The man on her other side spread out his hands, half-grinning at me. “I was shy back in those days. I didn’t want to just barge in if she wasn’t well. I was being a gentleman.”
“Hmph.” His wife shook her head. “I asked him if he was chicken shit, and well, I guess that got to him. He manned up and came over along with the food and Ted. Now, keep in mind, I was in pain, hungry and pissed off as hell at the jerk boyfriend—who was an ex after that day. My hair was a mess, and I was in old pajamas.” She sighed. “But I didn’t scare him off.”
“I thought she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.” Myles pressed a kiss to his wife’s cheek, which went pink at his words.
“Well, they say love is blind, you know.” Still, she rested her head on his shoulder. “Anyway, for the better part of a year, Myles and Ted came to visit me. And then I noticed Myles was coming without Ted. I was addicted to this television show, and Myles hated it, but he’d sit and not say a word. Each time we sat together on the sofa, I sat a little closer to him, not wanting to scare him away, but letting him know I was interested. One night, I got brave and laid my head down on his lap.”
“I thought I was going to have a heart attack.” Myles laughed.
“But he didn’t. He just starting playing with my hair, and I thought I never wanted to move from that spot.” Lara’s eyes shone. “About three weeks later, he finally asked me out on an official date. And a year later, we were married.”
“But she really only married me because her cat liked me,” Myles added.
“True. My cat was named Psycho, and he hated everyone. Attacked people as they came into the house. But he loved this one from the get-go.” Lara slid her hand into her husband’s fingers. “He’s my prince charming.”
“That’s a great story. It kind of give me hope, you know?” I thought about all of the history between Quinn and me and wondered if we’d ever be in a position to have a tale like this to tell. I was more anxious than ever to find her. “Thanks for sharing it with me.” I offered my hand. “I better get back to looking for my girl, so I have a chance to find the same kind of happy ending.”
“Good luck, son.” Myles shook my hand, and Lara beamed at us. “Don’t give up hope.”
I waved to the older couple and began to re-trace my steps, checking out the passing crowds. Of course, Quinn could have gone into the wax museum or the aquarium or any of the other attractions here, and it was unlikely I’d be able to hunt her down there. I’d just begun to think about plan B when my text alert vibrated.
Expecting an update or correction from Kara Crocker, I grinned when I saw Quinn’s name instead, along with a picture of the Fisherman’s Wharf sign. I couldn’t be certain, but it seemed as though she’d just gotten here ... which meant she was probably still up at the front, near the main entrance. Picking up speed, I wove among the crowd and began heading back there.
I’d worried about missing her in all the people. I’d been afraid that maybe I might not recognize her. But the minute I spotted her, sitting under a large shrub that had been cut into the shape of a giant crab, I knew that was my girl.
And in the middle of this city, thousands of miles from any place I’d ever lived, surrounded by strangers, I was suddenly home.
My mouth went dry. I wanted to run over and scoop her into my arms, holding her against me. I wanted to shout her name and watch her turn when she heard me. I wanted to just stand here, watching her while she was unaware of me, just taking in her every expression, all the nuances that made Quinn so unique.
She was eating an ice cream cone, I saw. She’d made it down far enough that it was all cone, with just a smidgen of green ice cream left. I remembered how many ice cream cones the two of us had shared over the years. When we were kids, Quinn had always been the most generous with her treats, offering me as many bites as I wanted. Later, when we’d dated, she’d turned eating ice cream cones into a sensual tease, licking and sucking with her lips and tongue while her eyes made promises until I’d been crazy with wanting her.
Without realizing I was doing it, I’d walked over until I stood behind her. I wasn’t sure what I was going to say until I reached out to touch her shoulder.
“Once upon a time, you used to save me at least a bite of your ice cream cone.”
She turned, her eyes wide. I waited, watching for a sign of how she felt, whether she was glad to see me, upset that I was here ... or any reaction at all. She blinked once, and the tip of her tongue darted out to run over her lips. I wanted to grab her, pull her body to mine and crush my lips against hers. But I knew I couldn’t make the first move. Or maybe make that thesecondmove, seeing as I’d just flown across the country just to see her. That was a pretty undeniable first move. Still, I fisted my hands and thrust them into my jean pockets to keep from touching her.
With a small cry, she half-jumped, half-stumbled toward me. I caught her, barely sliding my hands out of my pockets in time to wind my arms around her waist. She pressed herself against me, and every inch of my body came alive in awareness. Her soft breasts leaned into my chest and the curve of her waist fit under my palms. I felt more right than I had in way too long.
After a few moments, Quinn tilted her head back, her gaze sweeping over me. “Leo. I can’t believe you’re really here.” She gripped my arms. “You are, aren’t you? I didn’t eat something psychedelic in that ice cream, did I?”
Laughing softly, I brushed my knuckles over her cheek. “I can’t swear about the ice cream, but yeah, I’m here. Surprised?”
“Couldn’t you tell?” She rested her forehead against my shoulder. “How in the world did you find me?”
“It was a team effort. Tell you about it later.” I patted the duffel bag, still slung over my back. “I came right here from the airport. Think you can hook me up with a hotel, so I can ditch the luggage? And then maybe I can take you out for a late lunch. Or early dinner.” I nodded toward the end of the ice cream cone, which Quinn had dropped onto the ground in her rush to get to me. “That’s if you didn’t spoil your appetite with ice cream.”
“I didn’t. But you don’t need a hotel. I have an extra bedroom at my apartment.” Her eyes shone up at me. “That is, if you want to stay with me.”
“Of course I want to stay with you, Mia. But ...” I hesitated. “Do you think it’s a good idea?”
Her brows knit together. “You don’t?”
I took a deep breath. I’d thought about this from the minute I’d made the decision to come to California. But now, with families jostling around us and curious eyes and ears nearby, was not the time to have a discussion about sleeping arrangements.
Sliding my fingers into Quinn’s, I gave her hand a slight squeeze. “Why don’t we drop my bag at your apartment, and then we can talk over food? Take me to your favorite restaurant.”
She smiled, although I noticed some lingering worry in her eyes. “Okay. Come on. Let me show you a little of my new city.”
