Page 51 of Lead Me On
“Thank you.” She folded her hands in her lap and waited for this to be over. Her ears rang as if her blood pressure was skyrocketing.
Lori didn’t give up. “Last year I was quietly drowning in front of everyone and I refused to say a word. Obviously I won’t argue with your right to take the same route. Are you drowning?”
“No.”
“Would you tell me if you were?”
“No.”
“Okay. I won’t ask any more questions.”
Mr. Jennings stalked out of his office. “I will.”
“Quinn,” Lori said sharply, but he aimed a glare in her direction before sliding it toward Jane.
“Has Chase done something to you? Is that what’s going on? Is he abusing you?”
Jane gasped in horror. “No!”
“Well, all this started that day I walked in on you two, so pardon me if I’m suspicious. Did he force himself on you, Jane? Because I’ll—”
“No, absolutely not. Chase isn’t the type to—We’re not really—It was just a hug!”
“Oh, yeah? You two are friends? You’re in the same wine-tasting club or something?”
Jane clenched her teeth and narrowed her eyes at him. “I apologize for my inappropriate behavior that morning. If I’d acted with propriety you wouldn’t be prying into my business right now, and this conversation could have been avoided.”
Lori muttered, “Snap,” and raised an eyebrow at her boyfriend. “I think she just told you to mind your own business, sweetie. Which was exactly what I was going to say.”
But Mr. Jennings wouldn’t give up. “This guy is like, six-five, and has tattoos on his neck!”
“Yowza,” Lori said, her eyes flickering in surprise. “But that still doesn’t mean anything. I doubt anyone would’ve expected Quinn Jennings to date an auto mechanic. Opposites attract.”
“No,” Jane said. “Chase and I are not dating. In fact, I just broke it off with a gentleman who—”
“Are you pregnant?” Mr. Jennings interrupted. “Is that it?”
“No!”
“Because if you are, I’ll support you in every way possible. Whatever you want to—”
“I’m not pregnant! And I am not a living, breathing episode ofJerry Springer,so whatever else you might suspect, please keep it to yourself! I have the right to use my personal time however I like, and I’m under no obligation to discuss my life with you. It’s none of your business.”
His brown eyes darkened with sudden hurt, as if they were bruising right before her eyes. “Of course it’s not,” he said. “Of course. I apologize.”
Oh, God, he looked so sad. “Mr. Jennings—”
“No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pried. Anyway, I’ve got to go check on the framers, so I’ll see you later, Lori.” He pressed a distracted kiss to his girlfriend’s cheek and headed for the door. “Jane, take as much time off as you need,” he murmured as he left.
She stared miserably after him, wondering how she could be so cruel to a man who treated her so well. Then again, that seemed to be her specialty these days.
“Don’t worry about him,” Lori said. “It doesn’t matter how much respect they have for women, men still think they need to fix things for us.”
“I’m fine, Lori. Honestly. I’ve just got a few family problems that I don’t want to discuss. Will you tell him that?”
“Sure.”
“Thank you.” Jane felt her throat burn with sorrow for the pain she’d caused Quinn Jennings.
