After a quick check to make sure the back door was locked, she started to shut the lights off when the overhead bell chimed.
She hurried out of the breakroom and came to an abrupt halt when she discovered who it was. “Brett.”
“Hello. For a minute there, I thought I had already missed you.” He held up a pink bag. “I happened to be passing by the little art gallery you and I stumbled upon last time we were in Toronto together. Wouldn’t you know…the watercolor you were eyeing was still for sale, so I snatched it up.”
Quinn reached for the bag and peeked inside. She removed the ocean scene, waves gently rolling onto shore. Turquoise waters. The sun dipped low on the horizon, with a backdrop in hues of pink, purple and dark blue.
“You said it reminded you of Fort Myers. If I remember correctly, you have an empty spot on your living room wall, near the lamp we found while Christmas shopping in those antique stores near Harbourfront Centre.”
“How sweet of you. Thank you.” Quinn bounced onto the tips of her toes, intending to kiss his cheek.
Brett turned at that precise moment and leaned in. His kiss was warm, tender, full of love, and her heart melted.
He placed his hand on the back of her head and drew her even closer; the kiss deepening.
All thoughts of hurt feelings and rejection vanished. Brett was there forher.
Finally, she pulled away, breathless. “I do believe your kiss curled my toes.”
“In a good way,” he huskily replied.
“The best.” Quinn cradled the bag. “I thought you would be home.”
“I stopped by earlier to drop my bags off. Jeff Blakely is coming to visit Tristan. Grandmother and Morgan offered to hang out with them tonight, which gave me some free time to spend with the love of my life.” Brett ran a light hand along her arm. “What are the chances of me persuading you to join me for dinner?”
“Excellent. I’ll need to let Esther out.”
“It will give me a chance to help you hang your artwork. How does sampling the new seafood restaurant sound?”
“We’ve been talking about trying it.”
Brett helped Quinn slip her jacket on. “I heard their sea scallops are amazing.”
“Yum, yum.” She made quick work of locking the gallery’s front door and took Brett’s arm, strolling along the sidewalk to his sedan parked a few feet away.
She reached for the door handle. He stopped her. “It’s date night. Allow me to open your door, madame.”
Quinn lowered her eyelids. “Yes, sir.” She slid onto the leather seat and waited for him to make his way around.
It was a quick drive to her rental cottage, only a few blocks away. Once again, he insisted on opening her door and taking her arm.
Esther stood at the window, her tail wagging ninety miles an hour when she spotted them.
“There’s my girl,” Quinn cooed. “Guess who stopped by to see you?”
Brett greeted the pup, giving her back scratchies. “We’re not staying long, but if you let us sneak out to grab a bite to eat, we’ll bring you back a surprise.”
“I’ll go find my toolbox.” Quinn tracked down her toolkit and returned to the living room. “I’ve been wondering what I should put in that bare spot.”
He held the frame against the wall. “Is this high enough?”
“Perfect.” She gave him a thumbs up.
He finished hanging it, and the couple stood back to admire the ocean scene.
Quinn snuggled closer, resting her head on his shoulder. “I’ll think of you every time I look at it.”
Brett caressed her cheek. “I’ve missed you.”
