Long Slow Burn by Isabel Sharpe Read Free Book Online

forward?”
    â€œMe?” His question startled her; she laughed shortly. “I’m not interested in getting married again.”
    â€œDid I say married?”
    â€œNo, I know, I know.” She waved his comment away, wishing he’d change the subject. “Right now I’m not interested in any of it.”
    â€œHmm.” He tilted his head, eyebrow quirked suggestively. “Not in any of it?”
    Marie’s face caught fire again. What would he do if she said she was dying for sex? Probably recommend a friend. Some dumpling-shaped guy more appropriate for her. “I’m happy alone. It’s going to stay that way for a good while longer.”
    â€œOkay, then.” He emptied his martini, put the glass down, signaled to Joe. “I’m having another drink. You want one, too?”
    She felt rebuked and wasn’t sure why. “Not yet. Maybe food?”
    â€œSure. Menu, too, Joe? Thanks.”
    The couple beside Quinn got up and left. A new couple sat down, arms around each other, heads together, giggling. They were probably in their late twenties, a dozen years younger than Marie, more than fifteen younger than Quinn. Marie wanted them to be exactly that carefree and happy together for the rest of their lives, and it saddened her that the odds weren’t great.
    â€œHey.” She punched Quinn playfully. “You want to tell me why you shut down all of a sudden?”
    â€œSorry.” He turned in the chair so he was facing her. “I’m on edge tonight.”
    â€œI ’fessed up earlier. Your turn now.”
    â€œNothing really.” He shrugged. “Probably just that I’m ready for spring and spring isn’t ready for me.”
    She rolled her eyes. “Honey, it’s March. This isn’t Florida. You’ve got months yet.”
    â€œThat I knew.”
    â€œWhat else, Quinn? There’s something.”
    â€œI was just thinking.” He twisted his mouth. “That maybe we could have done some relationship-type things together.”
    Joe put down the second martini and menus—perfect timing, because Marie’s heart stopped until she realized what Quinn must have meant. “You wanted to compare notes on dating?”
    Quinn thanked Joe and handed her a menu. “Yes. Compare notes on dating. Misery loves company, right?”
    His facial muscles had loosened, but his voice still held an edge. She wished he would confide in her. Maybe a conquest had gone wrong? A woman had turned him down? Maybe two? Enough to make him lose confidence?
    She couldn’t imagine Quinn anything but confident. Especially with women.
    â€œI can’t go down that road, Quinn.” In any other difficulty she’d be first in line offering him support and a figurative shoulder, but she wouldn’t be able to stand hearing anything about him trying to date seriously.
    â€œIt’s fine.” He buried himself in his menu. “So how’s the matchmaking business going with Kim?”
    Marie slumped in defeat. When all else failed, bring out the change of subject. Okay. She’d go with that. She shouldn’t be wasting energy wishing he felt comfortable enough with her to share whatever it was. That was for another woman someday, apparently sooner rather than later.
    â€œKim is terrific.” Marie glanced at her watch. “As a matter of fact, she’s out with Troy right now.”
    â€œTroy…”
    â€œCahill. Friend of Justin.”
    â€œJustin…”
    â€œCandy’s fiancé.”
    â€œGot it.” His face cleared. “Candy and Justin, last month’s meddling.”
    â€œ Matching, not meddling.” Marie rolled her eyes. “They’re deliriously happy.”
    â€œWeren’t we all.”
    â€œOh, you cynic.” She smacked him with her menu, surprised by this dark side of him tonight, and wishing she could help with whatever had caused it—short