“Just how the tutoring was going. I knew your mom would want a report.”
“Huh. Is that when she told you about rotting bananas?” She gives me a weird questioning look.
“Oh. No.” I run one of my hands through my hair. “That was when I bumped into her at the grocery store earlier this week.”
She nods, a shutter falling behind her eyes. “Right. Okay, I’ve got to get to school.”
I don’t have any idea what right means in teenager language, but I’m guessing she thinks I’m hiding something from her. And I am. Shit.
I grab my phone and shoot a text over to Quinn.
Me: Hey, Olivia is starting to ask some questions about us.
Quinn: Uh-oh. I didn’t say anything to her. I promise.
Me: No, it’s my fault. I was telling her how we should wait to do the banana bread and she noticed how close we were standing under the umbrella.
Me: I kind of brushed her off, but I think she suspects.
Quinn: Honestly, she will find out one way or another.
Quinn: It may be better if you just tell her.
Me: Right. Okay, when she gets back from her mom’s on Sunday, I’ll sit down with her.
Quinn: Okay. I just hope it doesn’t affect us in class.
Me: I’ll talk to her about it.
Quinn: Oh, heads up, the girls and I are coming to the cider mill tonight.
Me: Book club? Who chose the location?
Quinn: Yes. Wasn’t me, but I didn’t argue. :)
Me: Beware—you know what happens when you show up here.
Quinn: Ha ha. You’re cute.
Me: I miss you. And …
Quinn: You miss my kisses.
Me: Well, I miss those, too. And other stuff.
At seven, Quinn and her group of friends descend upon my cider mill, all chattering voices and happy smiles. They’d been highly amusing the last time they were here. That was the same night Quinn and I hooked up the first time. I’ll probably be suffering from flashbacks of that particular event all evening.
My eyes are immediately drawn to Quinn. I could feast for hours on the sight of her long legs encased in skinny jeans and the sexiest heels I’ve ever seen in my life. I should just face it right now—the fact that I’m turned on doesn’t need to be blamed on flashbacks of the two encounters we’ve had here. All it takes is one look at her and I’m done.
The ladies seat themselves at the same table they’d occupied the last time they’d been in. Coincidentally, it’s the same table I’d laid Quinn out on—bare—the last time she was here. That’s sure to help the growing situation in my pants. Pun intended.
I take a deep breath, exhale, and try to calm the furious beating of my heart. As I approach, their faces light up. “To what do I owe this special surprise tonight?” I look around their circle, giving a nod to Sophia, who I’ve been in touch with about reception planning quite a bit lately. My eyes finally land on Quinn, and she gives me a cautious smile. “It’s good to have all of you back.”
From the look on her face, I’m starting to wonder if this won’t be awkward as hell. Huh. I’m curious to know if she’s shared with her friends what we’ve been up to or not. Quinn’s a private person, but surely not with her people.
One of the women grins. “I liked the place so much when we came in January that I just knew we had to come back when it was my turn to choose where to meet. I’m Zoey. I’m one of the guidance counselors at your daughter’s school.”
“Ah. Very nice to see you again.”