Page 126 of Open To Negotiation

I was suspicious of his change of topic.

“Yeah… I have the movers on standby, I should be able to get them there in the morning. I’ll stay at a hotel until I leave.”

“Stay with me.”

“A hotel is just fine.” I didn’t trust that he wasn’t trying to pull something.

“Come on, I have an extra guest room. It’s a hell of a lot nicer than a hotel.” I chewed on my lip for a minute.

“Is he coming back to his apartment?” I assumed the answer would be no, that he would be going back to London.

“No, he’s at the house.” I blinked a few times, surprised, both that he was going to be in Calgary and at the house. I wasn't sure if his apartment had been rented out yet and Ash didn't give me the information I wanted. It would be nicer to stay with Ash, I just didn't like the idea of potentially being next door to him. But I wouldn’t be there long. “Q, don’t argue. I need to get back in there and let the guys know I got you before they panic.” I let out a sigh. The reminder that he was at Theo’s dad’s service was the one thing that could force my hand.

“Fine.”

“I’ll be by your place tomorrow to pick you up.”

“You don’t have—”

He hung up before I even finished my objection.

37

Quinn

“Where are you?” Asher asked as I answered the phone. True to his word, Asher had gotten to my place in the late afternoon yesterday as the last of my stuff was cleared out. He drove me to his apartment where Noah was already waiting with food. Will, Oli and Jaxson weren’t far behind and we spent the night catching up and watching a movie.

They knew what they were doing, and I knew what they were doing. But damn it, it was working.

I hadn’t rebooked my flights yet and my mom wasn’t pushing it. It was hard because as I spent time with them, I realized it wasn’t just Theo that I missed. I was annoyed with myself for pushing them away. They were being extra careful not to mention him around me and suddenly leaving didn’t feel as urgent.

“On your couch.”

Well, the couch was actually eating me.

I’d woken up and moved down here, comfortable in my sweatpants with my hair piled on my head as I tried to read a book. It wasn’t having the same escapist effect that it normally did.

I was grateful that Asher’s apartment was different from Theo’s despite it being the only other penthouse in this building.

It had two floors like Theo’s but that was where the similarities stopped. It had warm wood floors and cabinets, cozy furniture that was rounded and soft. It was a great place to hide from the world. Although, it had no personal touches and felt more like a hotel than a home. When I mentioned that to Asher he looked around, shrugged and said it didn’t bother him.

“Can you come down to the office?”

“Why?” I asked as I pulled myself out of the leather. One day without work to do or things to pack and I was already bored so I knew I was going to go see him, but I was still suspicious.

“I have a business proposition for you,” he said casually. I narrowed my eyes as I moved to the guest bedroom. It was really more of a suite, there was a bathroom, sitting area and a balcony.

Asher never did anything casually. “What kind of business proposition?” I pulled my hair out of my bun with a wince. Thankfully my curls were still intact and loose, it was a little dirty but nothing a little dry shampoo couldn’t fix. “Is he there?”

“I don’t have any meetings left today so I’ll see you when you get here.” He hung up without answering my question, something I’d come to learn was very common for Asher.

The man never said goodbye.

Thirty minutes later I walked into the Knight Enterprise offices to find Shelly standing near the front reception desk. Her face lit up as she saw me and pulled me into a big hug.

“Hey hun,” she said in her kind voice. I returned the hug and then pulled back.

“Do you know what I'm doing here?”