Page 33 of More than Paper

“Go get ’em, Tiger.”

“Talk soon. Bye.” I hang up the phone and whistle at Quinn. “I told you that you would look hot.”

She grimaces. Sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt your call.”

“You didn’t. Ready to go?”

“Yes.”

I help her into her jacket, throw my own on, and we head for the private elevator in my wing. We step outside into a bitter-cold wind. I pull Quinn into me. “The restaurant is two blocks away. You good to walk, or is it too cold and windy?”

“I’m from Chicago. This isn’t wind.”

“Guess we are walking, then.”

“Are you going to tell me where we are going?”

“First stop is the best burger in New York.”

“Yes! I’ve been craving a burger all day. What’s the next stop?”

“I’ll tell you later.”

“You’re going to torture me,” she whines.

“I have better ways of torturing you.” I grin at her.

“Ha, ha.”

It doesn’t take long for us to get to the restaurant. It’s a microbrewery with over one hundred craft beers. Massive steel barrels rise from the bar floor to the ceiling. Several booths line the walls, and the rest of the restaurant is outfitted with tables and chairs.

The restaurant has customers, but it isn’t packed.

“Jamison,” the hostess says. “How’ve you been?”

“Good. Carrie, this is Quinn.”

“Nice to meet you, Quinn.”

“Same to you.”

“Just you two?” she asks.

“Yes. Is there a wait?”

“I’ll get you in. Come with me.” She leads us through the bar and restaurant area to the booth in the back. “This work?”

“Perfect, Carrie. Thanks.”

She sets down the menus and leaves. I help Quinn take off her coat and put it on the hook on the side of the booth then do the same with mine.

We sit across from each other.

“They have milkshakes here, but I think the beer is better,” I tell her.

“Beer sounds good. What’s good here?”

I squint. “Do you normally drink beer?”

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