“Yeah. Learn to stand up for myself.”
“You will, in time.” Rae’s pulse jumped as she struggled for a placid tone. “Don’t let anyone stand in your way.”
Quinn rubbed his temples, as if dispelling a disturbing thought. “My dad will be angry when he figures out why he can’t reach me.”
“Just remember what I told you. The choice on where to live is legally yours. Mik has no power over you.”
“He won’t see it that way.”
“Maybe not, but you’re more than welcome to stay here.”
This didn’t sound nearly as positive as she’d like. Pausing, Rae dug deep for the right words. Quinn was learning to stand up for himself. She refused to let him down.
She caught his gaze. “I want you to stay, Quinn. You’re doing well in my home, and I like having you around. The last months have been hard . . . You’ve been an incredible help. More than you imagine. Plus, my father adores you. He seems ten years younger since you moved in.”
It was too much affection too fast. Quinn looked pained, too distraught to respond. Silently Rae chastised herself. His emotions were a delicate ballet. She was still learning the steps.
She picked up her briefcase. “I guess I’ll head out.” The urge to embrace him was powerful. To give physical proof to her desire to stand by him. Rae warded off the impulse. “If there’s anything else you’d like to discuss, I don’t have to—”
“No. I’m good.”
“Sure. Well, have a great day at school.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll see you tonight,” she added, stalling.
Quinn’s expression churned, and she knew there was something more. Another problem he seemed incapable of sharing.
With misgivings, she pivoted away.
“Wait.” Quinn bit at his lower lip. “Rae, there’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about. I shouldn’t have waited this long. A dumb move, on my part.”
“Sure. I’m all ears.”
“It’s about Lark . . . what she was doing without telling you. I suppose she would’ve filled you in, eventually. I don’t want you to get mad, finding out now.”
The oxygen left the room. A new, darker element rushed in.
“I won’t be angry, promise.” She dredged up an encouraging smile. “What is it?”
“It’s about the stuff you wouldn’t tell her. The things you and Lark fought about.” A darting glance, this one anxious. “You know—about her dad.”
The moisture fled Rae’s mouth. “You mean, how she wanted to know who he was?”
Past tense, and Quinn frowned. “Who the guy is,” he said, correcting the error. “Lark did know him. She knew him well. Sometimes they spent time together, on Wednesdays.”
Chapter 23
Outside, tires screamed.
Dropping his briefcase, Griffin sprinted to the window. Two stories below, a blue Honda Civic swerved past the dealership. Jumping the curb, it clipped an empty flower planter near Design Mark’s entryway. The car screeched to a halt.
There wasn’t time to process what was happening. Within seconds Rae was up the stairwell and marching into his office. An easy maneuver; his staff wasn’t in yet.
“Griffin! You sneaky, manipulative—” She bit back an oath. “What’s wrong with you? Who gave you permission to associate with my daughter?”
Bafflement held Griffin like a vise. Of all the potential interactions he’d imagined having with Rae when they eventually ran into each other, he never could’ve predicted this full-on assault. Scrambling for the right words, he managed to fake an air of composure.
“Slow down, Rae,” he said. “Why don’t you let me—”
“Don’t tell me what to do! We’re not in high school anymore. You’re not my boyfriend. Even when you were, I didn’t let you order me around.”
“Listen, I can see you’re upset.”
“I’m not upset. I’m livid! I can’t begin to comprehend what excuse you think will get you out of this. Of all the devious, backhanded stunts. Lark was visiting Design Mark for weeks? Why didn’t you put her on the payroll, Griffin? Ask her to drop her after-school activities to schlep coffee for your staff? No one in their right mind lets a ninth grader roam their place of employment, not without checking with the girl’s mother . . .”
Getting in a word proved impossible. Better to let her vent until she ran out of steam.