"Whatever it is, it looks like we have to address it right now," I said.
Anya marched the judge over to meet us. "I've heard from quite a few other players that Quinn's performance was remarkable. Too remarkable. I'm sorry, Owen, but it seems like maybe you coached her."
"And what's wrong with giving pointers to newbies?" I asked.
"It’s against the rules for sponsored players," the judge said.
Quinn yanked her arm out of mine. She grabbed the judge's phone from his hands and gave him her login and password. "There. Now you can check my play from last night. Owen's alibi happens to be standing right here." Quinn gave Anya a sharp look.
The judge scrolled through the play log and found the moment she detected the Shattering Mirror Charm. "Yes, it’s right here. And I'm to understand that you were with Mr. Redd last night at 11 p.m.?"
Anya crossed her hands over her chest. "Yes, that's right."
"Then, it is clear that Ms. Thomas discovered the move on her own and there was no direct coaching involved. Now, if you'll excuse me." The judge disappeared back into the ballroom with Anya on his heels.
"That was awful," I said. I reached for Quinn, but she stepped back.
"Kind of like this whole morning. I can't even enjoy my one success."
"You're right. It was a huge success. You should be proud."
"Really? Where was all of that an hour ago? You know, when you ignored me in the ballroom. I know I'm just a newbie, but I thought maybe we were closer than that," Quinn said.
"I know, I acted stupidly. I thought you wanted your space. I mean, with your father watching and everything that happened yesterday."
"Yesterday is exactly why I thought I could expect a little more from you," she said.
Her eyes flashed over me, and I remembered them turning to dark brown chocolate as she had melted underneath me. The memory was enough to make me feel hot again.
I cleared my throat. "Was that before or after you quit your nursing program and then agreed to go back and live with your parents? I'm sorry if I had some trouble keeping up."
"If it’s so much trouble, then why do you keep butting into my life?" Quinn asked. "It’s either you or my father telling me which way to go and I'm getting sick of it. I came here and did a great job on my own, and not only does that go unacknowledged, but I'm accused of getting my skills directly from you. No one believes I can do anything on my own." She looked towards the doors and bit her lip.
"That Evan seems to believe you did just fine on your own," I said.
"And what's with the jealousy?" Quinn asked. "Coming from a man that spent the night with a friend who clearly has the hots for you, it seems ridiculous."
"You know it’s not like that between Anya and me," I protested.
"No. I don't know that. You just expect me to believe it. Just like my father expects me to believe that what he decides is best for me. I'm sick of it! Life should not be this complicated."
She dodged around me and headed for the doors.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"To get a cab."
"Come on, let me drive you home," I said. "It’s the least I can do to make it up to you."
"Don't you have work to do?"
I shook my head. "It’s optional. I'd get paid, but I don't have to do it. And right now, the most important thing to me is driving you home safely."
She did not talk as we found the car and started towards Summerlin. I racked my brain to find a safe subject to talk about.
"So, what would you like your non-complicated life to look like?" I asked.
Quinn frowned out the window. "That's easy. All I want is a job that I like that supports me and lets me be independent."