Riley shot him a look of surprise. “Are you sure? You don’t mind doing other stuff than yard work?”
“No, I like keeping busy. You’re only my third client—and my biggest, I should add—so while I have the time, I’m always happy to help out with anything. I need the business since I’m a new starter and all that.” He smiled gratefully. “I’ve placed adverts left, right, and center, but getting new clients has been hard. If it wasn’t for Aunt Lindsey recommending me, I’d still be working at the retail park.”
“Well, you’ve got yourself a new, long-term client now. Your aunt’s right. You’re very good at what you do.” Hearing a car approach the gates, Riley looked behind her. “Wait a minute. That’ll be Tammy. I’m interviewing for a cleaner.”
“I know Tammy,” Gareth said. “She used to date my friend.” He waved at Tammy. “She’s a nice girl.”
“Is she any good?”
“I have no idea about the cleaning, but she’s certainly reliable.”
“Thanks. That’s very helpful.” Riley smiled. “Well, I’ll go meet Tammy and let you get on with things.”
38
QUINN
“Hi.” Quinn grinned sheepishly as she handed Riley the flowers. “I owe you another apology. I completely forgot I was supposed to help you clear up before I left last week. I wasn’t exactly with it after…” She paused. “You know.”
“That’s okay. It wasn’t much.”
Riley blushed and stared at the flowers that had taken on a whole different meaning since the last time Quinn had brought flowers. There had to be a lot of things going through Riley’s mind in that moment.
“Let me put these in water and I’ll be back in a minute.” She hesitated as her eyes met Quinn’s. “Or would you like to come in?”
“It’s okay. I’ll wait,” Quinn said, knowing there was no chance they wouldn’t fall into another kiss as soon as she stepped into that hallway. “You look beautiful, by the way.”
“Thank you. So do you.” Riley chuckled nervously as she looked Quinn over. “Can I say that? Or should I say attractive? I have no idea how this works.”
“You can say anything you want.” Quinn’s heart swelled at Riley’s innocent stammer. She clearly didn’t know how to handle the situation, and from what Riley had told her, she hadn’t dated that much at all, even when it came to men. Glancing into the hallway, she noticed the walls were stripped. “How on earth did you do that?” she asked, pointing to them when Riley returned.
“I used the ladder,” Riley said as if it was nothing. She looked stunning in a tight, black dress, high heels, and a black trench coat, and her lips were coated in a layer of red gloss that made Quinn’s core tighten. “I pulled it all the way out and could just about reach the top of the wall on my tiptoes.”
“Okay…that’s dangerous. You know that, right? The ceiling is way too high in the hallway to do yourself.”
“I put two mattresses underneath in case I tumbled off. It seemed excessive to hire scaffolding.” Riley shrugged cheerfully. “I managed, and I’m quite proud of myself.”
“You should be. But please don’t go up there again when you’re painting. I’m really not comfortable with that.”
“Are you worried about me?” Riley asked, closing the door behind her and crossing her arms as she walked. It wasn’t a cold night, but she didn’t seem to know what to do with her hands. Or maybe she wasn’t sure how to greet Quinn.
“Of course I’m worried when you pull stunts like that. I don’t want anything to happen to you.” Quinn kissed her cheek and put a hand on Riley’s back as she led them to her car.
“You’re sweet.” Riley blushed and smiled as she looked up at her. “Is that yours?” she asked, pointing to the Chevrolet.
“Yeah. I don’t use it very often.” Quinn chuckled as she opened the door for her. “I wouldn’t let you climb into a pickup wearing a dress like that. It would be sinful.”
Riley laughed and straightened her dress as she settled in the passenger’s seat. “My first date in years… This is quite the night.”
Quinn slid into the driver’s seat. “Because you’re going on a date with a woman?” she asked as she started the engine.
“Yes…” Riley began. Quinn headed down the long drive and onto the main road, then took a left toward the drawbridge. “But mostly because I’m going with you,” Riley eventually continued. “I’m excited. Where are we going?” She shook her head. “Not that it matters. I would happily have dinner on your barge or in my kitchen.”
“I wanted to take you somewhere nice. There’s a fish restaurant at the end of the pier by the harbor—The Harbor House. It’s the one my parents used to run.” Quinn smiled as she glanced sideways at Riley. “It’s still very good. My mother claims they’ve gone downhill since it was taken away from them, but I disagree. Don’t tell them we’ve been there, though, when you see them again. She’s practically banned me from setting a foot in there. It would be a betrayal.”
“I won’t say a word.” Riley met her eyes with an amused look. “WhenI see them again? You mean when the auditor comes to value the wine collection?”
“Not just that. They really liked you. Both my mother and my brother have been telling me to bring you to their homes for dinner. They want to return the favor.” As she crossed the bridge, Quinn took her hand off the steering wheel for a moment and placed it on Riley’s arm. “It’s nothing official, I promise. They don’t know we’re going out tonight, so no pressure. They just thought you were a lovely woman, that’s all, and they want to thank you for your kindness.”
