I set down my coffee cup and gave Quinn a calm look. Instead of answering, I asked, “So, why isn’t your mom here on such an important day?”

Quinn looked like she’d been waiting for me to bring it up. She smirked and said, “My mom’s out shopping with someone.”

I couldn’t help but wonder if Sally was out bonding with Tracy, getting closer as future in-laws. Then I said, “Oh, right, you got shot down earlier.”

Quinn’s face froze for a moment, then she shot back with a sneer, “That guy’s just unlucky he missed out on me. It’s not my loss–he’s the one who’s not blessed enough.”

I warned, “He’s someone I brought in, so don’t even think about making a move on him.” I knew Quinn had this nasty habit of chasing after handsome guys, only to dump them without a second thought when she got bored.

Ryan was easy on the eyes, and he was strapped for cash. Now that Quinn had set her sights on him, I was worried he’d end up as her next toy.

Quinn stretched out her pale fingers, admiring her fresh manicure, wearing that smirk like she’d already won.

She said, “Tell me not to do something and I’ll do it just to mess with you. Wanna bet? I say in three days he’ll be riding shotgun in my car.”

I shot her a look of disdain and said, “Don’t ruin him.”

Quinn said, “Victoria, don’t pretend to be some saint. You’re stopping a guy from striking it rich, you know that? It’s not like I’d let him hang around for free. Just a little pocket change from me would keep him fed for years.”

After saying that, she got up, walked to the door, and turned back to me. She added, “My mom and Tracy are getting pretty close these days. There’s no chance for you and Jared to patch things up.” With that, she strutted out.

I’d already seen it coming, so I wasn’t surprised.

Half an hour later, Jared suddenly barged into my break room. His eyes were red from drinking. As soon as he saw me, he slumped down and started moving toward me.

I immediately jumped up and dodged to the armchair nearby.

Jared collapsed onto the sofa, giving me a long, lingering look.

“Don’t start your drunken nonsense here,” I warned him coldly, seeing that affectionate look in his eyes.

Jared just let out a self-mocking laugh and said, “Victoria, do you remember five years ago, when I lost a bunch of money on that investment? You held me, and we cried together.”

I cut him off, “I don’t remember.”

Jared looked dazed, and the urge to talk just faded away. He shut his eyes, like he’d already drifted off to sleep.

I started to leave, but Jared suddenly reached out and hauled me to him. I stumbled into his chest; in the next instant, he had me pinned beneath him on the long sofa.

“Victoria, you look beautiful today,” Jared murmured, gazing intently at my face, his fingers tracing a line along my cheek.

“Jared, if you try anything else, I really will call for someone,” I warned, my voice sharp with anger.

Jared thought I’d be swept away by the moment, but I shut him down cold–might as well have slapped him.

Disappointment flooded his face and pooled in his eyes.

He froze for a second, then sat up, and I was finally able to get away.

Just then, Ryan pushed the door open and walked in, a plate of fruit in his hands. He stopped in his tracks, surprised to see me sprawled on the sofa.

I turned beet red with embarrassment and hurried out, barely daring to meet his eyes.

Ryan hurried after me and asked, “What’s wrong?”

I smoothed out my dress and said, “It’s nothing. We still have to set up ten tables tonight, so I might need your help. If you’re tired, go get some rest now.”

“No, I’m good,” Ryan said immediately.

Just then, an old man rushed over to Ryan, looking worried. He said, “Ryan, I finished moving those chairs for you. Anything else you need help with?”

Ryan said, “Silas, Ms. Murphy is here.”

That was when I realized this old man was Silas.

Silas was sweating and looked a bit disheveled. He glanced at me, surprised. He said, “Ms. Murphy, you look different from last time. Sorry, my eyes aren’t what they used to be–I didn’t recognize you at first.”