210 Brianna is back in Seattle 3

~ Seattle ~

Max, Liz, and Brianna met with Hunter and Mia in front of a brick building with no signage and the girls were surprised when Max told them that they are in front of a restaurant.

It is obvious that this is one of the local secrets which are devoid of random tourists.

They walked down the steps and entered a bustling bohemian restaurant which had an acrobat swaying on a giant ring from the ceiling. People were chattering in a friendly way, even between the tables, and it seemed that everyone knows each other. Definitely a place full of locals.

While Max spoke with the restaurant greeter, Liz, Mia, and Bri observed that the lively tune is coming from the band in the corner.

"We are a bit early, so we can sit at the bar until the table is ready.", Max informed the rest.

…

"What do you think?", Max asked Liz when she sat on the barstool.

Max refused to sit, he opted to stand by Liz's side, ignoring her comments that he looks like a bodyguard.

"Boyfriend, a protective boyfriend.", Max corrected Liz and leaned closer to add in a whisper: "Who will gladly protect your body."

Liz laughed and answered his first question related to her opinion of the restaurant. "It's unique."

Max nodded in agreement and added: "The food is delicious."

They ordered drinks and Hunter told the girls: "Max picked this joint, so if you don't like it, it's his fault. I picked the place after this one."

"There is nothing not to like here.", Max grumbled.

"Liz? Mia?" A male voice came from the side, attracting everyone's attention.

Both Liz and Mia are relatively new in Seattle and they can't think of any guy who would address them in such a familiar way.

Liz looked at the friendly face and it took her a second to remember: "Zack?"

He grinned, happy that she remembered.

They exchanged greetings, and Liz introduced Zack to Brianna: "Zack is a photographer who we met in Hawaii. He took those photos on the beach which we sent you."

"Are you here for dinner?", Mia asked Zack.

Zack's grin increased to the point of being limited by the location of his ears. "Not dinner. I'm here to discuss my contract with Reynolds publishing over a few drinks. It's all thanks to you that Mr. Reynolds agreed to talk to me."

Zack turned to Max. "The secretary was brushing me off, but when I mentioned that Mr. Anderson gave me the number she changed her tune."

Max was not interested in Zack's gratitude but he nodded politely to acknowledge that he heard him. Max glanced behind Zack. "Is he here?"

Zack confirmed. "He is settling the bill and I came to say 'hi'. I guess I owe you drinks because, without your help, I would not be able to score this job. Drinks for all of you, of course." Zack had to clarify that he wants to treat everyone.

"Maybe next time.", Max refused Zack's offer while gesturing to the bar. "We just got drinks."

Liz blinked at Max as question mark was almost visible above her head while she silently asked for an explanation: who is Mr. Reynolds? And why Zack wants to treat all of them?

"Hey, nice to meet you here.", Quentin's voice came from behind Zack, striking Brianna like a thunderbolt and at the same time answering Liz's question.

Quentin and Max did a man-hug and Quentin shook hands with Hunter before greeting Liz and Mia from a polite distance.

Lastly, Quentin moved to stand in front of Brianna whose face was unreadable.

"I didn't know you are visiting. It is nice to see you again.", Quentin said to Brianna while a small smile lingered at the edge of his lips.

Brianna wanted to respond, but her heart was beating wildly in her throat and there was an internal fight within her between her being happy to see him, and at the same time wishing that he is not there.

"Did you have dinner?", Max asked Quentin and Zack in an obvious invitation for them to join their group of five.

Brianna was relieved that Quentin is not looking at her anymore. She will get some time to collect herself. Brianna cursed herself inwardly, 'what is wrong with me?' She could not believe that she was unable to say one 'hi' in response. It reminded her of the evening when she met Quentin, in the Black Rose nightclub, and she called him a mute because he had difficulty to talk to her.

"No, but I have something else going on, so I can't stay. Thank you for the offer.", Zack responded.

Max nodded in acknowledgment and looked at Quentin.

"I didn't have dinner, and I have no other plans but… I don't want to spoil your mood.", Quentin responded.

"Why would you spoil our mood?", Liz asked. She was distracted with Zack and his news that he scored a job with Quentin's publishing company, and she didn't notice how stiff Brianna is.

Quentin glanced at Brianna which made everyone look at her questionably.

"Uhm… don't look at me.", Brianna said awkwardly to Quentin. "If you want to join, then join. Do you need my permission?"

"No.", Quentin responded flatly. "But I saw that the mood was good before I arrived."

