“I love our bubble too, but it’s time you burst it. I don’t mind having your mom here. I like her, and she even offered to help me with the renovations.”
Quinn laughed. “See? That’s what I mean. I swear, once she feels comfortable here, you won’t get rid of her easily. I love Mom, but she gets too involved sometimes.” Her phone lit up again, but this time, it was ringing.
Riley shook her head and grinned. “Let’s get this over with.” She took the phone from her and answered, “Riley Moore, Quinn’s girlfriend speaking.”
60
RILEY
“And just like that, I have another daughter-in-law.” Audrey looked emotional as she hugged Riley tightly. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
Her father wasn’t shy of a squeeze either, and he rubbed Riley’s shoulder after he finally let go of her. “Welcome to the family, Riley.”
“Thank you.” Riley chuckled nervously. As bold as she’d been on the phone, now she didn’t quite know what to say. “It’s nice to see you both again.” She held up two mugs and smiled. “Coffee?”
“Yes, please!” Audrey walked over to the kitchen window and peered out. “Did you give up your mooring space, Quinn? Are you neighbors now or have you moved in? Why didn’t you tell us?”
Riley glanced at Quinn, who blew out her cheeks while her mother fired off an arsenal of questions. “I’m telling you now, aren’t I? And no, I didn’t give up my mooring space. I’m just here now…sort of.”
“Hmm…” Audrey smirked. “I knew it,” she said. “I called it, didn’t I?”
“Yes.” Her father laughed. “She called it.” He turned to Riley. “So, how long have you two been dating?”
Riley frowned as she dug through her memory. They’d only been together for about five weeks officially, but things had started way before that. “I’m not sure,” she said. “It’s been a whirlwind, and it’s all a bit of a blur.”
“That’s what love does to people.” Audrey let out a sigh of delight. “Isn’t this wonderful? We’re sitting in the kitchen of Aster House with the lovely new owner who’s dating our daughter. You’re special. I could tell right away. Quinn is lucky to have you.”
“I’m the lucky one.” Riley gave her a sweet smile as she put down their coffees, then continued to make two for Quinn and herself while Quinn sliced the chocolate cake Riley had made. Her second attempt looked more like a cake and less like a turd but tasted just as delicious as the first. “She’s amazing and I’m crazy about her,” Riley added, then bit her lip and grinned when Quinn blushed and smiled at her sheepishly.
“Aww!” Audrey placed a hand over her heart and leaned into her husband. “Young love. Those were the days, right?” She patted his shoulder. “Sometimes I wish I could go back to that romance-filled era.”
“Hey, I still buy you flowers every Tuesday,” he protested. “And I cook for you all the time.”
“That’s true. He gets me flowers on his way back from pickleball practice on Tuesdays,” Audrey admitted. “I know I’ll get white roses at eight p.m., and that’s very sweet, but the spontaneity is somewhat lacking, don’t you think? And you’re the chef in the household, so it only makes sense that you cook.” She pointed at Quinn and continued before her husband had a chance to get a word in. “Enjoy the honeymoon phase, honey. And try to avoid routine because before you know it, you’ll get the same flowers every week and you’ll only have sex once a month for ten minutes on Saturday night.Ifyou’re lucky,” she added. “And then it becomes this thing where you just do it to—”
“Mom! I don’t want to hear about your sex life!” Quinn shot her mother an incredulous look. “And neither does Riley.”
“But, honey, I’m just explaining how important it is to keep intimacy—”
“Audrey…” Her husband stopped her. “Quinn is right. This is not the time or place to discuss such things.”
Riley listened with fascination and bemusement. Quinn had warned her about her mother, but she never imagined her to be so straightforward. Apparently, now that she was part of the family, nothing was sacred.
Audrey held up a hand. “Okay, okay. I thought we were all open-minded people here, but let’s drop the subject.” She turned to Riley. “Anyway, now that you’re dating Quinn, we’ll have plenty of opportunity to talk among ourselves.”
“Of course, anytime, Audrey,” Riley said with a chuckle. She didn’t mind Audrey being intrusive; she liked her and had felt a connection with her from the first moment they’d met. If anything, it was funny to see Quinn cringe as she plated the chocolate cake. “I’m just here working on the house, so drop in anytime you want.”
“Don’t give her ideas,” Quinn warned.
“Oh, stay out of it.” Audrey gave her daughter a playful slap on her behind, then took two slices of cake to the table and sat down. “Surely, Riley could do with some help. How’s the renovation going? It’s looking great, by the way.”
“Thank you, it’s going well,” Riley said. “Quinn’s been really helpful. In fact, she’s been a lifesaver, but there’s still a lot to do. I’m not in a rush. All in due time, but eventually, I’d love to start a bed-and-breakfast here, which means I’ll need to get everything looking beautiful and in perfect working order.”
“A bed-and-breakfast? I love that idea!” Audrey clapped her hands together. “It’s brilliant. Who wouldn’t want to stay in a mansion along the river rather than in one of the hotels in town?”
“That’s what I thought,” Riley agreed. “Aster House is a romantic place. I can see couples coming here. I’m not sure if I’m suitable to work in hospitality, though. I’ve never done anything like that.”
Audrey waved it off. “There’s nothing to it, honey. I can help you. I’ll teach you all the tricks of the trade, and if you ever need a part-time employee, I’m your person.”
