he wasn’t going to live long. He wanted to enjoy every moment of the life he had. And Quinn was there for all of it. But after he died, I think she got stuck. She’s forgotten to live her own life because she’s been so busy trying to figure out how to honor him without leaving him behind. She needs someone to show her how to live again. And I’ve seen her changing just being around you.” She pauses to see if I’m going to say anything, but I don’t, hoping she’ll continue with the advice I’m after.

“So, I think you need to treat her like any other girl you’ve been with.” I cock an eyebrow in question. “Ok, well, maybe not every girl because I hear you’ve made your rounds. But show her passion and a good time. Show her what it’s like to be a woman again. Don’t pity her. Don’t be sad for her. If you want her, then show her that. She’s been alone for so long, she probably won’t pick up on the typical signals.”

“What do you suggest?”

“I don’t know. Maybe throw her against a wall and kiss her like your life depends on it?” She laughs again at her own joke. “I don’t know. I can’t tell you how to make a move on my best friend. It’s weird.”

I nod. “Ok. Thanks for your help,” I say sincerely.

“Anytime, Hollywood.” I stand to leave, but she stops me. “But I swear to God, if you hurt her, I’ll cut your fucking dick off.” I stare at her, momentarily frozen while I absorb her threat. The old guy sitting next to me stares between us with wide eyes.

“You’re something else, you know that?” I ask, shaking my head as I finally turn to leave. That’ll be the last time I ask that woman for advice.

But she did actually help me out. Treat her like I would treat any other woman. I can handle that. I just hope I don’t fuck it up. Quinn isn’t a random hookup. She means something to me, and I want to make sure I mean something to her, too.

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