Quentin took a step back and swept with his eyes over everyone while wishing them a pleasant night. "Enjoy your dinner."

Quentin and Zack made their way toward the exit, and Mia and Liz glared at Brianna.

"What is wrong with you?", Mia asked.

"Did you two fight or something?", Liz was next with a question, without giving time to Brianna to respond to Mia's.

Brianna frowned at Liz. "No. What makes you think that?"

Mia made a face that showed how irritated she is. Liz missed Brianna's awkward behavior toward Quentin, but Mia didn't. "You can be nice even toward the guys you hooked up with. Why are you so mean toward Quentin?"

"Something happened and we don't know about it.", Liz spoke while cutting off Brianna's answer to Mia's question (again).

Brianna rubbed her forehead for a second and bolted from her chair to rush after Quentin.

Hunter and Mia were focused on Brianna, and Liz glanced at Max and noticed that his lips curved into a smile.

Liz tugged on his sleeve to get his attention. "I want to know what are you hiding."

"I'm not hiding anything.", Max said innocently. "We all know that Q likes Bri and we suspect that it's mutual. I told him where we will be for dinner and he moved his meeting with Zack here. And you saw the rest. I was hoping that he will join us for dinner, but if Bri is not willing, Q will not push it."

"Bri's behavior is strange.", Liz voiced her thoughts. "Are you sure there is nothing else going on between Bri and Quentin?"

Max shrugged. "Not that I know. Did Bri tell you something?"

Liz flipped through her memories before responding. "No. Since she visited the last time, she didn't mention Quentin or any other guy. She actually said that lately she is not interested in seeing guys…"

"Well, Bri usually does not talk about guys.", Mia chimed in with her opinion. "I remember that after their date, Bri told me that things went well between her and Quentin, and the next thing, she left in a hurry. But no matter what happened, she should be civil."

"Do you know what is going on?", Hunter asked Max.

Max glanced at Liz, Mia, and Hunter and waved his hands defensively. "Why would I know? I didn't see Q in a long time and even if I did, it's not like he will pour his heart to me..."

…

When Brianna stepped on the street, she saw Quentin and Zack shaking hands while saying their goodbyes.

"Quentin!", Brianna called.

Zack walked away and Quentin turned to Brianna. When their eyes met, his smile disappeared.

"Sorry for what happened inside. I was just surprised to see you.", Bri said awkwardly.

Quentin opened his mouth to speak, but it only ended up as taking a deep breath. He pressed his lips into a line, nodded at Bri, and walked past her, down the street, in the opposite direction Zack took.

Brianna frowned in disbelief at the sight of Quentin who is walking away. "You are not talking to me now?"

Quentin halted his steps and reminded her: "You are the first one who didn't talk to me."

"I said that I'm sorry.", Brianna snapped. "And I am not the first one, because you didn't call or text me after you sneaked out of the hotel room."

Quentin smirked condescendingly. "Really? I remember calling and texting after you left Seattle, and instead of answering, you blocked my number. Did you unblock me?"

Brianna bit her lower lip guiltily. She didn't unblock him, so even if he called, she would not know. She wondered, did she want him to call?

Quentin walked toward Brianna and stopped two steps away from her. "Since we are talking, tell me, why are you here?"

"You can join us for dinner, if you want.", Brianna said while avoiding to make eye contact.

"Do you want me to join?"

"This has nothing to do with what I want."

Quentin snorted irritably. "But it has to do with what I want. And I want you to desire my presence because I have no intention of forcing my company on you. Now, you answer me, do you want my company or not?"

Brianna stared at Quentin and as much as her stubbornness wanted to push him away, she could not make herself do it. The attraction she feels toward him won and she responded with a nod.

Quentin smiled smugly. "Was that so difficult?"

"Yes."

Quentin shook his head in disapproval. "Bri… I hope that you are able to acknowledge your feelings before it's too late. Let's go."

Brianna watched Quentin walk past her and she blinked before asking: "Where?"

"Inside. You said that you want me to join you for dinner. It would be rude of me to decline your offer. And I am hungry.", he said with a victorious grin while opening the door of the restaurant and gesturing for Brianna to get in.

Brianna snorted. How did this turn out like she invited Quentin for dinner? But she didn't want to argue with him. Her mind is a mess and she will only blurt out more embarrassing things.

Brianna realized that her mind is a mess, but her heart was at peace. However, realizing and admitting are two different things.

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