Page 23 of Open To Negotiation

“Why?” I crossed my arms over my chest.

“Dear Lord, woman, you can’t make anything easy.” He ran his hands through his hair as I fought a smile. “So I can get your address, so I can send you a car.”

“You just asked for my number, not my address.”

He let out a sigh and looked at the ceiling for a moment before looking back at me. “Quinn, come on.”

This time I did laugh at him. “I can drive myself. I’m an excellent driver, never even had a speeding ticket.”

“You aren’t driving yourself. I want you to have fun and relax and drink as little or as much as you want. Getting you a car ensures you’re safe whatever you decide. Please.” His voice dropped at the end.

That was what did me in, it was soft, his eyes pleading. I didn’t even think it was a ploy to get my number. He seemed genuine, he truly didn’t want me to drive myself.

“Fine, send me a car. But I will pay for it.” He smirked but didn’t say anything. “Did you hear me, Money Bags?” He grunted in reply as I stood there staring at him. I hoped that was a yes.

I hadn’t bothered to look him up but he obviously had money. I had no interest in knowing because I didn’t care. He pulled out his phone, I entered my number and then passed it back to him. He gave me a relieved smile when my phone started ringing.

“Did you think I was giving you a fake number?” He pressed the down button on the elevator and it pinged right away.

“I wouldn’t put it past you,” he said as he stepped inside. “See you tonight, Love.”

“Wait! Where are we going?”

He didn’t answer. I watched as the doors closed and then turned and went back to my desk.

“All good?” James asked as I sat back down.

“Yep.” I pulled my phone out and smiled at the waiting message.

Unknown

It’s Theo, in case you’re in the habit of giving your number out to people often.

Unknown

Give me your address, I will have a car at your place by 8:00.

I bit down my smile as I fired my address back, asked again where we were going and entered him into my contacts as I waited for a reply.

Theodore Knight

See you tonight, beautiful.

8

Quinn

“Are you home?” I asked Aubrey the second she picked up.

“I just stepped through the door, why?”

I pulled the phone away, hit the facetime button and set it on my dresser as her face popped up on my screen.

“What are you doing?” she asked, leaning against the counter in her kitchen. She was still in her scrubs having just gotten home from work. She knew that seeing me dressed on a Friday night was a rare sight.

But I didn’t have time for pleasantries, it was seven forty-five and I’d been freaking out for too long. At least I had chugged a coffee when I got home and was feeling pretty energized now.

“Does this look okay?” I asked as I moved far enough back so she could see my outfit.