“Why does it surprise you?” He rested his weight on one leg and folded his arms over that wide chest like he was settling in for a nice long chat.
What the hell was with the people in this town all wanting to talk?
“Ah, well, no reason.” She chickened out.
“I can take it.”
“What?”
“The insult.”
“It wasn’t an insult.”
The smile widened. “Well now, that’s nice of you. But I was a bad boy Trainer, and while she has to be civil with us now we’re related, Mrs. Howard will never fully get over that fact.”
Something flickered in his eyes. Demons, Quinn thought. Everyone had at least one, and she had a feeling this guy had plenty from his childhood.
“You’re hot,” she blurted, not wanting him to look sad. She instantly wished she hadn’t spoken.
“Thank you,” he said solemnly. “So are you.”
“Thank you.” Quinn could feel the heat creeping into her cheeks. “I have to go, so see you.” Raising a hand, she was nearly running as she walked away.
“See you round, Quinn Harper.”
And this was why she should just stay at the farm. Going out in public meant people wanted to talk to you and ask you to play basketball. Then there was the Ryker Roadies, and poetry, plus the book club. She hadn’t been asked to do stuff like that ever.
If she was honest, deep inside, it felt kind of good. She’d spent years preparing to be who she was today and was proud of it. But maybe she’d missed out on stuff that she hadn’t even known she’d enjoy.
Perhaps it was time to change some of the things in her life? Quinn just wasn’t sure how.