"The basement's done, Mr. Bennett. Need me to walk you through it?" Joanne said, her voice steady despite her exhaustion.
"Oh, that's overkill for someone like you!" Quinn laughed airily. "I wouldn't have bothered you if I weren't completely swamped."
"No trouble at all. If that's everything, I'll head out now."
Quinn suddenly caught her wrist. "Zane's on his way back—you should stay for dinner!" Her grip was deceptively light, her smile all warmth.
Joanne shook her head with practiced politeness. "I'm expected at the hospital. My brother's waiting."
"God, I feel awful!" Quinn's eyes widened with theatrical remorse. "Had I known, I'd never have—"
"Really. It's fine." Joanne edged toward the door.
Quinn escorted her to the gates with saccharine insistence, even trying to summon Mrs.
