“So, what have you guys been up to today?” Quinn tapped the table and looked from Lila to Tommy and back, then laughed when they fired off at the same time.
“I went to Christina’s house,” Lila said. “And we dressed up and went into town in our fairy costumes. Christina’s mom said we could keep them on while we got ice cream.” She grinned widely, exposing her two missing front teeth.
“I went to baseball practice,” Tommy shouted, making sure his voice was louder than his sister’s. “And we lost, but our coach said it was okay and that we should focus on tomorrow.”
Quinn laughed. “That’s right. Keep practicing and focus on tomorrow.” She turned to Lila. “And good for you, honey. Getting ice cream in a fairy costume sounds like great fun.” A waiter brought over two big Cokes for the kids and a beer for Quinn, and as she thanked him, she spotted a woman being seated at the small table by the pillar. She was on her own and looked out of place with her black suit and dark, blow-dried hair that was styled to perfection as she ordered faster than the speed of light, confusing the waitress. She was attractive, for sure, but Riley already had an idea of who she might be and had no intention of going over there and welcoming her to Mystic.How childish.Yes, she was being childish, but this flashy New Yorker had just bought Aster House and Quinn was pretty sure she’d rip out all its beautiful imperfections until there was nothing left but a white, characterless carcass.
“Can we have ice cream?” Lila asked.
“I thought you already had ice cream today.”
“I didn’t,” Tommy chipped in. “So, I’ll have two and Lila can have one, and then we’re even.”
“No! That’s not fair.” Lila stuck her tongue out and was about to head into a tantrum, but Quinn intercepted.
“If you can manage to finish that big-ass pizza I just ordered, you can both have as much ice cream as you like, okay?” Quinn wasn’t even making false promises; neither of the kids would be able to finish the biggest pizza on the menu and they’d soon be sleepy and ready to drive back home to bed. Her brother and Mary were on a date tonight, and she’d promised to put the kids to bed and stay there until they came home.
The woman looked up at her, and their eyes met for a moment. The woman’s gaze was mildly accusing, as if Quinn were invading on her privacy, and she wondered what she was thinking. Even though she was pretty sure this was Riley Moore, there was no way Riley Moore knew whoshewas.
A message came in on her phone, and she picked it up to check it.
“Is that Mom?” Lila asked.
“No, honey, it’s not.” Riley chuckled when she read the message from Lindsey.
Sorry! I’ve been so busy that I completely forgot to fill you in on the details!! Yes, she’s seriously hot (Miss Aster House), even by my straight standards. Very corporate though. Probably not your type and anyway, I doubt she swings that way.
The message was followed by a wink emoji and lots of hearts, and Riley turned her phone away from Lila, who was curiously glancing at her screen.
“Who’s that?”
“It’s Lindsey from the realtor’s office. Remember my friend Lindsey? You met her a few times on my boat. We made cakes together.”
Lila nodded and grinned again. “I like Lindsey. Daddy says you like her too.”
“Oh, does he now?” Quinn arched a brow at her niece. “Of course I like Lindsey. She’s a good friend. You like your friends, don’t you?” Quinn couldn’t help but wonder what kind of conversations took place in her brother’s household. Just because she happened to have a close friend who was a woman didn’t mean there was any romance between them, but Rob couldn’t help himself.
Hot: agree. She’s sitting right here, if she is who I think she is (at Mystic Pizza with the kids). And yes, not that I’m interested, but I doubt she swings my way. Drinks tomorrow?
Again, the woman looked at her, but then their larger-than-life pizza arrived, and the kids shrieked in excitement, distracting Quinn from the beautiful, unwelcome stranger.
“It’s bigger than the moon!” Tommy said, attacking his side.
“It’s bigger than Daddy!” Lila burst out in giggles and reached for the ketchup bottle on their table.
“Bigger than Daddy? Are you sure about that?” Quinn helped her with the ketchup, then handed the bottle to Tommy, who insisted on doing everything himself.
“Yeah.” Lila stuffed a huge chunk of pizza into her mouth and chewed while she stared at the lone stranger. “Aunt Quinn,” she said through a mouthful. “That woman is alone. Can I ask if she wants to sit with us?”
“Shh… It’s okay, Lila. Some people like to eat alone.” Quinn kept her voice down, but the woman had heard them, so Quinn had no choice but to smile at her. “Sorry,” she said. “Kids…”
“It’s fine, don’t worry.” The woman turned to Lila. “I’m not lonely, sweetie. I’m just hungry, so I came in for a pizza.” She laughed at Lila’s full cheeks and ketchup-covered chin. “You certainly look hungry too.”
“We’re going to eat this whole pizza and then I’m having ice cream,” Lila mumbled. “Do you want some pizza?” Quinn tapped Lila’s thigh under the table, but Lila didn’t get the hint. “You can sit with us.”
Sweet, sweet Lila. Always looking out for other people.Quinn loved her heart of gold, but tonight, she wished her niece would concentrate on her food rather than on the woman she was trying to avoid.
“That’s very sweet of you, but my food is coming.” The woman sipped her red wine and turned to Quinn. “I’m Riley. I’m new to Mystic. I just moved here.”
