“Thank you. It’s really good to see you.” Riley wiped her cheeks. Yes, she should have told him and Jane. She should have shared her life with them, the good and the bad. She should have understood how important family and mutual support was, how precious time was, and how precious life was. It wasn’t too late. “I love you, Dad,” she said.
“I love you too, honey.” Her father smiled at her, then glanced up at Aster House. “Look at you. My little princess in her castle. How are you feeling?”
“Good. Much better.” She smiled bravely. “I’m going to be okay, Dad. How are you?”
“Not too bad either.” He winked at her. “Turns out one is never too old to learn a new sport. I’ve been playing pickleball.”
“You’replaying pickleball?” Riley chuckled. Her first thought was to suggest he could play with Quinn’s father before she remembered he had no idea she was living with a woman. She looked over her shoulder when she heard Quinn and Mindy approaching and widened her eyes at Jane.
“Don’t worry, I already filled him in,” Jane said with a grimace. “I thought it might be best to tell Dad about you and Quinn so you wouldn’t freak out when he suddenly showed up. I hope that’s okay. I’ve been reading up on this stuff, and it’s not okay to ‘out’ someone but I—”
“No, it’s fine,” Riley interrupted her. “If you’re okay with it?” She turned to her father, unsure why she’d said that. It wasn’t like she needed his permission, but she wanted him to be comfortable.
“I’m still shocked,” he admitted. “But I’m just glad that you’re okay, and I want to meet your lady friend.” He rubbed her shoulder. “I assume that’s her, with little Miss Mindy in tow?”
Riley had no chance to answer because Mindy screamed at the top of her lungs, “Grandpa!”
Her father bent over to pick Mindy up. “Hey there, Mindy chubby cheeks. I thought I’d join you on your vacation. Is that okay?”
Mindy giggled as he kissed her cheeks and tickled her. “I have a pool and a boat!” she yelled. “Will you come on the boat with me, Grandpa? It’s a cruise ship, and I’m the captain and Quinn is the co-captain.” She tapped the white baseball cap she was wearing. Quinn had written the words “Captain Mindy” with a marker; Riley had a feeling Mindy would even wear it to bed.
Her father laughed, and it felt so good to hear that familiar, roar of joy again. Riley hadn’t heard him laugh since her mother was alive, but he was in good spirits today.
“Well, that sounds exciting.” He smiled at Quinn. “Will you introduce me to your co-captain first?
71
QUINN
“Riley looked so much better.” Lindsey glanced at Quinn sideways as she steered the car toward the drawbridge. “And how nice that her father was there. I loved meeting him.”
“Yeah, he’s a great guy. They’re actually a lot more alike than I thought they’d be. They have the same mannerisms, and even their laugh is the same, although his is quite a bit louder.” Quinn opened the window to let in the river breeze. “So, since you whisked me away, are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
“Not yet. I don’t want you to run off.”
“Well, that’s filling me with confidence,” Quinn said, arching a brow. “Should I just jump out now?”
“Don’t be so dramatic, it’s not a big deal.” Lindsey turned onto the high street and stopped in front of the bakery. It was normally closed on Sundays, but Quinn saw the lights were turned on.
“No. Seriously, Lindsey. You can’t do this to me.” Quin shook her head and held up a hand. “I am so happy for you and Martin. I genuinely mean that, but he’s not going to want me there.”
“How do you know? It was his idea.” Lindsey switched off the engine and turned to her. “Look. I want Martin to be a part of my life. I mean every part of my life, and that includes you. You’re my best friend, and I want to be able to invite you over to dinner and bring him to social events without having to worry about tension. He’s willing to talk and make amends because he’s a good man and he wants me to be happy.” She paused. “So will you please do this for me?”
Quinn blew out her cheeks and covered her face in her hands. “Are you sure he wants to talk to me? I know you so well. You tend to make things up to get your way.”
“Yes. I’m sure.” Lindsey jutted out her bottom lip, and Quinn caved in.
“Five minutes,” she said. “But if it gets awkward, I’ll excuse myself, okay? He’s got every right to hate me, and I’ve accepted that.”
“He doesn’t hate you. At least, not anymore,” Lindsey added with an uncomfortable chuckle. “Come on. Five minutes.”
* * *
An hour later and Quinn was still at the bakery. Martin, of course, had no idea she was coming; he’d thought he and Lindsey were going to bake a chocolate cake together for Lindsey’s mother’s birthday. As expected, Lindsey’s prepared speech had been highly awkward, and the start of their conversation had been rusty, but they’d said what they needed to say, and Quinn appreciated being given the time to make a genuine apology.
“Again, I’m so sorry,” she said. “Nothing I can say or do will turn back the clock. I acted selfishly, and there’s no excuse for that.”
“I don’t want to go back.” Martin shrugged. “I want to be with Lindsey, not with my ex-wife. I’m very, very fond of Lindsey. I have been for a long time,” he said, turning to Lindsey with a shy smile, “and although I’m also a little angry that she lured me into this situation, it was probably time we talked because she’s right. If you’re her best friend and I’m her…” He hesitated. “Partner?”
