Page 28 of Fragile Heart

“You think my couch is hideous?”

I give her a pointed look. “Quinn.”

She looks right back at me. “Hudson.”

“That couch is terrible, and you know it,” I tell her.

She sighs. “Maybe, but it has character.”

“Yeah, ok, weirdo.” She laughs, which does nothing to help the growing situation in my pants. “Are you off tomorrow?” If she thinks it’s weird that I know her off days, she doesn’t say anything.

“Yeah, but. . .” She trails off and sucks her bottom lip into her mouth. Jesus fucking Christ. It looks like I’ve got a date with my hand tonight.

“But what?” I pry, hoping she isn’t going to tell me she’s going on a date or something. We haven’t talked about partners, but surely she would’ve mentioned something by now. All she’d need to do is search my name on the Internet to find my relationship status.

“I have to make Holly cupcakes I promised her, and then she wants to go to this new thrift store when she gets off after lunch.”

“I’ll help,” I tell her. I don’t really care what we do. I just don’t want to be alone all day.

“You want to help me make cupcakes?” She cocks an eyebrow at me.

“Yeah. She’s mad at you because of me, so it’s only fair.” She nods like I’ve made a good point.

“Ok.”

“Can I come to the thrift store with you guys?”

The look on her face tells me I’m confusing the hell out of her. “Um, yeah. If you want.”

I nod in response, not feeling the least bit guilty that I’ve basically just invited myself to her girls’ day.

“Ok, well, just come over tomorrow morning then, and we’ll get started.”

I agree and give her my order because I actually am starving and came here to eat.

After I finish my sandwich, I head home to spend the rest of the evening alone, carving out time in my empty schedule to take care of myself so that I don’t try to maul her tomorrow.

Being alone all night has made me that much more eager to get to Quinn’s in the morning. I’m up at an ungodly hour and decide to go on a run before going to her apartment. The sun is just starting to rise, so I doubt she’s even awake yet.

I run through the side streets and up through Main Street. This place really does look like a scene out of a cheesy TV movie. I wouldn’t have believed a place like this really existed if I wasn’t seeing it with my own eyes.

Several dogwood trees are in full bloom surrounding the town square, and there are signs announcing a farmers’ market this weekend. This place is just too fucking perfect.

I only pass a few people walking their dogs on my run before making my way back to my house. I shower, get ready for the day, and drink coffee on my back porch.

I’ll admit it’s nice to sit out here and not hear cars speeding by on the interstate. I can actually enjoy the birds chirping.

I shake my head. If someone had told me three years ago that I would be sitting on a small porch in a tiny town in northern Georgia enjoying the fuckingbirds, I would’ve laughed in their face. I know I’m only here because of the movie, but I’m starting to like it, and it scares the hell out of me.

Once I’ve waited an acceptable amount of time, I lock up my house and make my way to Quinn’s.

As I rap my knuckles on her door, I get the distinct feeling that someone is watching me. I’m going to assume it’s the nosy neighbor Quinn was telling me about.

Quinn opens the door and lets me in. Her long hair is down today, which doesn’t happen often. I’ll admit, I really like when her hair is down. It’s so long and beautiful that for a moment, I think about how it would look wrapped around my fist. What am I thinking? This isQuinn, my friend, not some girl I’m fucking.

She ushers me into the kitchen and announces, “Welcome to Baking Showdown. I’m your host, Quinn Watson.”

I can’t stop the laugh that bellows out of me, and she looks stunned for a second but quickly shakes it off. After glancing around the small kitchen, I see she’s already got all the ingredients sitting out for easy access

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