Roni felt like she was going to cry. “He said he can’t promise he won’t use drugs again.”

“That’s true. No one in recovery can make that promise. I know it’s painful to hear, but I can tell you that in the time I’ve known Quincy, he’s never once taken a step backward. He doesn’t drink, he’s honest to a fault, and for what it’s worth, he’s never brought a woman around us until you.”

Roni had been thinking about his honesty, too, and knowing he’d never brought another woman around his friends confirmed what she already knew. Their connection was more powerful than anything she’d ever known. It was stronger than both of them. “Thank you for telling me all of this, Gemma. I miss him already, and it’s only been a day and a half.” It felt good to say that out loud. She missed his constant texts, his voice, and seeing his soulful eyes. She missed his friendship, his kisses, and the smile that stirred butterflies in her belly, but just as all that longing took hold, the crows swept down to feed again.

Chapter Nine

QUINCY SHOVED HIS laptop across the desk and pushed to his feet after typing and deleting the same line four times while trying to write a paper for his business ethics class. He could no sooner concentrate on schoolwork than he could on anything else besides driving his ass over to the dance studio and talking to Roni. She hadn’t responded to his texts on Sunday. He was anxious, and at the same time he felt completely wrung out and empty. He’d talked to Tru, to Penny, and to Jed, but nothing could soothe the ache of longing eating away at him. He’d barely slept the last two nights, and it didn’t help that Simone had needed extra support yesterday.

He checked the time, threw on his leather jacket, grabbed his keys, and headed downstairs. Truman, Jed, and Bear all turned as he walked into the shop. There was no escaping the concern in their eyes. He’d seen it so many times in the weeks after he’d gotten out of rehab, he could spot the are you on the edge looks a mile away. He hadn’t been tested like this since those first few weeks, and they all knew it. Dealing with the trials and tribulations of reentering the world without the safety net of being so drugged up that nothing could faze him had been a massive undertaking, but he’d fucking nailed it. This thing with Roni was totally different, and it was kicking his ass, but he’d have himself put in a straitjacket before he’d use drugs again. Although he wasn’t a fool. Anything that fucked with his head and his heart at the same time required backup.

Jed lifted his chin and said, “How’s it going, Quince?”

Shitty. “It’s goin’.”

“Don’t worry, man,” Bear called out to him. “The way Roni was looking at you Friday night, she’ll be calling before you know it.”