Page 103 of Dad Next Door

“Yeah, thanks.” I gave Sadie one last head scratch and stood.

“Quinn.” Dad appeared in the hallway. “Hi.”

“Hey, Dad.”

“Go ahead. I’ll get the tea when it’s ready.” Pops leaned in and gave my dad a quick kiss.

“Thanks.” Dad gave his ass a little slap.

“Really, right in front of me? Won’t someone think of the children?” I teased. My parents had never been shy about showing their affection for each other, which meant me and my brothers had made a sport out of making fun of them for it.

“Good thing you weren’t around earlier.” Pops waggled his eyebrows at me.

“Patrick.” Dad laughed.

“Gross,” I deadpanned, playing along. “I’m going to need extra cookies to make up for the trauma you just rained down on me.”

“Cookies and tea? Someone’s demanding.” Pops made a big show of looking exasperated.

“And they say I’m the only actor in the family.” I tsked dramatically.

“Let’s go into the living room before the water finishes boiling,” Dad said, not even finishing the last word before the kettle whistled in the kitchen.

I followed Dad into the living room while Pops went to take care of the kettle.

“So,” Dad lowered himself onto the loveseat. “What brings you by?”

I sat on the couch opposite him. “Nothing. I just finished a meeting with a client and was in the neighborhood.”

“You were?” He studied me. “Why am I getting the feeling that’s not the whole truth?”

“Because your superpower is being annoying,” I grumbled.

“Is it being annoying, or is it being able to read you?” He leaned back in his seat. “So, what’s really going on? Not that I’m not happy to see you. You know you’re always welcome to drop by whenever you want. But I can tell this visit isn’t just about being nearby.”

“Before you start,” Pops said from the doorway. “Do you want Dad time? I have a crossword with my name on it if you need the room.”

I shook my head.

He hooked his thumb in the direction of the kitchen. “I’ll grab the tea and cookies and be right back.”

“I’ll help.” I stood. “I need to move, anyway.”

When everything was in the living room, I curled my hands around a steaming mug of tea and stared into the dark liquid.

“Quinn?” Dad asked.

“How did you know you were in love?”

Both men froze but recovered quickly. They were used to my bluntness and tendency to dive right into things without preamble.

“What do you mean?” Dad asked.

“When you were friends. When did you know there was more between you? And when did you know it was love and not just affection?”

They exchanged a look.

I knew the basics of their story but had never asked for details. They’d done such a good job of communicating with us when their friendship had evolved into more that I’d never felt the need to ask for specifics.

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