Long Slow Burn. Isabel Sharpe

six or seven this week? Three the most you could get in one night?”

      He shook his head. “You are too much.”

      No, she wasn’t enough. She patted his shoulder. “Sorry. You know I love to tease you about your … expertise.”

      “I did know that.” He hunched his shoulders, let them drop. “It’s actually been a while.”

      “Really?” She wasn’t sure what to do with his serious reaction. Usually he joked right along with her. “How come?”

      “The chase is losing its appeal.”

      Marie frowned at his profile. She’d never seen him like this, defenses nearly breachable. “Why do you think that is?”

      “Primarily because of what I was catching.”

      “Germs? Viruses? STDs? What?”

      He chuckled. “That’s why I love you, Marie. You are smart, funny, compassionate and truly disgusting.”

      “Thank you, dear.” She felt a blush rising and was mortified, which made her blush hotter. Men of his ilk should not be allowed to say “I love you” unless they meant it. “Go on about leaving the chase. I really do want to hear why you think it’s not satisfying anymore.”

      “Well.” He finished a sip, put his glass down, smoothed the edges of the napkin under it. “I’m thinking it might be time for a deeper connection. One that’s longer lasting. Maybe a rela—”

      “Uh-oh.”

      “A rela-a—” He clutched at his throat, made a horrible choking noise. “Rela-a-a—”

      “—tionship?”

      “Thank you.” He mopped at his brow. “One of those.”

      She rolled her eyes and laughed at his act, feeling sick underneath. She shouldn’t be making this about her, but if Quinn got a girlfriend, she could lose him, would probably lose him. She’d have to face how much he’d come to mean to her. And why she was no longer putting any serious thought or effort into matching him up with Darcy. “Congratulations, Quinn. This is a great step forward.”

      “Thanks.” He moved restlessly in the chair. “So when do you take your great step forward?”

      “Me?” His question startled her; she laughed shortly. “I’m not interested in getting married again.”

      “Did I say married?”

      “No, 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.”

      “Hmm.” 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.”

      “Okay, 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?”

      “Sure. 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.

      “Hey.” She punched Quinn playfully. “You want to tell me why you shut down all of a sudden?”

      “Sorry.” He turned in the chair so he was facing her. “I’m on edge tonight.”

      “I ‘fessed up earlier. Your turn now.”

      “Nothing 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.”

      “That I knew.”

      “What else, Quinn? There’s something.”

      “I 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.

      “I 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.

      “It’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.

      “Kim is terrific.” Marie glanced at her watch. “As a matter of fact, she’s out with Troy right now.”

      “Troy …”

      “Cahill. Friend of Justin.”

      “Justin …”

      “Candy’s fiancé.”

      “Got it.” His face cleared. “Candy and Justin, last month’s meddling.”

      “Matching, not meddling.” Marie rolled her eyes. “They’re deliriously happy.”

      “Weren’t we all.”

      “Oh, 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 of going back in time and preventing him from marrying The CheaterBeast. “We had to go through what we went through for some reason. The trick is to figure it out and then work up the courage to move on.”

      “Here’s to getting there.” He lifted his glass.

      “However long it takes.” She hoisted hers; they both drank.

      “You think Kim and Troy are a good match?”

      Marie frowned. “I’m not sure. Kim is beautiful and very talented, but shy and a little down on herself. Troy is a very good-looking, well-put-together, wealthy man, and I think she’s a little intimidated. I’m hoping she gives herself a chance to shine. She has no idea how sexy she is.”

      “Hmm.” Quinn smirked at his drink. “That reminds me of someone.”

      “Yeah? Who?”

      He twisted to look at her, then for some reason started laughing.

      “What is so funny?”

      “Never mind, you wouldn’t get it. Just tell me, Marie. What advice would you give Kim about this problem?”

      “Why?”

      “I want to pass on your wisdom.” He dug out his