Quinn felt his heartstrings tug, especially seeing the sheen on her eyes. Fuck, he had to get ahold of himself or he’d convince himself that she didn’t deserve to be dumped by the guy, who’d probably figured out that she was just marrying him for his money and decided to get back at her.
The guy was still a total jerk for his actions. Confronting her and breaking it off would be the appropriate thing to do.
“How did he cancel your credit card?” Austin asked.
“It was a joint card,” she said hesitantly.
Quinn hadn’t been surprised to hear that. Of course she’d be living off the guy’s money.
Their lunch arrived, and conversation slowed. Quinn could tell April enjoyed her lunch. He knew she would. She’d always loved seafood, especially shellfish. Once when they’d been going out together, he’d splurged, taking a hit on his grocery bill that week so he could order her lobster bisque when he took her out for dinner on her birthday.
She’d been very thankful. He still remembered the deep, passionate kiss she’d given him when they’d gone back to his place that evening. It hadn’t gone any further than that. She’d been a virgin when they were dating, and he’d respected her choice to keep her innocence until she was married, or at least knew she’d found the one.
His heart clenched. He’d been so fucking convinced he was the one. But that was before he’d realized that money meant more to her than love. Because, damn it, he’d been sure she was falling in love with him just as much as he’d been falling for her.
He watched as her cute little tongue glided over her lip to collect a drop of sauce.
Fuck, he’d love to pull her into his arms and drive his tongue deep between those soft, pouty lips. To feel her body tightly against his. To hear her beg him to fuck her.
Goddamn. Even though he knew how shallow she was, he still want
ed her. With a deep desperation that scarred his soul.
She put down her fork and raised her gaze. Then froze when she saw how he was looking at her.
Fuck, he didn’t want her knowing how she affected him. She’d be sure to find a way to take advantage of the situation.
She started to twirl her ring again.
“So if this guy treated you so badly, why are you still wearing his ring?” Quinn asked.
Her fingers jerked from the diamond. “Oh, I … shouldn’t be.” She slipped the ring off and stared at it with an uncertain expression.
“What are you going to do with it?” Quinn asked. Probably sell it.
“I could give it to you to help pay what I owe you.”
Annoyance surged through him.
“I told you to forget that.”
He certainly didn’t want the fucking ring another man had given her.
“You should return it to him,” Austin suggested. “Not because he deserves that consideration but to give you closure.”
She nodded. “I know. You’re right.” She sat back in her chair, her brow furrowing. “The only thing is, I don’t want to see him again, so I’m not sure how to return it. The mail doesn’t seem safe enough for such an expensive thing.”
“No problem,” Quinn said, not letting her get away with keeping the ring based on a technical issue. “The hotel can arrange that for you. I’ll go with you and make sure of it.” He held out his hand. “Why not give it to me for safekeeping?”
She reluctantly dropped it into his hand, and he slipped it in his breast pocket.
The waitress asked them if they wanted dessert, and when they declined, she brought the bill for their approval. Austin signed it, then turned to April.
“What are your plans now, April? Do you need a ride to the airport?”
She drew in a deep breath. “Thank you, but I don’t have an airline ticket. I flew here on Maurice’s private jet.”
Quinn’s eyes narrowed. Maurice Dubois. So she’d actually been going to marry the man she’d left him for in college.