All It Takes

by Proby, Kristen

  “You need to fix that.”

  I stare at him. “How?”

  “Well, every person’s different, and like I said, I don’t know the whole story, so you’ll have to figure that out. Give her today to be mad, but don’t let it fester for too long. If she’s important to you, you need to get back in the ring and work for her.”

  “She’s everything,” I reply immediately. “She’s the best part of my life.”

  “Then what are you doing racing away from her?”

  I shake my head and shrug one shoulder. “Habit, I suppose.”

  “I think it’s time to make some new habits, son.”

  I can’t stand it anymore. I need to hear her voice.

  I’m at the office, and it’s been twenty-four hours since yesterday’s fiasco. I’m trying to give her space, but I need her.

  So I pick up my phone and dial her number. To my surprise, she answers on the second ring.

  “Hello.” She sounds exhausted.

  “Hey.” I sigh. “I wanted to let you know that I had all the boxes returned to your grandfather’s house today.”

  “I know, I’m here now. Thanks for doing that so quickly.”

  “You’re welcome.” I swallow hard, hating the distance in her voice. “Sienna, I’m worried about you.”

  “I’m fine.”

  But I can hear that she’s anything but fine.

  “I don’t want to lose you over this. I know that you’re hurting, and I hate myself for causing that.”

  “You’re not the only one who caused it,” she interrupts. “It’s turned into a shitty week.”

  “That might be the understatement of the century. You said yesterday that you’re done.”

  “I’m not done with us.” Her voice catches and my gut clenches. Jesus, I want to pull her into my arms and crush her to me. “I meant that I was done for the moment. That I need some time. I’m dealing with the arrest of my father and uncle, and my mom’s a mess. So Lou and I are taking care of things, while also trying to keep our own professional lives afloat.”

  “I understand. Can I come help?”

  “No, thank you.” There’s that catch again. “I need a little time, Quinn. Some space. I’m not done with us, I mean that, but the trust is bruised for me right now, even though the attorney in me understands what you did and why you did it. The woman in me needs a little time to catch up.”

  “Hurting you, deliberately hurting you, is never an option for me,” I stress. “I tried so many times to think of a way to tell you without breaking the law.”

  “I don’t think you could have,” she whispers.

  “Are you still going to Finn and London’s engagement party with me on Friday?”

  There’s a long pause.

  “I don’t know. I’m not saying that to hurt you, Quinn. I’m not built like that.”

  I know she’s not.

  “But with my family falling apart, trying to catch up at work so I can take next week off, and everything else going on right now, I just don’t think I can commit to anything. Not to mention, I’m not exactly wonderful company right now, and Finn and London’s party should be full of excitement and love.”

  “They’ll want you there,” I reply. “I will want you there, so please think about it.”

  “I will.”

  “Sienna, I miss you. I love you so much, and I’m here whenever you need me and are ready for me to prove to you that something like this will never happen again.”

  She sniffles, and it breaks me.

  “Baby, don’t cry.”

  “I love you too.” Her voice is breaking. “Thank you. I’ll talk to you soon, okay, Quinn?”

  “Okay.”

  She hangs up, and I’m left in my huge office, wondering how in the ever-loving fuck I’m going to fix this.

  And then an idea starts to form.

  I text Finn and Carter and ask them to come to my office ASAP.

  I’m not disappointed when they both appear in less than two minutes.

  “What’s up?” Carter asks as they both have a seat.

  “As you both know, yesterday was a shit show.”

  They nod in unison.

  “Have you talked to her?” Finn asks.

  “I just called her. The good news is, she hasn’t written me off, but she also isn’t ready to see me. She has a lot going on.”

  “I’m sure, what with half her family currently sitting in jail.”

  I push my hands through my hair in agitation.

  “They deserve to be there,” I retort, and Carter holds his hands up in surrender.

  “I’m not saying they don’t. But can you imagine if it were your parents in there?” We all shake our heads. “So what do you need?”

  “I need to make it right. I know that I did the right thing for my career. But I did the wrong thing for Sienna.”

  “You didn’t have a choice,” Finn argues.

  “I agree, and I hate to admit it, but I’d do it again. In a heartbeat. And because of that, I need to make sure that I never have to do it again.”

  “Agreed,” Finn says.

  “There are a few things going through my head right now,” I continue, leaning forward to rest my elbows on the desk. “First, I know we’ve talked about bringing in another partner to help shoulder some of the load.”

  Both of their eyebrows go up, and I hold my hands up.

  “Just hear me out. Sienna is more than qualified, and we wouldn’t offer her a partnership to start. But I would like to offer her a job. If she’s working for the firm, I don’t ever have to worry about keeping something from her professionally again.”

  “I understand,” Carter says. “And if she wants to join the firm, I’m okay with that, but I’d like to hold off on a partnership until after she’s been here for no less than three years.”

  “I agree,” Finn says, and I nod.

  “I can live with that. She may not want it, but I’d like to offer it to her. I hope I can talk her into it.”

  “Why wouldn’t she want it? She’d be making a hell of a lot more money than she does for the city.”

  “She likes bankers’ hours,” I reply. “She paints and cooks and dedicates time to her family, so the city job has been perfect for her.”

