The Best Part of Me by Jamie Hollins Page B

or whatever shit it is you’ve got on there. It’s because she likes to garden,” Darcy stated.
    Quinn smiled at Darcy Owens. It wasn’t the first time the other woman had come to her defense since they’d sat down. She tried not to take offense at Lisbeth’s constant inquiries on what she preferred to do with her time. It was obvious that the blond beauty lived in a world all her own. And if the constant train of men who approached her was any indication, she did a lot more with her time than paint her nails.
    â€œNo offense, Quinn. I’m just trying to get to know you. I’m sure your garden is lovely.” Lisbeth gave her a small artificial smile before taking a pull of her beer.
    â€œNone taken. I’m sure your nails are lovely too.”
    The other woman blinked, trying to figure out if she’d just been insulted. Quinn found herself wondering why Erin and Darcy were friends with her.
    Nevertheless, Quinn was glad that she’d decided to come out tonight. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d gone out with friends. She’d taken a nice long shower and put on a touch of makeup. Thankfully the bruise around her eye was gone.
    Instead of letting her hair air dry like normal, she’d taken the effort to make it look nice by blow-drying it. Her yellow wrap dress looked especially cheerful this evening, its thin straps hanging daintily over her shoulders under her navy cardigan. The dress tied snugly on the side and flowed down to a couple inches above her knees.
    With the exception of Lisbeth, who was as pretentious as they came, Erin’s friends seemed really nice. They sat in the corner booth at Katie’s and were on their second round of drinks. Rory, Erin, and Quinn had met Darcy, Lisbeth, and two of Rory’s bandmates, Ian and Charlie, at the pub. For every glass of wine Quinn drank, Rory, Ian, and Charlie drank two beers. Darcy sipped on a tumbler of whiskey while Lisbeth and Erin nursed their beers.
    â€œSo Quinn, is it true that Ewan McKenna gave you a black eye?” Ian asked. The only way to describe the guy was eclectic. His long brown hair was pulled up into a man bun, and his dark-framed glasses made him look like Buddy Holly.
    â€œNo, he didn’t. It was some other guy who bumped into me, not Ewan.”
    At the mention of his name, Quinn looked over at the bar to steal a glance at the man in question. She wasn’t sure if it was the wine, but he looked exceptionally good tonight. He wore a white long-sleeved thermal shirt with three buttons down his chest. The sleeves were pushed midway up his forearms, which appeared dark against the light-colored fabric. His chest and shoulders were broad and his waist slender. The muscles in his arms were impressive, not like a body builder but like someone who hauled kegs and trays of glasses all day. His dark hair was unruly, and a few strands hung down toward his eyes. There was a dark shadow of stubble along his jawline.
    He was extremely masculine, in every sense of the word. He had a dangerous air about him, almost primitive. Her eyes ran over his body, soaking in every feature.
    When she’d first come in, she’d involuntarily sought him out. When she’d found him, he was looking in her direction with his dark soul-searching eyes. Her heart had taken a leap up into her throat. It’d lasted only for a moment before he’d turned to talk to another man behind the bar. She later found out that the other man was his cousin from Boston. The only thing the two of them had in common was that they were both extremely attractive. Other than that, Sean’s light hair and eyes were a stark contrast to Ewan’s dark…everything.
    â€œHe could bump into me anytime he wants to.”
    Quinn looked over at Lisbeth, who was staring at Ewan with a dreamy gaze.
    â€œHe'd probably rather not wait in line,” Darcy deadpanned, not looking up from her phone.
    Lisbeth