Free CALLEN (Second Chance Novels Book 3) by Kemmie Michaels Page B

 
    While her stunned silence hangs between us, I debate giving her more time to think or rescinding the offer. The last thing I want to do is make her uncomfortable. Thankfully she speaks up in a voice demonstrating the smile I can't see over the phone.  
    "That sounds great," she says, obviously smiling still.
    "Can I pick you up in a half hour?"
    "I'll be ready," she says in a sort of feminine tone before we say our sentiments of see you soon .
    I need to maintain focus on tonight alone, and attempt not to tip the scale between Quinn and my devotion to Evelyn.
    Our average-people date is about relaxation and bringing Quinn closer, which makes me realize another possible truth: the scale may not need to tip at all. If I bring Quinn closer, and draw Evvie nearer by finally avenging her, the two can bring me balance in the center. By the time Evvie can rest, Quinn may be standing at the fulcrum with me.  
    Part of me still longs for Evvie to be alive and standing in Quinn's place. I never would have been at the jail to meet Quinn in the first place if I had been able to protect Evvie. Neither of them would ever have been hurt. Quinn's potential to be scarred by her place in my life remains, and another form of guilt adds the weight. I could be equally lethal to Quinn, whether in body or heart.
    Focus , damn it.  
    In order to hold that focus which eludes me, I bring my training to my mind. I employ a simple meditation exercise and a deliberate compartmentalization of the many parts of myself. The only piece of me I keep present for tonight is the man slowly stepping away from the soldier inside.  
    A short drive later, I walk to Quinn's door and knock. When she answers, all thoughts leave me. She is the picture of class and relaxation combined. Riding boots, form-perfect denim, a sweater that hugs her curves to perfection, and a simple scarf all come together in a look that is pure Quinn.  
    Her work attire and her formal dresses speak to her ability to blend in any situation, but this. I can feel in my gut the vision before me is the truest version of her I've seen. She's beautiful, and she's smiling for me.  
    I notice a man's ring on her thumb, and curiosity now populates my gut, as does the jealousy I try not to feel. No matter as to the reason, the token must be important to her, and therefor deserves my respect at the very least.
    "You look beautiful," I smile as I step in to kiss her. She not only accepts my lips against hers, but deepens our kiss in such a natural way. A moment of feeling her tongue warm against mine is followed by two intimate, simple presses of our lips. My focus is no longer difficult.  
    I take her hand after she slings a canvas purse across her body. The simplicity of our kiss, and even the basic fabric of her purse set the tone of the evening perfectly. My gut lightens another degree.  
    We have twenty minutes in the car, most of which are spent in comfortable silence. I keep her hand in mine all the way to the bar stools.
    Ledger instantly smiles warmly from behind the bar and reaches to shake her hand. After an introduction to Mason, I'm proud of his restraint as he simply shakes her hand and welcomes her. He can't help himself, though when she turns from him to meet Cam. His stupid face went slack in shock that I could have a woman like Quinn with me.
    I shake my head at him and join Quinn at the bar. Sofia comes in shortly after, as does another bartender, Jackson. The entire evening is setting up exactly how I hoped it would.  
    "It's so nice to meet you," Sofia smiles warmly. Her hair and outfit indicate she came straight from her police precinct, and I nearly roll my eyes at Mason for the love-sick sap he becomes every time Sofia is around. He walks behind Sofia to kiss her ear before he pulls a few pins from the tight bun at the base of Sofia's head. Gently he softens her hair with a few strokes of his fingers before he pockets the pins.  
    The funniest part of this whole scene