A Private Affair by Donna Hill Page B

early. You gotta get back to Long Island, or what?”
    She swallowed. “Eventually. Why?”
    â€œI wanna spend some time with you.” His smile ran over her like warm sunshine. He was taking a chance letting her cross the line. He reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a spare set of keys and placed them on the table. “These are the keys to my crib. You remember where it is? Eighteenth and Sixth. Three oh one. The apartment at the top of the steps. First door on your right.”
    â€œWhat am I supposed to do with your keys, Quinn?”
    â€œOpen my door, go in, make yourself comfortable and wait for me. I should be back in a coupla hours. You with that, or what?”
    She pressed her lips together. Decide, girl. “So long as you’re sure you’ll only be a couple of hours.”
    He grinned. “No doubt.” He leaned a bit closer and pressed his lips to her cheek. Her heart slammed in her chest. “See you in a few.”
    As she watched him walk away, her head began to pound and her hands started to shake. What was she doing? She had keys to the apartment of a man she hardly knew. Her stomach started to do a dance. And she was planning to go.
    She caught a fleeting glimpse of him walking through the door with his arm possessively around Maxine’s waist. Just how good was their friendship?
    Â 
    â€œYou wanna tell me what’s buggin’ you?” Quinn grumbled, pulling his car out into traffic.
    â€œNothing. I told you I was just tired.”
    â€œYou wasn’t tired a minute ago. I thought we were celebratin’.”
    â€œSo did I,” she mumbled under her breath.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œNothing.”
    â€œWomen.”
    Maxine folded her arms and stared out the passenger window. Quinn cut a look in her direction.
    She sure was acting strange. He’d never known Maxine to flipthe script like that. She was always cool, easy to be around. Hey, maybe it was that time or something. If he didn’t know better he’d swear she was jealous.
    He slanted another look. Naw. They were family. It wasn’t like that between them. Not that he hadn’t thought about it from time to time, but hell, she’d probably really freak if he came on to her—like he was her brother or something.
    â€œSo when you gonna let me know about this lawyer?” he asked, trying to draw her out of her mood.
    â€œI’ll talk to Val on Monday,” she said without turning around. Then she did. “Listen, Q, I’m sorry about tonight. I guess I was more tired than I thought.” She paused. “Maybe we can pick it up another time.”
    â€œSure. Whatever. So long as you’re okay.” He grinned, feeling better. “Had me worried there for a minute, girl—leavin’ all that food.”
    She smiled. “First time for everything.” She took a breath. “So where’d you meet Ms. Uptown?”
    He laughed. “Ran into her the day I was movin’ into the new crib. What do you think?”
    She shrugged her left shoulder. “Not that my opinion counts for anything.” She gave him a look and half smiled. “She seems okay. A little stiff, but friendly. Can’t see her hangin’ in B.J.’s, that’s for damn sure.”
    They both laughed at that one.
    â€œI hear ya. She’s different. No doubt.”
    They drove in silence for the balance of the trip, each caught in private thoughts about Nikita.
    He eased to a stop in front of Maxine’s apartment building.
    â€œThanks, Q.” Maxine fidgeted with the lock for a minute, got it open, then turned to him. “See ya. You have my number. Give me a call one day next week. I’ll let you know what’s happening.”
    Quinn nodded and looked at her hard. “You straight, Max?”
    â€œYeah. I’m fine. Nothing that a good night’s sleep won’t cure.” She opened the door. “Later.” She