Page 32 of Shuttered Hearts

To lighten the mood, I smile at Declan. “Do you think we were ever in the same place at the same time when you were in New York?” I ask out of the blue.

And it works, because a massive laugh breaks free from Declan, causing me to smile proudly.

seventeen

DECLAN

“Declan!”Max shouts when he opens the front door to see me the next morning.

“You saw me a few days ago, kid.” I laugh, pulling him into a hug.

“I know, but I still missed you.” He looks up at me, resting his chin against me but looking up to catch my eye. “Don’t tell Quinn, but you’re my favorite today.”

I chuckle and squeeze him a little tighter.

“Hey! I heard that.” I look up from Max to see Quinn walking toward us. She’s dressed in tight black jeans, an oversized cream sweater, brown boots that are almost orange, and a beanie to match. She’s so effortlessly beautiful I can’t look away, and I struggle to recall what Max and I were talking about. “You said I was your favorite just this morning.”

Max laughs, turning to Quinn but falling back into me, knowing I’ll catch him. “If your favorite can change, then so can mine.”

I wrap my arms around his shoulders, leaning over him to catch his eye as he tilts his head back to look at me. “You’re my favorite too.”

“At least my favorite doesn’t change by the hour,” Quinn mumbles, but I catch the wink she throws Max to make sure he knows she’s joking.

“It’s pretty chilly out there today. You might want a jacket,” I tell Max, seeing he’s in jeans and a flannel button down, with boots of his own.

“I have another shirt under this one, but I’ll grab my vest too.” Max runs to the coat closet and begins rifling through it.

“What about you? Do you need something else?” I ask Quinn.

She smiles at me. “I’m wearing layers as well.” She scrunches her nose and continues, “Plus, a jacket or vest would not look good with this outfit.”

“Right, the outfit. How could I forget?” I roll my eyes but laugh while doing it. “Is your dad joining us?” Scott has a few more weeks in his current cast before being put in a walking boot, so I’ll be surprised if he’s up for it.

“He is, but not until later. Lucy said she would bring him with her. Caleb got a wheelchair from the hospital, so he’ll be able to get around easier than with the crutches.”

“Good.” I smile, still a little transfixed by Quinn’s beauty.

“I’m ready!” Max shouts as he runs back toward the front door, vest in hand.

“Then let’s go!” Quinn responds in equal excitement while grabbing her purse from the table by the door.

I open the door behind me and follow both of them out. “Are we meeting Caleb and Emily there?”

Max runs to my truck and climbs into the backseat, buckling himself in. I can see him practically bouncing in his seat with excitement from the porch.

“Yeah, specifically at the pie-baking contest. Emily entered this year.”

“She did? Which pie is she making? She makes quite a few flavors for the holidays.”

“Last I talked to her, she was thinking of an apple crumble, but she hadn’t officially decided.”

“Smart. Surprisingly, there’s a lot of pumpkin pies every year, but not a ton of apple.” I open the passenger door for Quinn, but she doesn’t move to get in. “What?”

“You weren’t kidding yesterday when you said you love the Fall Harvest Festival.” She laughs.

I roll my eyes at her again. “Get in, Bug.”

“Bug!” She scoffs at me.

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