Page 34 of Shuttered Hearts

“No.” I look at him, confused. “You go to the bookstore regularly? You have time to read?”

“Well, no, but Emily took me in one day when Abbey had cookies. Now I stop by once a week to see if she has anything else,” he says a little bashfully, causing me to laugh.

“And finally, in first place, we have Emily Marks with her pumpkin apple pie, a fun twist on two classics.”

Everyone is quiet for a minute, shocked by the turn of events. Once the shock wears off, the entire Marks family hoots and hollers, Lucy and I right along with them.

“Go, Em!” Quinn shouts, shaking Emily from her frozen stance in front of the stage, going to accept the blue ribbon for first place.

“Marybelle didn’t even place? Has anyone tried her pie?” Scott asks the group quietly.

“I’m on it,” Lucy whispers conspiratorially before making her way to grab a slice of Marybelle’s pumpkin pie. We all watch as she takes a bite, her eyes going round. She grabs one more slice before making her way back to us. “Here you go,” she says, setting the two plates down on the table in front of us. “But I understand why she didn’t win. Something went horribly wrong,” she whispers as quietly as she can. “There’s no way they could have picked her this year.”

It’s comical how we all rush to grab a small taste of the pie after Lucy’s told us it’s not good. I instantly regret taking the bite as soon as I do it.

“Is that Marybelle’s?” Emily walks up to rejoin the group.

“Yeah, and it’s bad, very bad,” Max says like it’s the saddest thing in the world, causing us to laugh.

“Congratulations, baby. You deserve it.” Caleb pulls her in for a quick kiss, tucking her into his side after.

I’ve seen Caleb do that more times than I can count, but this time I get a little twinge in my chest, like I’m jealous he has someone to kiss and be with while I don’t.

Since Melissa, I haven’t craved that kind of relationship or any kind of relationship. Yeah, I’ve needed to release some pent-up tension, but a night in a neighboring town is always good enough. I don’t have to worry about someone catching feelings because I know I won’t see them again.

The idea of being in a committed relationship after everything I went through with Melissa has never really crossed my mind—at least, not more than knowing I’m not open to a committed relationship. Opening my heart up to someone else hasn’t been something I’ve been interested in.

I look at Quinn. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out why that might be changing for me, but that doesn’t mean I’m not shocked by this tightness in my chest.

Quinn’s staring at the two of them, an almost wistful look on her face. But she quickly looks away, a frown growing instead.

I don’t know what that frown means, but if it means what I hope it does, it might be time for me to be honest, at least with myself, and admit my feelings for Quinn go deeper than friendship.

But is it something Quinn even wants? There’s so much going on in her life, so much unknown. Is it even the right time? Does she even want to stay in Ashford Falls long-term?

She’s never said anything outright, but the only reason she came home was to be here with her dad. What happens when he’s gone?

I’ve gone down that path before, compromising my wants to make someone else happy. While I can see myself falling for Quinn, I can’t put myself through that again. I won’t give up my dreams for someone else, and I won’t ask someone to give up their dreams for me.

“Where to next?” Emily asks, pulling me back to the moment. Now is not the time to think about any of that.

eighteen

QUINN

“But I don’t wanna go home,”Max says, rubbing his eyes and leaning against me heavily.

I brush his hair from his forehead and look down at him. “I know, buddy, but you need to. You can barely stand on your own. It’s been a long day.”

“I didn’t get to go on the hayride, though.”

“There’s always next year. It’s okay to miss out on some things. It might even be good for you. Remind you not to take everything for granted.”

“Do we have to get all serious right now? I’m tired.”

I laugh. “Exactly my point. Now get in the car with Caleb and Emily.” I press a kiss to his forehead and push him toward the car.

“Night, Declan.” Max detours to give Declan a quick hug.

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