CHAPTER 8
Cole
Glassy hazel eyes blink up at me. She’s curled on the floor, knees drawn in, shoulders hunched, mascara smudged beneath red-rimmed eyes. Strands of hair stick to her cheeks, her chest lifting in uneven, shallow breaths.
“Quinn?”
For a second, I just stand there like an idiot, frozen in the doorway. The urge to drop down and fold her into my arms slams into me so hard I nearly stumble.
“Sorry.” She flicks her gaze up for a heartbeat before it drops again. Her voice fractures as she mumbles, “We’re probably not supposed to be in here.”
“Don’t worry about that.” I lower my tone further, not wanting to upset her any more than she already is.
She tucks her knees tighter against her chest, chin pressing down as she whispers, “Thanks,” so faint it almost disappears.
“What happened?”
She blinks, swipes under her eyes with the heel of her hand, and forces a smile that quivers at the edges. “Nothing. My feet are just sore.”
“You sure?” I spare a glance at Sophie who stands nearby.
It doesn’t make any sense. A half hour ago she was laughing in my lap, fingertips brushing my chest like it was the most natural thing in the world. Now she’s unravelling in the back room of my bar, and I’m at a loss for what to do.
She makes an attempt at clearing her throat. “I just… need a minute.”
Another tear slides down her cheek, and it knocks the air from my lungs. My body leans toward her on instinct, but I hold back, fingers flexing uselessly at my sides.
Sophie’s voice cuts in. “We just… ran into someone she didn’t need to see,” she says, shooting me a quick look that softens almost instantly.
“Yeah,” Quinn adds. “Just, um, stupid drama.”
I don’t push, though the lie sits heavy between us. “If it helps,” I say, “I can give them a lifetime ban.”
A tiny laugh escapes her, more air than sound, but it’s something. “Tempting.”
She tries to stand but nearly loses her balance. I’m at her side before I can think. Her hand slips into mine, and without warning, she folds into me, arms wrapping tight around my waist.
I freeze, stunned, before instinct takes over.
My arms close around her, pulling her in.
She fits too perfectly. I breathe her in, catching the faint trace of jasmine of her hair.
Her hair brushes my jaw, her weight pressing into me until my chest feels too tight.
“Can I get you some water? Something to eat?” I murmur.
She glances up through wet lashes, a wan smile tugging at her mouth. “Thank you. You’re too sweet.” She turns to Sophie. “Can we just… call it a night?”
“Yeah. Let’s get you home,” she says, already pulling out her phone, then glances at me with a gentler smile. “Thanks, Cole. For looking out for her.”
I nod, disappointment settling in. I’d hoped the night might end differently—her number, a promise, something. But this isn’t the time.
Still, as she heads for the door, I can’t help myself. “If there’s anything I can do,” I offer quietly, “just say the word. Okay?”
She pauses, meets my eyes. “Thank you… for making tonight worth it.”
Her words echo what I told her at the bar, and the fact that she remembered lodges deep in my chest. I nod slowly. “Anytime.”
We slip out the back into the cooler night, the bar’s thrum fading. A few rideshares idle at the curb, headlights cutting through the quiet street. When Sophie spots the right one, I hold the car door open for them.
Quinn slides in and glances back up at me, exhaustion etched into her face. “Thanks again for tonight.”
“Get home safe,” I manage.
“I will.” She hesitates, then adds, “I’m glad I came.”
“Me too.”
Her gaze holds mine, fragile but steady, before she looks away. “If you ever want to come back,” I add, “give the guys your name at the door. They’ll let you straight in.”
She nods, then shuts the door. I step back as the car pulls away, her perfume clinging faintly to my shirt. The night feels emptier without her, but the echo of her smile remains.
All I can do is stand there in the quiet, hoping tomorrow doesn’t break her the way tonight did. Hoping I’ll get another chance.