Page 3 of The One for Forever

But then, only a few months after they’d moved in, Cliff’s mom had died suddenly. A stroke. And their perfect world had shattered.

So yeah, I’d seen Cliff and his father both cry. I’d cried for them. After it happened, I had tried to be around for them as much as I could. Managing the food brought by well-meaning neighbors, helping Cliff clean the house. It had been rough. And so unfair.

“Sorry,” I murmured. “I have no good reason to cry.” Except an asshole prom date who thought he’d get laid tonight. I had let Landon know that would not be happening, and he’d complained about a bait and switch. Becauseof coursethe virginal good girl would want to punch her V card on prom night.

It had taken Landon all of five minutes to find a different girl to make out with on the dance floor. I’d meant to leave with my dignity intact, but instead, I’d taken a detour into the ladies’ room so nobody would see me crying. Not because I was sad about Landon, per se, but because I’d really had my hopes up for a fun night. I’d gotten all dressed up for such a let down.

But no way was I going to tell Rex Easton any of that.

His chiseled, masculine features were going all soft and sympathetic. “Don’t be sorry for how you feel. It’s valid.”

I shrugged.

After I was silent for a long time, Rex sighed. “What about your parents? They aren’t home tonight?”

“Mom’s at a conference in Phoenix. Dad has a meeting first thing Monday in Cleveland.”

He muttered something like,Of-freaking-course, then spoke louder. “You should have someone here to take care of you.”

“I’m almost nineteen.” At least, I would be in September.

“That doesn’t matter. We all need somebody sometimes.”

“Isn’t that from a song?”

His mouth quirked. “Why don’t we call Cliff? You’re his friend. He shouldn’t have let you leave the dance alone.”

“Cliff texted me when he realized I was gone. But I want everyone else to have fun tonight. It’s not their fault my date was…” I shrugged. “A dick. I mean, um, a jerk.”

“Will you tell me this dick kid’s name?”

Rex’s dark hair and eyes shone in the dim light. For a moment, he looked predatory. But I wasn’t worried for myself. I was worried for Landon.

“Probably best if I don’t do that. He’s not worth it.”

“He doesn’t deserveyou, if he disappointed you at your prom. You’re a very special person, Quinn.”

“Yeah, okay.”

“It’s true. You’re beautiful and smart.”

“Even with mascara all over my face?”

He didn’t even flinch. “Yep. Because your beauty comes from inside. You deserve someone equally great. I’m sure you’ll find him someday.”

Ugh. I rolled my eyes because that felt like the appropriate response to those awkward statements. From the hot dad next door, no less. “Maybe next year in college.”

“College. Sure. Maybe.” Rex coughed, looking away from me as he stood up. “Hold on. I’ll be right back.”

He went over to his car and opened the door, grabbing something inside. I watched him, curious about what he was up to. Which gave me the excuse to stare.

Rex wasn’t just handsome. He wasgood. He protected people for a living, and that was after fighting bad guys around the world for decades. I knew he and Cliff didn’t always get along, and there’d been some distance between them after Mrs. Easton died. Rex still carried that sadness over losing his wife, Lydia. But to me, it was hard to imagine a better man than him.

Maybe, if I was lucky, that “special guy” I was destined for would be someone like him. That thought filled me with pleasant tingles.

A man like Rex with his strong arms around me… His mouth on me…Quinn, you’re beautiful.

“I’ll let you in on a secret,” Rex said softly. His voice was deep, smooth yet raspy.

---