Page 86 of Roommate's Guide to Love

“Really? I never took you as an astrology girlie.”

“Oh, I’m not. But I believe in the power of a fairytale. And Quinn, I think you’re starting to live yours right now.”

24

porter

The house isquiet as I walk in from my day shift at the bar, which isn’t surprising. We’ve gotten into a good groove where Grace’s afternoon nap straddles the time where Quinn and I are coming and going.

On a normal day, Quinn would be in the living room, most likely reading. Maybe in the kitchen making dinner. Then again, the last few days have been anything but normal.

I took Charlie’s advice and gave her space after the incident at the diner. The problem with that, though, is that it’s now it’s been two days, and I’ve barely said two words to her. I thought I could yesterday before we traded shifts, but she nearly knocked me over as she ran out of the house.

Something’s going on with her, and I think it’s more than just Emily’s bad behavior. As much as Quinn talks, not a lot of it is about her or her feelings. Which I get. But it’s driving me crazy knowing that something is going on with her and she, like always, thinks she has to deal with it herself.

The woman is nothing but stubborn. Beautiful. But stubborn.

I quietly walk through the house and see Quinn’s bedroom door open. I peek in and gently knock, but it’s empty. That’s when I hear the faint sound of a lullaby coming from down the hall.

The door is cracked, and I push it open a little more. Quinn’s hasn’t noticed me, so I take the opportunity to just lean against the door and observe. Because how can I not, when she’s holding Grace, rocking her, and my niece is looking up to her with all the wonderment in the world?

“I mean, on one hand, I’d love to live here. I never thought I could move back, but maybe I was being stubborn? My sisters are here, and they’re just the best. Just wait until you go shopping with Stella. And, I did always miss them when I lived in Arizona.”

Grace starts baby blabbering as if she’s answering Quinn. I have to bite my fist from saying anything, because I don’t want to interrupt, but this interaction is hitting me straight in the heart.

“I know. So many things. And! You’re here, and you’re just too adorable. I’ll also be really mad if I leave and then the next day you finally take your first step. Which, by the way, my phone battery is starting to lose steam because it’s always on just in case. So if you could hurry that up, that would be great.”

Until the diner incident, I hadn’t really thought about Quinn leaving. But that was purely out of denial on my part. I mean, the odds are against Rolling Hills for multiple reasons. But, the more she talks, maybe they’re more fifty-fifty?

Grace doesn’t answer this time, instead just reaches up for Quinn’s face and smooshes it. “See. How can I move away from this? No one else would smoosh my face.”

Quinn takes Grace’s hand, gives it a kiss, before her tone turns more serious.

“And of course, there’s your Uncle Porter. You two are kind of a package deal these days. And this needs to be our little secret, but I’d miss him too. I’d miss him a whole lot.”

She’d…miss me? Did she just say that?

I know I’m now officially in eavesdropping territory, and she’ll probably deny that she said it later, but I’d do it again to know that behind the strong walls Quinn puts up, that she’s also feeling a little of what I’m feeling.

Because if she left tomorrow, I’d do a hell of a lot more than miss her.

I’d ache for her. I’d beg, borrow, and steal from the devil to have her with me. In my house. In my bed. In my life.

Because somewhere along the way, sometime between hookups and touches, kisses and glances, laughs and tears, I fell in love with Quinn Banks.

Hell, I think I’ve always been in love with her. From the time I first met her in high school, I knew she was different. That mischievous smile took my breath away. The way she handled herself against anyone was admirable. Her humor? Undeniable.

Since she’s been back in town, I’m realizing now that I’ve fallen in love with her a little more every day. Getting to see her with Grace in moments like this. Laughing and brushing shoulders when we tend bar together. Seeing her genuine smile when she interacts with her sisters or the regulars. She’s a light. A star that doesn’t know how bright she burns.

And she could be gone in an instant.

“I don’t know, Miss Ma’am. What should I do? Do I go to a new district that probably has mean moms? Or do I stay in Rolling Hills and work at the school and deal with the mean moms here? Only these meanie heads know me from when I used to start rumors about them in school. In my defense, they deserved it, but still. Big Girl Banks can’t be the middle school librarian, can she?”

I don’t know if I accidentally said something, or if the universe just tapped Quinn on the shoulder that there’s a visitor, but at that moment, she lifts her eyes to mine. And I make sure I say everything silently that I need to.

Fuck yes you can.

Stay.

---