Uncompromising (Age Gap, gxg)

Chapter 30

"Wait a minute," Quinn leaned forward on her elbows as she, Harlow and I sat at the outdoor table by the pool. "So, the girl that you banged on the way back from FSU is Hollie's roomie? And she was here for Halloween, beat up Elliot, and now she is coming back for Thanksgiving break?" Each of us had our laptop open to work, but we were all in our bathing suits while we worked. Between us was a chilled bottle of white wine, an ice bucket, a small bottle of Wolcott bourbon and a charcuterie board with some assorted crackers, cheeses and summer sausages. I had my two best friends with me, and I felt so much better because of it.

"Yep," I said, while popping the P. "Gracie and Jashanna had found out about her, and figured out that she was the roommate. They convinced Hollie to invite her to the Halloween party, and the rest is history."

"It was a good thing they did that," Harlow pointed out. "She was the only one downstairs when Elliot broke in, and who knows what might have happened if she hadn't been there."

I shuddered at the thought, knowing very well what my ex would have probably done to me. He had been prepared to violate me in my own bed, all because I had the gall to divorce him. How had he changed so much since he was a teen? Even if I'd never married him, he had once been a great friend, and virtually a brother to me after Elizabeth moved me into her house. What would possess him to do that to someone he should have at least some feelings for? How could he want to hang on to a marriage that he had checked out of well over a decade ago? I took a quick sip of the wine, hoping to wash away the sour taste in my mouth at that thought.

"I owe her a lot." I looked between the two of them as I took a breath. "You don't think I'm crazy, right? She's 22, and I'm going to ask her to move into the basement because I'm making her an intern." I paused for a moment, trying not to freak out. "Shit, now I think I'm crazy! What the hell am I doing?"

"Stop!" Harlow said as she reached over to grab my hands, which were now flailing about. "You're not crazy, okay? Hell, Elliot sucked, and we all know it. All of your daughters know it too. If this girl is that great, and she saved you from that asshole, and your daughters already like her, then you should absolutely give it a shot. It may not be a typical relationship, but that isn't a bad thing. Mine is pretty typical and I'm miserable. I think what you're doing is going to make you happy and smile a lot more than you have been. The intern thing is funny, but as long as you're not doing anything that gives her advantages over other workers, then you should be fine. Hell, just let me do her reviews, and nobody will complain. Clayton and Tori are getting married and lots of our other employees are dating each other too, so you shouldn't have any complaints."

I let out a sigh of relief. "Okay, thanks. I guess I just expected to end up with someone older and already in a career, but she just captivated me from the first time I saw her. Maybe I'm not crazy, she just makes me feel that way about her."

"I agree. You're not crazy, Demi. I mean, maybe all of us are, just a little. But your heart knows what it wants, or at least what's between your legs knows." Quinn couldn't help but snicker as she added the last part. I pulled my hand out from Harlow's grasp and smacked her arm. They were both being gentle with me, since the bruising on my back and neck were in plain sight while I wore the bathing suit, and I knew that Elliot would be a dead man if he ever showed up here with the two of them around.

"I can't believe you said that!" Not that she was wrong. The desire that built up in me at just the memory of Zee in my bed made a longing throb build up, and I knew I'd be using my toys tonight. "Okay, there may be a little truth to that though. Seriously, she's like nobody I've ever been with."

"Then go for it," Harlow said softly. "I can't think of anyone that deserves happiness more than you do."

Quinn sighed heavily. "It's going to break some hearts though. I had a guy all lined up for you too. He's a friend of one of the guys I've been seeing, and he said he knew you from a work conference and would love a date."