Free Just Say Yes by Elizabeth Hayley

confused glances, while Lauren kept her eyes trained on the brick pathway that snaked through the shopping center.
    â€œWe’re confused,” Simone said. The girls quickly zeroed in on Quinn. “So you are working on something?”
    â€œYup.” Quinn rarely had information they wanted. She was going to soak up the attention for all it was worth.
    A hand reached out and clamped down on her forearm, jerking her to a stop. “Excuse me, you hooker, but would you care to elaborate before we take turns beating the shit out of you?” Cass threatened.
    Quinn smiled at the girls, placating them before speaking a taunting “No” and starting to walk again.
    The two girls flocked around her, impeding any further movement. Quinn burst out laughing. “Okay, okay, yes, I am writing an article. It’ll be in the September issue. It’s a feature on . . . me, actually.”
    â€œOn you?” Simone asked excitedly. “What about you?”
    Quinn searched for the right words. “It’s sort of like a self-discovery piece. I’m undertaking a list of tasks that are a little beyond what I’d normally do.”
    â€œWhat does that mean exactly? Oh shit, I was kidding when I called you a hooker, but it’s true, isn’t it? You’re selling your cooch for cash,” Cass teased.
    Quinn stared at her for a minute. “You know, for someone with such a fair complexion, you have a dark and twisted soul.”
    Cass shrugged happily. “I know.”
    Quinn shook her head before continuing. “I’m not getting quite that extreme. Tim and I are starting out slow. I—”
    â€œHold on. Did you say Tim?” Cass asked.
    Shit.
“Uh, yeah.”
    â€œSince when are you hanging out with Tim?” Cass brought a finger up to her temple. It reminded Quinn of Professor Xavier from
X-Men
.
    â€œSince Lauren’s party. We got to talking about my assignment and he offered to help.” Quinn shrugged like it was only logical that she’d be spending time with a reformed drug addict who was eight years her senior.
    Cass gasped and grabbed Quinn’s arm in an intentionally dramatic fashion. “Do your parents know?” Her eyes gleamed like she’d unearthed a tabloid-worthy scandal.
    Quinn jerked her arm free as Cass’ face broke out in a huge smile. “Why would I tell them? It isn’t their business who I hang out with.”
    Simone barked out a laugh. “Since when?”
    â€œI can just see Julia’s and Peter’s faces now. Oh my God, they may almost look at you with disappointment. The horror,” Cass joked.
    Quinn rolled her eyes. She was used to jabs from the girls about her overprotective, overinvolved parents. The girls knew how they clung to her like the prized possession they considered her to be.
    â€œThey’d have no reason to be disappointed. Tim’s a great guy.” Lauren’s voice was firm and steady. Quinn knew Lauren really liked Tim. And she damn sure loved his brother. And even though Cass’ assessment held a bit of credibility, Quinn knew Lauren wasn’t going to stand by while the girls insinuated that Quinn’s parents wouldn’t think Tim was good enough for their daughter.
    â€œYou’re right. He is.”
    Lauren’s gaze flew to Quinn, but Quinn didn’t hold it, afraid of what Lauren would see there.
    â€œWait. Why have you been so quiet this whole time?” Cass narrowed her eyes at Lauren. “You
knew
already, didn’t you?”
    Lauren let her smirk answer for her.
    â€œI see how it is. Get a psychology degree and suddenly you’re the one everyone trusts with the deep shit.”
    â€œSo what have you guys been doing?” Simone asked, probably to end Cass’ tirade.
    â€œSo far, I lied to get out of work, stole a pack of gum, and sang karaoke.”
    â€œWhat a rebel,” Cass muttered.
    â€œI said we were