My phone rings, pulling me out of the thoughts of the past. Glancing at the car’s screen, I smile at the name. I press the button on the steering wheel to answer the call.
“Hey, Quinn,” I say, still smiling. “You’re up early.”
My best friend’s voice comes through the car’s speaker. “Yeah well, I never actually went to sleep,” she says. “Plus, I knew you’d be heading into work about this time.”
I roll my eyes. “What’s got you staying up all night? Or should I say who?”
“Ha ha,” Quinn says sarcastically. “You’re hilarious. You know better than that. I wish there was a man involved.”
I laugh. “What is it then?”
“Just work,” she says, dismissively. “I really just called to see how you guys are doing. I miss you and Lee.”
Something in her tone is more melancholy than usual, even for a Quinn who hasn’t slept all night. “He misses you too. And so do I. But we’re good,” I say. “Is everything okay?”
There’s a slight pause before Quinn speaks again, her voice noticeably brighter. “Yeah,” she says. “Everything’s fine. I just miss you guys.”
“So come for a visit,” I say. “I’ve got a spare room. Or I could get you a deal at the Jester. Even if it’s just for a weekend.”
“Soon,” Quinn promises. “I just have a lot going on at work right now. But we’ll make it happen.”
I let it go. The older we’ve gotten, the more difficult it’s gotten to make time for one another, even though she only lives a few hours away. I know that’s part of being an adult, but it doesn’t make me like it any better.
“How’s work?” I ask, changing the subject.
“It’s good,” she says. “Busy, but things are good.” After a pause in which I expect her to elaborate, she says, “What about you? How’s that hunky boss of yours? You too banging yet, or what?”
I burst out laughing even as my face heats in embarrassment. I’m stopped at one of the few traffic lights in town and I’m happy my car windows aren’t open.
“Shut up!” I manage through my laughter. “You know it’s not like that.”
“I do know,” she says. “What I don’t know is why. He’s hot. You’re hot. You’re both single. And I know you want him.”
My face feels lobster-red at this point. “Quinn, stop,” I say. “Finn is a friend. One of my best friends aside from you. And he’s my boss. That’s kind of a no-no.”
Quinn let out a dramatic sigh. “You and your rules. If my boss looked like yours, I’d be all over him.”
“Then I guess it’s lucky for you that your boss is old enough to be your grandpa, huh?”
“Say what you will, but Stan was hot back in his day,” Quinn said. “I’ve seen the photos. Meow.”
I laugh again, glad to steer the topic away from Finn and my lack of a sex life. Not that the two are at all related. They aren’t. Distracted, it takes me a moment to realize Quinn is waiting for me to speak. Did she ask me something?
“What?” I say. “Sorry, driving.” I make the turn onto the long, winding road leading onto the Jester’s property.
“I said, when is the last time you went somewhere that wasn’t work or Liam-related?”
I sigh, knowing where this is going. “Quinn—”
“Nope,” she cuts me off. “Don’t ‘Quinn’ me. I know what you’re going to say and it’s just another excuse. You need to get back out there, Hannah. You’re 30, not 80. And even if you were 80, I’d tell you the same thing. You still have a pulse and you deserve some happiness.”
“I’m happy, damn it,” I say, sounding anything but.
“I know you love your life,” she says. “You’ve got a job you love, a wonderful little boy and the most amazing best friend you could possibly ask for.”
“All true,” I agree, pulling into my designated parking spot 50 yards behind the main house.
“But you weren’t made to be alone, Hannah. None of us were.”
“Okay,” I say. “So, where’s your Mister Right, huh? I don’t see you settled down and married.”
“The difference is I’m still looking,” Quinn says. “Trust me. If I find the right guy, I’ll lock him down and have 8 babies with him before he knows what hit him.”
We both laugh. “Bullshit,” I say. “After that first labor, you’ll be rethinking those 8 kids.”
Quinn chuckles before her voice turns more serious again. “Hannah, please,” she says. “Just tell me you’ll get back out there. Try and find someone?”
“Where’s all this coming from?” I ask. “Why the sudden interest in my love life?”
“It’s not sudden,” she says, her voice defensive. “Besides, can’t a girl just want to see her best friend happy?”
“I am happy, Quinn,” I say ignoring the little voice in my head whispering doubts. “I promise.”
Quinn sighs, then yawns. “If you say so,” she says. “Just think about it.”
“I will,” I say. “Get some sleep. Love you.”
“Love you,” she says. “Bye.”
I press the button to end the call, but don’t get out of my car just yet. I think back over the conversation, considering Quinn’s words. I’m happy, I tell myself again. The little voice whispers again, questioning my insistence. Okay, if not happy, I’m at least content. I like my life the way it is. Don’t
