Page 10 of 518 Hope Ave
"Well, here we are," she breathes, turning back to face me as she unlocks her car with a press of her key fob.
I lean in to pull her door open for her, feeling it’s the gentlemanly thing to do. But Quinn obviously mistakes my movement for something else when suddenly, our lips meet. Shock floods my senses, causing me to freeze up while the knowledge that this gorgeous woman—my long-time crush—is actually kissing me sinks in. It takes a few beats, but then just as suddenly as our lips connected, a red-hot fire ignites from within me and I react.
My hand curls up behind her head, fingers fisting into her hair as I kiss her back with a passion I didn’t know I was capable of. My mouth moves against hers as if that was what I was made to do. Our kiss feelsright. This feelsright.She feels right.
With a whimpering moan, she wraps her arms around my neck, and I tug our bodies even closer, pressing her against the side of her car as my dick throbs in my pants. And despite all the food in my belly, a different yet intense hunger takes hold, and all I can think of is peeling every bit of clothing from Quinn’s delectable body and having my way with her—not that I’d really know what to do...
"Oh, my gosh!" A giggle cuts through the cool night air, throwing a bucket of cold water over our passion and causing us to jump apart. My face erupts into flames as I turn back to the house and scowl.
"Go to sleep, Cora!" I yell, but then I just smile and shake my head. “I’m so sorry about that.”
Quinn giggles as she places her hands in her face then drops them to her sides. “Don’t be. It’s fine. But maybe next time you’re free I can make you dinner at my place?" she suggests, a glossy glimmer of hope in her eyes.
I grin, wanting thatverymuch. "I'd really like that," I say, taking her hand in mine and running my thumb over the soft skin at her knuckles. She blushes enough that I can see it under the streetlights.
"How about…Friday?"
“Friday…” I scratch the back of my head, wondering if I’ll be able to get a sitter or if I can trust Lucas and Cora on their own.
"Yes, he'll do it!" Cora's voice squeals from inside the house.
Before I can yell at Cora again, Quinn laughs, and I can’t help but laugh along with her. “Friday it is then,” I say, reaching out to open her door for her.
"It's a date," Quinn says with a smile as she gets in then turns to me with a look I have never seen before...but one I like. "Bye, Ez.”
"Bye, Quinn," I say with a nod, and I shut the door for her, stepping back.
She turns on the engine and drives off into the night. I simply stand there on the sidewalk, watching her go. I didn't want her to leave. I just...wanther. All of her.
"Whoa," I say in a breath once her car is out of sight. Tonight has been a dream come true. Never in my wildest ones did I think a woman like Quinn would ever be interested in a mess like me. Now, I just have to try and not fuck it up. It’s times like these when I really wish my dad was still here. I could go to him for advice…
9
Quinn
"Ifeel pretty!" I belt out, singing at the top of my lungs as I try to put my mascara on.
My heart feels light, and I've been giddy like a schoolgirl all day. Even Sarah noticed that something was up while we were collating the weekly newsletter at school today. She was hell-bent on trying to get me to talk, but I didn't budge. I know I'm super attracted to Ezra Taylor, but I'm not going to be broadcasting it to this little town before we've even had our first date.
"Hee hee. A date!" I say to my reflection, putting on the finishing touches to my makeup, going for a more natural look. I didn't think going hard out on the makeup tonight was a good idea, especially since it's just the two of us having a low-key dinner at my place.
There’s a man coming to call!
I twirl then give myself a once over in the mirror, feeling like a fox and blowing myself a kiss. I burst into a fit of giggles while noticing the depth of my blush. "You'resosmitten, Quinn Hartsworth! What's going on?" I say, shaking my head at myself.
I head to the kitchen to get started on dinner. I'm not an amazing home cook, but I do know how to make a mean carbonara, and you're damn right I'm gonna show that off tonight.
Covering my dress with an apron, I sing about basically every single step I take while I cook—chop up some ham, do do do. Stick it in the pan, fry fry fry. Add the cream, tra la la. Pasta in the water, bubble, bubble, bubble—and I dance around the kitchen and set up my dining table while I wait for everything to come together.
Oh gosh, I hope he likes carbonara… I should have asked!
The dread quickly passes as my kitchen timer beeps, telling me that it’s the end of the pasta’s cooking time. The house smells of starchy, creamy, hammy goodness and my stomach is absolutely in a rage. I check the clock on my oven—quarter to seven. He should be here any minute now, so I make quick work setting everything up on the dining table, place some covers over the pasta and carbonara sauce to keep it warm.
“Should I light some candles?” I ask myself out loud as I make a box with my fingers, looking at the dining table to see how picture perfect it is.Would it be too much? Would that scare him off? Am I overthinking this?
“Hmm, maybe not…” I decide, removing my apron and dropping it in my hamper. While I do want our first date to be as perfect as possible, I don’t want to freak the poor guy out by going too overboard.
After doing a final check that everything is as perfect as can be, I glance at the clock on my phone—seven-oh-five.He’s late.I check the front window and see no car pulling up to the curb or driving along the street. “Don’t panic. He’s just a little late,” I reassure myself.