  “That could be tough,” Finn says. “We all work long hours.”

  “I get it, but again, I want to offer it to her. Hell, she could work part-time if she wants to. If she worked here, she could afford to.”

  “What else are you thinking over there?” Carter asks with a grin. “Besides getting in Sienna’s pants?”

  “I should deck you for that, but it’s true and there’s no time. Finn, can I use your beach house next week?”

  “Sure. I’ll have the caretaker open it up for you. Does that mean you’ll be out of the office next week?”

  “I hope so. Sienna just told me that she’s taking next week off from work, and I’m hoping we can get away to the beach. And one more thing, I’m going to propose.”

  “What?” they ask in unison, both looking shocked.

  “You heard me.”

  “I never thought I’d see the day,” Finn murmurs. “When are you going to do it?”

  “Well, that’s where you come in. Here’s my idea.”

  I’ve given her two more days, and that’s all I can give her.

  It’s late Thursday night. I haven’t been home in days because being there reminds me of Sienna and how much I miss her.

  She’s ingrained herself in my home. Hell, she is my home.

  And I’m damn tired of sleeping on the pullout couch in my office.

  I pull up to her house, relieved to see that the light in her studio is still on, and without overthinking it or changing my mind, I walk up to the door and ring the doorbell.

  She opens the door, a frown on her gorgeous, makeup-free face.

  “Quinn? What are you doing here so late?”

  “I know I said I’d give you space, but I can�
�t stay away anymore, Sienna.”

  She steps back, letting me inside, and closes the door.

  “Follow me,” she says. She leads me to her studio. She’s in her little shorts and tank, the ones that are full of paint spatters, but her hair is down around her face, and I can’t help but smile at that.

  She pads barefoot to the corner of her studio where she likes to paint, then points at the chair in the opposite corner.

  “You can sit there while I finish this.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  As long as I get to be with her, I’ll sit wherever she wants me.

  She’s finishing the big painting of the park that she started when our case began. It’s in oils, and I now know what that means for her.

  Turmoil. She paints in oils when she’s upset, and I know that I’ve added to that.

  It’s killing me.

  It only takes her about thirty minutes to finish what she’s doing. She steps back, examining the painting as she cleans her brushes, and when it’s all finished, she turns to me.

  “It’s finished.”

  “It’s stunning.” I mean that. The canvas is large, and the colors are bold. “You’re so damn talented, Si.”

  “Thank you.” She sighs and wipes a tear off her cheek. “I’ve about had enough of the tears.”

  “I hate it that you’re hurt.”

  “The tears just come now, no matter what. It’s like my tear ducts have been turned on and the faucet is broken. I can’t get it to stop.”

  I take her hand and tug her onto my lap, bury my face in her neck, and take a long, deep breath. “Jesus, I’ve missed you. I know we have a lot to work through, but I can’t bring myself to spend another night away from you. Please don’t send me away.”

  She wraps her arms around my neck and hugs me closely, presses a kiss to my temple, and then stands and takes my hand to lead me down to her bedroom.

  I slip out of my clothes while Sienna washes up in the bathroom. There won’t be any sex tonight.

  I just need her against me, in my arms.

  She walks into the bedroom, wearing only her panties and a clean tank, and we slide into bed, tangled up in each other.

  There are a million things we need to talk about. Questions that need answers. But for tonight, I just want to hold her, to feel her against me, to know that we’re going to come out the other side of this whole.

  “I love you,” I whisper. Her arm tightens around my stomach and she loops her leg over mine, hugging me with her whole body.

  “I love you too. Is it still okay if I come to the party with you tomorrow night?”

  I smile in the darkness.

  “Sweetheart, you can do whatever you want.”

  “I’d like to come.”

  “Why the change of heart?”

  “I need some happiness in my life right now,” she admits. “And I really like Finn and London. I’m happy for them.”

  “They’ll love having you there, and I’ll be the luckiest man in the place.”

  “We have some things to talk about,” she reminds me. “But not tonight.”

  “No.” I kiss her head and feel her whole body let go of the tension she’s been holding onto for the past four days. “Not tonight. Just sleep, love.”

  “I think Louise and I are going to go get pedicures in the morning,” she says. Her voice is fading with slumber, but I’m happy to lie here and listen to her.

  I’ve missed her more than I ever thought possible.

  “That’ll be fun.”

  “Mm. She’s nervous about the party, so I want to be there for her too.” She presses a sweet kiss to my shoulder. “And you. I’ve missed you too. I’m just stubborn.”

  “No.” I smile into the darkness. “Not Sienna Hendricks.”

  “There’s no need to be a smart-ass.”

  Chapter Twenty

  ~Sienna~

  “Oh, we needed this,” Louise says with a moan as the pedicurist scrubs the bottom of her feet. “They’ve been killing me, with all the walking I’ve been doing.”

  “That’s one thing about being an event planner,” I reply with a smile. “You’ll be on your feet a lot.”

  “I need to get into better shape.”

  “Well, I’m proud of both my daughters,” Mom says, watching us with misty eyes. She’s been misty-eyed all week, just like me.

