Page 55 of Just One Kiss

How would she focus on Quinn if she was tending to David?

It all seemed like a bad idea now that she was in it. But she was in it nonetheless.

“I appreciate you coming with me,” she said. And she did. It was a strange mix of being thankful she had a plus one and being anxious for the same reason.

“Of course,” he said. “I’m looking forward to spending some non-medical-related time with you.” He opened the car door for her and she got inside.

“I’ve never been to the Harbor Pointe Pavilion,” he said as he restarted the engine.

“It’s beautiful,” Carly said. “Perfect place for an engagement party. Or a wedding, I guess.”

“And your whole family will be there?”

“It’s just my dad and sister and I,” Carly said. “And then my dad’s friends, who are kind of like family, I guess.” She told him about Judge, Calvin and Beverly and hoped he asked no more questions.

“And your mom?”

Carly stifled a groan. “She left when I was fourteen.”

Indifferent.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“She has a new family now.” Carly didn’t care—not really—she’d written her mother off years ago. Quinn was the one who battled feelings of abandonment—at least from their mother. Though, in those early days when Jaden was a baby, it sure would’ve been nice to have a mother to rely on.

To have anyone to rely on.

But it was what it was. She was better for it. Stronger. Independent.

At least he hadn’t asked about her and Josh. At least that wound could stay properly covered. For now, anyway.

They arrived at the pavilion, exited the car and walked toward the music, the sound of voices filling the night air. The mid-June weather was warm but not hot, the sun, still hanging low in the sky, bathing Harbor Pointe in a glorious orange and pink hue.

The Harbor Pointe Pavilion had an outdoor garden that led into a community building, making it the perfect spot for any event. Quinn had a knack for decorating spaces like this, and if Carly knew her sister, she’d gone all out.

They walked through the arch that led to the outdoor part of the pavilion and Carly drank in the ambience her sister had created.

If I ever get married, Quinn will be my matron of honorandmy wedding planner.

White lights twinkled and sprays of every kind of white flower Quinn could’ve dreamed up decorated the open-air space.

David sneezed. Then sneezed again. “It’s a lot of flowers.”

Carly’s eyes went wide. “Are you allergic?”

He nodded and sneezed again.

Quinn rushed over, her face beaming, looking every bit a soon-to-be blushing bride. “You made it.”

“Of course I made it.” Carly hugged her sister and David sneezed. “This is David. David, my sister, Quinn.”

He looked down at the hand that had just caught his last sneeze and then at Quinn.

“It’s okay, I’ll pretend you’re shaking my hand,” she said.

Grady appeared at her side. “Hey, Carly.”

“Grady, this is David.”

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