“Sure thing.”
I turned to go, when Aggie caught my arm, turning me to face her. “You okay, Quinn?”
I put my smile firmly back into place, hiding anything she might have read in my eyes. “Just tired, Ag.”
She was still trying to read me as she finally released my arm. “You know, if you ever need to talk, I’m right here.”
I leaned up on tiptoes to kiss her cheek. Even Aggie was taller than I was. It was annoying being so small. “I know, Ag. Thanks.” I stepped back.
“Quinn, if you need to take a day off, just let me know. You look so tired, honey.”
I ignored her as I went back out into the dining room. I did need a day off. Hell, I needed a month off, but I needed the money more.
Making as much money as quickly as possible was my new goal, one that I would accomplish or die trying. Money would get me as far away from this place as humanly possible. Money was life, and for me, it would offer me a new one.
Raider wasn’t where I had left him. I wasn’t surprised to find him at the counter, flirting with a group of sheep who had come in for dinner before heading over to the bar for the night. One of them had an arm wrapped around his waist, playing with his belt with her other hand, not caring that there were families with kids seated where they could easily see her. Raider didn’t even seem to pay her any attention, though, as he flirted with th
e other two sheep.
Jealousy was an all too familiar pang in my chest, but I pushed the feeling down, annoyed with it and myself. I had learned my lesson where this guy was concerned. It had taken me years, but I had finally seen the harsh light of reality. I was done with that crush and ready to move on.
I had no other choice.
It was either let him go, or spend the rest of my life eating my heart out for a guy who fucked everything with a vagina.
Crossing toward him, I set the bags on the counter in front of him, not caring that I had just interrupted whatever the hell it was they were talking about. “Aggie said no charge,” I told him with a colder version of my normally warm smile. Then I stepped back and turned toward my section. I had drinks to refill. Food to deliver to tables. Bills to pass out and hopefully get some of these people out of there.
I hadn’t taken more than a few steps when firm fingers caught my elbow, pulling me back around.
I jerked my arm free and backed away from him, needing space from this man.
Raider frowned at my reaction to him. I hadn’t ever done that before. Normally, if he ever touched me, which had been on very rare occasions, I would usually try to make the most of the physical contact.
Not anymore.
Not ever again.
Lesson learned.
“I just wanted to say thanks.” He arranged the bags in his hands a little better, shifting in a way that was very un-Raider-like.
I shrugged. “No problem.”
“Are you and Kelli coming to the party tomorrow night?” He surprised me further by asking.
“Nope,” I assured him, popping the P as I started to turn away again.
After the disaster of the last one I had attended, if I never went to another club party, it would be too soon.
He caught my elbow yet again, those green eyes scanning oddly over my face. “Maybe you should.”
I shrugged. “I’m sure you’ll be just fine without either Kelli or I there. Have a safe drive. That rain looks dangerous.”
I walked away before he could try and stop me again, forcing myself to forget about him as I focused on work. I needed to keep my head in the game. Ignoring my customers would cost me good tips and that was something I just couldn’t afford to do right then.
The sooner I could save up enough money, the sooner I could get out of this town and away from Raider Fucking Hannigan.
Chapter 1