“Does it feel like home yet?”
“You know what? It does.” Riley smiled as she looked up at her. “It’s my first real home since I left my parents’ house.” She paused. “It’s strange. New York feels like a distant dream now, like it only happened in my imagination. I never took the time to go for a walk there or even take in my surroundings. I like being more mindful.”
“I’m glad you like it here,” Quinn said. “I obviously want you to stay.” She pulled Riley close, cherishing the smell of her shampoo and the warmth of her body as they crossed the drawbridge, passed the ice cream parlor, and continued onto the high street. “Can I show you the house I looked at? It’s been on my mind. I seem to be a little drawn to it after all, and it’s not far.”
“Of course. I’d love to see it.” Riley took in a deep breath. “The town smells different today.”
“Spring is in the air. It’s my favorite time of the year.” Quinn noticed the crowns of the trees along both sides of the street were full and green now, their branches reaching out like arms with bony fingers that almost met in the middle. “Mystic will be flooded with tourists soon. You’ll be surprised to see how busy it gets.” Quinn narrowed her eyes as they passed the bakery. She tended to avoid looking in, but knowing Lindsey had a date there earlier, she couldn’t resist glancing through the windows. “Wait! That’s Lindsey. Why is she still there?”
Riley followed her gaze. “Hmm. She had a date, right? I only see Martin.”
“Maybe her date left when Martin closed up.” Lindsey and Martin were sitting at the window table, and the sign on the door was turned to “closed.”
“Or maybe Marcellus stood her up,” Riley said. “I wouldn’t be surprised. He’s clearly not who he says he is.” She stopped and looked over her shoulder. “Poor Lindsey. Should we ask if she wants to join us for dinner later?”
Quinn lingered on the spot, then shook her head when she saw Lindsey laughing. “No. She looks fine to me, and something tells me we should leave them alone.”
“What? You think they like each other?” Riley lowered her voice and her eyes widened. “He was very chatty with her last time I met her there, but I didn’t get a flirty vibe from their conversation. He’s single, right? Or did he meet someone after…” She winced and stopped herself.
“After Rebecca? Not as far as I’m aware.” Quinn took her hand and grinned. “Who’s the gossip now, huh? You’ve only just moved here and you’re already speculating about possible matches.”
Riley chuckled and rolled her eyes. “Oh, God. You’re right. I’m turning into a gossip.”
“Don’t worry, it’s cute.” Quinn stopped and gestured to the house next to the candle shop. “That’s the one. What do you think?”
“That one? Oh wow, it’s gorgeous. It’s got character, and I love the blue windowsills and the old brick facade. I get why Lindsey wanted you to see it.” Riley glanced through the windows. “It looks like the owners are still living there.”
“The owner is an older lady on her own looking to downsize as she has trouble with the stairs. She’s not in a rush to sell, but Lindsey thinks it will be gone as soon as it officially goes onto the market.”
“So you’re contemplating going for it now?”
“I don’t know. I just feel like I’d be crazy not to,” Quinn said. “It’s the sensible thing to do.”
Riley nodded, and she looked like she wanted to say something but then changed her mind.
“You disagree?”
Riley shrugged. “I know I’m not one to speak, as I let my assistant pick my home, but if your heart’s not in it, maybe it’s better to wait? I bought Aster House on a whim, and I regretted it the moment I stepped through the gates.” She smiled. “I don’t regret it anymore, of course. I met you, and that’s been…well, honestly, it’s been the best thing that ever happened to me. But just think about it.”
Quinn returned her smile and cupped her face. Hearing Riley say that made her melt, and she was still pinching herself at how lucky she was to have met her. “I adore you,” she whispered and kissed her softly. A couple with a dog she vaguely recognized passed them, but she ignored them, and Riley didn’t seem to mind either as she pulled her in and kissed her back.
Riley moaned softly as she broke away. “Every time you kiss me, I go a little crazy,” she whispered. “I don’t know how you did it, but you have me, completely.” Her expression turned serious as she met Quinn’s eyes. “If this is as real to you as it is to me…” She took her hands and hesitated. “Well…then maybe it’s not a bad idea to wait with buying a place. We might want to live together, depending on how it goes between us.”
Quinn nodded. “Yeah. I’ve been thinking about that too, but I thought it might be too early to bring it up. I’m glad you mentioned it.”
“So you’re saying that’s something you might consider?”
“Of course. I want to be with you all the time.”
“Okay…” Riley’s smile widened, and her eyes sparkled with joy. “I happen to have a very, very big house that you happen to love.”
Quinn’s heart skipped a beat, and she squeezed Riley’s hands. “I don’t want you to think I’m with you for the house. We could look for something together in future and—”
“Hey, I know you’re not with me for the house,” Riley said, interrupting her. “We already spend most nights together, and the house is growing on me. I’d even go as far as to say I’m starting to love it, and if we both love it, then why would we even think about moving somewhere else together?” She paused. “We’ll probably both need some time, but the house isn’t going anywhere, and I’m not going anywhere.”
Quinn’s lips parted, and she stared at her while thoughts clouded her mind. It wasn’t as much the house that had her head spinning but the fact that Riley was just as serious about her, and that she wanted them to have a life together. Searching for words, it took her a while to realize someone was calling her name.
“Quinn! Riley!”
