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A minute passes, and I finally receive a text. “Kincaid’s. Do you know where it is?”

Yep, but I’ve only been there with my brother, who hates me right now.

I still haven’t spoken to my brother since our most recent nasty text exchange. The last thing I want to do is run into him, especially when Jamison and I are trying to figure out where we stand.

I grab a cab over to Kincaid’s. My insides are shaking, and I remind myself it’s just lunch. We’re in public. Nothing can happen, and it’s safe.

Jamison is waiting for me. As soon as I set foot inside the building, he quickly pulls me into his arms, and I sink into his warmth. The familiar warmth of his body, the clean, woody scent of his skin, and the way his arms wrap around me, I’ve missed more than I could comprehend. Tears come to my eyes, and I smash my face against his suit jacket.

“Hey,” he softly says, stroking my head. “I’ve missed you so much.” He kisses the top of my head, and tears start to fall out of my eyes.

“Doll, what’s wrong?” he gently asks.

I pull back and wipe my eyes. “Nothing.”

“Quinn?” He cups my face.

I bite my lip and stare into his beautiful green eyes that I’ve missed.

“This is so hard,” I whisper.

“It’s killing me.”

“I feel like my heart is being ripped out of my chest.”

His eyes fill with tears. “Nothing has changed. I love you. Tell me what I need to do so we can get past this. Please. I’ll do anything.”

“I don’t know.”

Pain crosses his face. “I don’t think staying away from each other is the solution. Do you think this is helping us move forward?”

Is it helping?

“No,” I admit quietly.

He weaves his fingers through my hair and tilts my head up before gently brushing his lips on mine. “Then let’s stop staying away from each other. Can we agree on that?”

I don’t even think. “Yes.”

“Good. Come back to New York with me.”

“I can’t. I have too much going on at work. Can you stay?”

He sighs. “I have to be back tonight. I have a meeting at six a.m. tomorrow with one of the hospitals.”

“Okay.”

“What about this weekend? I have a board meeting and charity events over the weekend. You could come with me to the events.”

“It’s my mom’s birthday. I have a family dinner to attend.”

“Have you talked to your brother yet?”

“No.”

“Are you going to before you see him?”

“I don’t know.”

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