Page 67 of No Turning Back
He grins, already pulling out his phone. A swipe, and he’s holding up the screen. Parker and Emmett, grinning, with two little girls squirming in their arms.
“They’re beautiful,” I breathe.
“They really are.” His pride glows brighter than the porch light. Then he pushes to his feet. “Anyway, we gotta run. Keep in touch this time, Quinn. For real.”
I nod. “I will.”
“The next time we invite Sam, you’d better come with him.”
“I will.”
He starts down the steps, then glances back over his shoulder. “Landon would love to see you too.”
The name tugs a smile out of me. Landon, the joker in our foursome. God, I’ve missed him. Missedallof them.
I lift my hand in a wave as the truck pulls out of the drive, headlights fading into the dark.
By the time Sam makes his way back up from the truck, the yard feels quieter, emptier. We walk inside together, the moment bittersweet.
“They even cleaned,” I say, nodding at the loaded dishwasher.
“Are you okay?” Sam asks, ignoring my words.
I sink onto a stool at the island, fingers drumming against the counter. “It’s weird. All this time I blamed you guys… while you never stopped having my back.”
He gives me a small smile. “You’re our teammate, Quinn. For better or worse.”
My throat tightens, a sob pressing just beneath the surface. I force a shaky smile instead. “Oh, I forgot to tell you. Markus signed the papers.”
Sam’s head jerks up. “What?”
“Yeah.” I laugh a little, disbelieving even now. “Out of the blue. He just signed the original terms. My lawyer says the divorce should be finalized in less than two weeks.”
“Quinn, that’s amazing,” Sam says, his face breaking into the kind of smile I haven’t seen in months.
I nod, biting my lip.
“What changed his mind?” he asks.
I shrug, shoulders loose in defeat. “Honestly? No idea.”
He smiles. “Just two more weeks.”
I nod. “Just two more weeks.”
Then I glance around. “Where’s Blue?”
Sam frowns, scanning the kitchen.
“Oh God.” We lock eyes and without a word, bolt in opposite directions.
I tear through the house, checking every corner, while Sam rushes outside. Rationally, I know not seeing her isn’t exactly panic-worthy… but the last time she chased Kate’s car all the way to the highway. We can’t risk it.
Ten breathless minutes later, Blue comes bounding in through the back door, tail wagging furiously, Sam trailing behind her.
“She was barking at the gate,” he says, bent over, catching his breath.
I crouch low, ruffling her ears. “You’re such a bad girl.”