  But I’m feeling so much better today. I haven’t told them that Quinn came to stay with me last night, and I don’t think I will.

  I’m going to keep that just for me.

  I hadn’t been able to paint until last night either, and finishing the piece I started a month ago was important for me to be able to move forward. And Quinn showing up? Well, that was exactly the balm I needed to soothe me.

  “Thanks again for helping out tonight, Mom,” Louise says. “It’ll be awesome to have you there; if nothing else, you can give me moral support. I know it’s just an engagement party, not the actual wedding, but London is famous. There will be celebrities there, and this could get me some amazing contacts. In fact, London’s already hired me to do the wedding.”

  “Oh my God.” I reach over for Lou’s hand. “I’m so proud of you. That’s amazing. You’re going to knock it out of the park.”

  “It helps that London isn’t a bridezilla.”

  “What time is Quinn picking you up?” Mom asks.

  “He’s coming over at five,” I reply and take a deep breath. Even though I saw him last night, and it felt wonderful, it doesn’t mean that we don’t need to have a pretty heavy conversation.

  He was gone when I woke up this morning. I was sad that he didn’t wake me to say good-bye. Maybe he thought it was for the best.

  I’m excited to see him today, and to apologize. I owe him that.

  “That’s early,” Lou says with a frown. “The party doesn’t start until seven.”

  “We’re going to talk.” I shrug a shoulder. “We have some things to work through before we can move forward.”

  “Don’t punish him anymore,” Louise says.

  “I’m not punishing him.”

  “Aren’t you?” Mom asks. “You’ve talked with your father more than you’ve spoken with Quinn, and Quinn didn’t do anything illegal.”

  “My father is my father, and he’s in pretty deep trouble. I kind of had to talk to him.”

  “No, you didn’t,” Mom replies. “But you’re a good person, Sienna.”

  “Let’s just enjoy this pedicure and think about tonight,” I suggest, wanting to change the subject. “What’s for dinner, Lou?”

  “We decided to do a buffet for this event, and a sit-down for the wedding.” Louise goes into great detail, telling us all about the meal options tonight, how London insisted on serving Cristal for the toasts, and all the small details.

  “I’m excited,” Mom says. “It’s going to be beautiful.”

  Stop punishing him.

  Is that what I’ve been doing? If so, it wasn’t intentional. I needed some space to handle all the shit thrown at me this week.

  I check the time. 4:55.

  He’ll be here any minute.

  I bought a new green dress for this party. It complements my hair, and it fits my body well, with spaghetti straps and a long hemline with a slit up to my thigh. And, of course, I’m wearing the Louboutins that Quinn bought me.

  I’m fastening my earrings when Quinn rings the bell. I open the door, and his jaw drops as his eyes travel from the top of my head all the way to the tips of my toes.

  “Fuck.”

  “Not exactly what I was going for.” His lips twitch as his eyes land on mine and he holds out a bouquet of fragrant flowers.

  “For you.”

  “Thank you.” I fuss over the blooms, burying my nose in them as I carry them to the kitchen for a vase. “These are beautiful.”

  “You’re beautiful.”

  “Thank you,” I repeat. I set the flowers on my dining table and turn to the sexiest man I know,
who’s decked out in a tux that fits him like a glove. “You look fantastic.”

  “It’s the monkey suit.”

  “No, it’s the man in it.”

  His eyes flare with lust and his hands curl into fists, but he doesn’t come to me. Not yet.

  “We need to talk,” he begins and leans his hip on the countertop.

  “I know.”

  “First of all, thank you for last night. We both needed it.”

  “We did.” I cross my arms over my chest, but then worry that I’ll wrinkle the dress, so I drop them. “I should have waited to put this on until after our talk.”

  “Are you uncomfortable?”

  “I think I’d be uncomfortable no matter what I’m wearing.”

  “I don’t want that,” he says, shaking his head. His dark hair is teased back from his face, and he used some gel to keep it in place. “I don’t ever want you to feel uncomfortable.”

  “Well, hopefully it won’t last long. Quinn, I owe you an apology.”

  “No—”

  “Let me finish. I do owe you an apology. You were doing what you had to for your client, and for the law. I completely understand that. Frankly, I realize that I’ve been punishing you for something that I would have done myself.”

  “Sienna.”

  “I’m very sorry.” My chin wobbles, which only pisses me off. “I wasn’t going to cry when we did this.” I clear my throat. “I’m not usually a crier.”

  “It’s been a rough week,” he says, and I really look at him. He looks tired.

  “Yeah, it has. How are you?”

  “Getting better by the minute.” He flashes me that smile, the cocky one that I love so much, and my stomach loosens just a bit. “How is your mom?”

  “She’s okay. Confused. She’s been beating herself up because she doesn’t know how she missed what was happening under her own roof.”

  “It’s not her fault.”

  “I know, and she knows it too, but it’s tough. They’ve been married for almost forty years. I mean, I don’t know what I would do if I were in her shoes.”

  “Is she sticking up for him?”

  “No, but she hasn’t left him either.”

  “Would you?”

  “I’d like to say yes, but like I said, I don’t know what I would do. They have forty years and two children between them. That would be hard to walk away from.”