“Are you going to be at the bar when she shows up?”
“No, I figured that I would let the two of them have a little time to talk alone at first. But I’m going to make an appearance for sure.”
Jordan nodded her approval.
“It’s best in that situation for the other person to witness you being present.”
Jordan seemed as though she had personal experience in this department. As if she could read Autumn’s mind, Jordan spoke up.
“When Reese and I first got together she was freshly out of a relationship. Once her ex noticed that Reese was doing well and moving on, she tried to come back into the picture,” Jordan explained.
“What did you do?” Autumn asked.
“Nothing. That was always Reese’s decision to make. Obviously, I wanted her to see the value in our very new relationship. But I was afraid that if I interfered Reese might always have unanswered questions.”
“Seems like she made a good decision,” Autumn offered.
“We’re getting married in a couple of months,” Jordan beamed a smile, and it was clear that she was happy.
Autumn returned Jordan’s smile. The woman’s admission did a lot to tamp down her nerves. Autumn was certain of the way that she felt for Quinn. There was no doubt inside her at all. She loved Quinn.
Autumn had never had these kinds of feelings for anyone else in her whole life. But had Quinn? Quinn had once told her that she hadn’t had any doubts about Rory. Not until the woman cheated on her at least. How did that translate now that she was with Autumn?
Everything inside of Autumn wanted to believe in Quinn and this new love they had created between each other. Still, there was no denying that there had been a time when Quinn was sure about Rory. A time when the two of them had loved one another, enough to be planning a life together. Rory had made some huge mistakes, unforgivable as far as Autumn was concerned. But she couldn’t shake the fear that Quinn would see Rory and her old feelings would come back. Autumn sighed, loudly enough that Madison heard her.
“What’s wrong?” Madison asked.
“What were Quinn and Rory like as a couple? You know before everything that Rory did. Did they seem happy? Did they go well together?”
Autumn hated herself for asking the questions and for needing the answers. Madison offered her a knowing look.
“Well, I don’t completely know how to answer that question. They were living in Vegas, and I was here in WaterColor. I honestly only saw them a handful of times while they were a couple.”
Autumn nodded in understanding.
“I would still love your thoughts.”
“They always seemed pretty smitten. But not necessarily in a way that was grounded in reality. Rory is a free spirit. She doesn’t like being tied down. So, the more they made plans together. The more Quinn tried to build a life with her, the more Rory pulled away. I don’t think they actually go well together for that reason.”
“So why do you think Rory is trying to win Quinn back now? After all these months, why not just go about living her own life?”
“I don’t know that Rory understands herself all that well. I think she sees Quinn on social media in a new place, with new friends, and building a new bar and thinks it all looks like a fun new adventure. I think there’s also probably a part of her that sees Quinn with a new girlfriend and wonders who you are? How did Quinn move on so fast? And I’m sure that part of her probably does miss Quinn. But I don’t think that the two of them together now would be any better than it was before.”
“What about Quinn and me, do you think we go together?” Autumn shuddered as the words came out of her mouth. She wasn’t prone to insecurity. But when it came to Quinn, Autumn felt like she genuinely had something to lose.
“I think you and Quinn have all the missing pieces that she didn’t have with Rory. And probably more. It’s still early days but being with you has made my friend so ridiculously happy,” Madison said without even a hint of doubt.
“Okay. It’s official. Madison and I are going to meet up with you at the bar tomorrow night. We’re all going to walk in together. Whatever happens, happens,” Jordan announced.
“Sounds fun. I’m in,” Madison grinned.
Autumn’s heart swelled.
“You guys would really do that?” Autumn asked.
“Absolutely. I need a night out. And you need some females to prop you up. I want you to walk in that bar with as much confidence as possible,” Jordan laughed.
Autumn offered the two women a huge smile. She knew that everything was going to work out. But having two strong females in her corner while she stared down Quinn’s ex, certainly couldn’t hurt.
