Page 163 of The Broken Keys

I find my chair and sit. “Yes, just a little dizzy. After effects from my accident.”

“Make sense.” Ella glances at Quinn. “I’ll let you two get back to your conversation.”

“I’ll only keep her for a few more minutes.” Quinn returns to her seat. “Promise.”

Ella excuses herself. I bury my head in my hands and rub my temples.

Quinn stares at the door for a brief moment before bringing her attention back to me. “You sure you’re okay?”

“I will be. Sometimes I get these splitting headaches.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“Yeah, let me skip Pilates.”

She laughs. “Done. Anything else?”

“If you’re serious, there is something.” I take a sip of coffee that’s gone cold. “Would you help me remember what you can?”

“You know I will. Just tell me what you want to know.”

“Do you have time to walk to the coffee shop? We can talk on our way.”

“I never say no to a latte. You know that.” She grimaces. “Sorry. You don’t know that.”

“Please don’t treat me like I’m broken. I’m not. I just need someone who will be honest with me.”

“Let’s go get our drinks.” She gets to her feet and flashes me a mischievous grin. “You’re buying.”

“Fair.” I grab my purse and follow her to the door. I sweep my gaze around the room and release a heavy sigh.

“Something wrong, Livianna?”

“No, I just feel like I’m forgetting something.”

She pats me on the back. “You are.”

“What?”

“The last five years of your life.”

I huff and roll my eyes. “I like you, Quinn. You tell it how it is.”

“That’s one of the reasons you trust me.”

“That sounds like me.”

“Let me get my jacket from my office.” She gestures toward the hallway.

We leave, and I wait for her in the entryway of Crowne Ventures International US headquarters. I wrap my arms around my waist and take in the area.

The longer I stand here, the more tense I get. Heat bubbles up in my chest.

What is wrong with me?

“Livianna?” Jaxon’s voice behind me startles me.

I jump a little and turn his way. My stomach twists and not in a good way.