His now ex-wife had known that he’d fallen for Saige. How could she not when he’d wake in the middle of the night, lying beside her, his head full of the sexual dream he’d had and his mouth full of her name…Saige.
He hated his ex, Jocelyn. She’d been unfaithful to him since the day he’d put a ring on her finger. The bitch had constantly lied and cheated, although he hadn’t known at the time. Two weeks before he’d met Saige, he’d spoken to a lawyer about getting a divorce, except before anything could be done, he’d found himself arrested for murder, and attempted murder. Jocelyn had lied through her teeth about him and their relationship. She’d gained a lot of money from her interviews, and she talked to everyone and anyone who paid the booking fee. The only good thing to come of that was when she’d divorced him. He’d jumped for joy knowing she no longer had a hold over him. Not that it did him any good considering his new living arrangements.
Saige had been his lifeline until it was ripped away. He’d lived on memories of her from the minute he’d been incarcerated. He’d gone crazy not being able to see her. He’d had no idea how she was, or if she’d be all right.
Nothing.
His brother, Alex, told him what he’d discovered, which hadn’t been much. Saige hadn’t been raped, but it still hadn’t calmed the rage he’d felt toward the bastard who’d taken her. He’d done enough damage to her, but knowing that Saige was safe calmed Quinten down. He just wished that Alex hadn’t grown to hate her because he hadn’t been able too. He’d tried once the trial was under way and he’d discovered that she’d identified him from a photograph, much to his confusion. Her father had looked at him with hatred.
His heart still held strong though and refused to be hardened against her. He loved her too much.
When he felt more down than usual, he’d have his doubts, but then he’d remember how she’d been with him.
Nothing about her had been a lie.
So why did she accuse him of being the one?
His eyes stung with tears as her image appeared in his mind.
It was a warm day, not a cloud in the sky, and she’d been walking her father to his car. Saige had turned and met his gaze. The smile she’d given him had filled her eyes, and her whole damn body had practically shimmered.
He remembered it like it happened yesterday.
Alex had laughed and commented, “You’ve both got it as bad as you can, bro.” Quinten had turned to Alex with a grin on his face. It had soon disappeared when he’d spotted Christina Lockwood standing behind his brother. She’d heard every word, and if looks could kill, he’d have died that day.
Tears fell down his face at the overwhelming longing to see Saige, touch her, and confess his love, even after all this time, washed over him.
Just one last time.
That’s all he wanted.
Just to see her once more.
Day 4
5:45am
* * *
Saige heard Tamsyn clambering around in the kitchen before she left for her shift at the diner. Normally, she would be getting up to head out with her, but not today. She wasn’t even sure if she wanted to go back and chances were she’d be fired for not showing up. She’d already missed two days. Lou wouldn’t be happy, even though Saige had worked for her for a few years without taking any time off sick.
At least her stepmom would be happy.
Shaking that miserable thought from her mind, Saige quickly threw on a pair of sweats and a sweatshirt.
She’d make some coffee and hopefully get some time with Tamsyn before she left. Last night, when she got home, Saige hardly said two words to her friend. Her head had been full of what Alex had told her. He left her with more unanswered questions, especially about his brother and her relationship with him.
She noticed that while Alex had answered her questions about knowing him and his brother, he hadn’t expanded either.
What hadn’t he told her?
Her heart pounded when she thought about Alex and his brother. The feeling of familiarity that she knew him had been strong while she sat talking to him. She hadn’t felt threatened by him and just hoped he hadn’t given her a false sense of security.
Saige wanted her memory back and to help Quinten Peterson if he turned out to be innocent. Alex just wanted his brother free and she had a feeling that he’d do and say anything to make that happen.
“Saige,” Tamsyn whispered.
She’d been so wrapped up in her thoughts that she’d made her way to the kitchen without really thinking about it.
Saige smiled softly at Tamsyn, muttering a distracted greeting.
Tamsyn stepped toward her. “How are you holding up? Headache gone?”
“It’s not that bad.” Saige watched while Tamsyn grabbed two large mugs and poured them both a cup of fresh coffee.