Page 38 of More than Paper

“Yes. Where are you taking me next?”

“I can’t tell you. I just have to show you.”

8

Quinn

Jamisonand I leave the bar. He pulls me close as before, but instead of sinking into him and feeling happy, I can’t get my mom and Maximillion Evinrude, her boss, off my mind.

I hate that nasty man.Even his name is pompous.

“Quinn?” Jamison asks.

“Oh, sorry. What was that?”

Focus Quinn. Don’t let Maximillion ruin your date.

“I asked if your boss got back to you? You said today you were worried about it.”

“Oh. Yes. Everything is fine. He said to take a few days, and then I could do some work from here if needed. But I didn’t bring my laptop.”

“You can use mine if you want.”

“Thanks. I’ve been saving for a new Mac. I suppose I should take the plunge and get it now. Everything is on the cloud, so I can access it anywhere.”

“I got the new model the other day. It’s pretty awesome if you want to try it out.”

“Thanks, but that’s out of my budget. I’ll be sticking with a basic bottom-line refurbished one,” I say in a teasing tone, but there is no joking about it. My salary doesn’t go very far, living in the city.

“Well, feel free to use mine while you are here.”

“Thanks.”

“How long do you think you’ll stay?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never had this happen to any of my friends before. My boss sounded nice in the email, but he’s only going to be nice for so long. He’s a half dick.”

“A half dick?”

“Yeah. Sometimes he’s a dick and sometimes he’s not. It’s like Jekyll and Hyde.”

“Glad I could learn a new term tonight. We’re here.” He waves me ahead of him.

I open the door and stop.

Jamison puts his arms around my waist from behind and leans into my ear. “You have to step all the way in for me to come in as well.”

“Oh, sorry.” I move in and to the side then I survey the busy room. There’s soft music playing and a coffee bar. Tables, couches, and comfy chairs are scattered throughout, and people are drinking coffee and reading or chatting. A few people are quickly typing on their laptops. Bookcases line every wall, full of novels. “You brought me to a bookstore?”

He grins at me. “Thebookstore.”

“Thebookstore?”

He points to all the shelves. “These are all books by indie authors.”

“All of them?”

“Yep.”

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