“Can someone tell me what’s going on?”Heath asked.
“The king of Glenloria will be here in an hour.”Quinn turned to her laptop.“I have to get away.”
“Are you sure you want to do that?”Sara said from her office door.“Sorry to put my nose in.When I heard the shouting, I came to see what was wrong.”
“I’m sorry to have brought my messed-up life to your home.”Quinn pulled the laptop tight against her chest.
“Whatever happens, you won’t be alone.”Heath put his arm around her shoulders again.
“Since the bio dad’s on his way here, why not meet him?”Sara asked, her words encouraging.
“And y-y-ou can d-d-do it on your t-t-turf,” Ezreal added as he came to stand by his wife.And he’d been looking at Quinn when he’d said it.Was the shy musician learning to trust her now?
“Myturf?”she asked.
“Mi casa es su casa,” Sara said, giving her husband an adoring grin.“At REKD Gaming, we’re a family.”
“We s-s-support each other.”
“Quinn,” Sara added quickly, “I can tell by the look on your face that you want to run, but I’d like to suggest another possibility.”
“What?”
“Well, it’s kind of nervy of the man to just drop in on you with only an hour’s notice.I imagine he assumes his arrival would surprise you enough to talk to him.So, tell him you’ll only meet him here.We already have a party planned, and the house will be full of people.Since you can’t do this in Washington with yours and Heath’s families around you, let us fill in for them.The man will see you have support here too.”
Heath thought it was a brilliant idea, but he looked down at Quinn for her response.
“What do you think?”she asked him.
“Well, I wish he hadn’t placed you in this position, but since he did, I think it’s a great approach.”
“I agree.”Viktor’s expression turned sheepish.“I know him, and you do not.After meeting him, you may then decide if you wish to speak to him alone.”
“I don’t want the children here for that, Viktor,” Ezreal said.
“I can have Rafe’s mom extend the play date.”Sara turned to Quinn.“But what do you think?”
“I like it.”She shook her head.“Actually, I hate it because I hate confrontation, but I get your point.All of your points.Could Joe come too?He can look so intimidating when he wants to.”
“Yes, he can,” Sara agreed, pulling out her phone.“Leave it to me.”
“With all of us here,” Heath said, “he can’t bully you, and it’ll give you a chance to see him in action.If you want, you can formally abdicate—” He looked at Viktor.“Canshe abdicate from being a princess?”The man shrugged, so Heath continued.“Anyway, I’d suggest not making a rush decision.Take whatever time you need to assess the situation.”
“I’m so glad you’re here.”Quinn slid her arms around his waist.
“So am I, my love.”
Sara and Ezrealtook care of informing the other owners.All four couples arrived in plenty of time to set up the food.
“What’s this?”Quinn asked Kayn’s wife, Sona.
“Bacon Cabbage Dippers.Eve let me borrow her oven.Mine won’t arrive for two more days.”
“Who’s Eve?”Quinn asked, sniffing at the plate.
“She’s Darius’s wife.He’s over the art department.”
“These smell yummy.Are they Korean?”
