Page 58 of The One for Forever

He nods. “Do you like them?”

“I love them. I can’t believe you made those. I mean, Ican, but I’m impressed.”

His eyes light up. As if it means a lot to hear me say that. “I’ve done smaller things too, but as far as bigger pieces, only those that you saw. The table, the bed, a few chairs. It’s been a learning process. But I love taking something worn out and making it beautiful again.”

It’s such a Rex thing to do. I point at the board he was sanding. “What’s this going to be?”

He runs his fingers over the surface. “I’m not sure yet. But with you here, I was inspired to start something new.” He nuzzles my cheek. “You do seem better today. What do you feel like doing?”

“I would sayyou, but that’s way too cheesy a line.”

He laughs, but his gaze has taken on a darker gleam. “I did make you certain promises about what would happen when you got better.”

A thrill of excitement runs through me, like I’m a live wire. “Yeah. You did.” I wiggle in his arms.

“Are you nervous?” he asks, his voice deep and melodic.

Part of me wants to sprawl out on his workbench and let him do whatever he wants. But the other part of me? “A little nervous,” I say. Because once we cross that line, we can’t ever go back.

“We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”

“That’s not it. I’ve just wanted this for so long.”

“How long?”

I bite my lip. Am I really going to tell him this? “About ten years. Off and on.”

He inhales slowly, nostrils flaring. “Quinn…you’ve had boyfriends though, right? I thought you did.”

“Of course. Mainly this one guy in college. But aside from him, there hasn’t really been anyone. I know. It’s ridiculous.”

He holds my chin so I’ll look at him. “Not ridiculous. I’m flattered. I didn’t know. And even if I had…”

“You couldn’t see me that way back then. I get that. I’m glad you didn’t. I’m glad it’s happening the way it is. Even with all this drama.”

“I’m not happy you’re in danger. Certainly not happy you were hurt. But I think it’s happening when it’s meant to. When we’re both ready.” He stares at me for a long time, eyes searchingmine. “I have my work cut out for me. I’d better make it worth all that wait. Let’s spend the day together.”

“We’ve been spending every day together.”

“I mean a date. I’d take you out, but we’re safer here. So I’ll have to make it special.” He lifts an eyebrow. “You brought a swimsuit, right?”

“Lark packed one for me.”

“Good. Put it on and meet me by the door in twenty minutes. I have big plans for you.”

“I can’t wait,” I say.

I’m itching to check my email. But I know the rest of my colleagues are covering for me right now. Lana had a point that I haven’t taken time off in a while.

I have no idea how much longer I can spend with Rex without the rest of the world interfering. The Printz trial is still looming, and we haven’t made any progress on finding the anonymous source or new evidence. Who knows what crap is being said about me online.

But for now, I want to enjoy being with him and shut out everyone else for as long as I can. Including all my fears and doubts. After ten years, I’m finally about to have the man of my dreams.

16

Ten years. Quinn has had a thing for me for almost tenyears?

As I strip off my clothes and grab my spare swim trunks from the guest room dresser, I repeat her confession in my head. I have so many questions. Did she just mean that she was attracted to me back then? That she’d actually wanted tosleepwith me when she was a teenager?

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