Page 79 of The One for Forever

She bites her lip. “Lana’s the DA. It’s her decision, ultimately. We’ll see if Pete will repeat his statement on video and in writing. And then go from there.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“This could behugefor our case.” Her excitement is returning. A spark of hope shining in her eyes.

“And you’re the one who made it happen.”

“With the help of Bennett Security. And you.”

I run my fingers through her hair, then turn to buckle my seatbelt. “Where to? It’s a drive back to the beach. Or I could take you to your apartment or my place here.”

Her eyes widen. “Your house?”

“If you’re comfortable with that, sure.”

I’d like to take her back to my West Oaks home. But there’s no denying the significance.

I’ve been in communication with my team. They’ve been on standby, and as soon as I know where we’re going, I’ll have a car tag along after us for extra security. Since we’re back in West Oaks for the first time since the attack on Quinn that left her in the hospital, I’m not taking any chances.

If Quinn wants to head back to the beach house, I’m fine with that, despite the drive. I’m confident in her safety either way.

But I’d like to take her to the home I’ve lived in for over a decade now. She’s been there countless times as Cliff’s friend. As the girl who lived next door. Taking her to my bed there, having her spend the night as my lover, is a very different thing.

“I’d like that,” she says breathlessly. “If you’re sure it’s okay.”

“I want you in every part of my life. Nothing is off limits.” I touch her chin, then lean over to peck her on the lips. “Come home with me?”

She nods, and I put the truck in gear.

We pull into my driveway.My windows are dark, but the ranch-style house next door is lit up. There’s a TV playing some kind of action movie inside, visible through the front window. Quinn stares at it. Her parents haven’t lived there for years. Yet I have no doubt she’s remembering what it was like to grow up there.

I was holding her hand on the drive, so I lift it to my lips and kiss it. “Let’s go inside.”

After another glance at her childhood home, she follows me into my two-story brick bungalow. I switch on lights as I go from room to room. Except for the home where I grew up in Michigan, this is the house I’ve lived in the longest. It’s as familiar to me as my own name at this point. I could probably navigate it in pitch dark.

Yet somehow, it looks different to me now. Probably because I’m not the same guy that I was when I left here about a week ago. I had realized my attraction to Quinn by then, but I had no idea how deep those feelings already ran within me.

The last night I spent here, I was still achingly lonely. But now I have Quinn. I’m happy. I feel that sensation bubbling upand pushing on my lungs. I am truly happy for the first time in ages, and it’s all because of her.

Things are a mess with Cliff, and that’s a constant thorn in the back of my mind. I texted him before we left for West Oaks earlier, just to tell him again that I love him no matter what. He hasn’t written back yet. But I have to trust Quinn when she says that Cliff and I will be okay.

“I have a frozen pizza on standby,” I say. “If you’re hungry.”

“Maybe later.” She’s looking at a wall of family photos that’s just past the kitchen. I go over and stand behind her, resting my hands on her waist. There are photos of me and my Army buddies, brothers who I still keep in close contact with. Max Bennett is in a couple of them. But most of the photos are of me, Lydia, and Cliff. I took a few with me up to the beach house, but this is my treasure trove. All our best memories together.

There are none of Quinn because I took those to the beach house. My sanctuary when I was healing. Maybe that should’ve been a clue.

“I can’t wait to add photos of you and me,” I say. I rest my chin on her shoulder. I have to hunch over to do it, but she nuzzles into me affectionately. “Lots more memories to come.”

Quinn is silent for a couple of moments. Then she says, “Do you think Lydia would be okay with this? You and me together?”

I turn her around so I can look at her. “She’d probably be surprised. But she loved you. She thought you were a great influence on Cliff.” We both laugh softly. “More importantly, she thought you were an intelligent, thoughtful young woman. I don’t know why things happen the way they do. That’s way above my pay grade. But I’m sure, down to my bones, that if Lydia can see us now, she’s happy for us.” I rest my forehead against Quinn’s. “She’d want us to take care of each other.”

“Thank you,” she whispers, lips trembling.

Neither one of us feels like eating right now. So I take her hand and lead her upstairs to my bedroom instead. We pass Cliff’s old room, where Quinn spent the night so often. When she and I were completely different people to each other.

My room is neat, the bed made, just like I left it. Quinn hesitates in the doorway. I can guess what she’s thinking.

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