“Yeah, I do. Though it feels different than how it did with Grace… I can’t explain it. With Quinn it’s more… passionate, somehow.”
“Passionate is the best kind of love.”
“You can love people in different ways and for different reasons, it doesn’t mean you love them anymore and any less. It’s just different,” Tori adds. “I should know, I’ve been around the block more times Elizabeth Taylor.”
We all laugh.
“Dwight, will you give me a hand in the kitchen for a minute?” my mom asks.
“Sure.” I follow her into the kitchen where she pulls the door shut. “What do you need a hand with?”
“Nothing, I just wanted to talk to you, privately.” She hesitates before continuing. “It’s not my place to interfere, but… have you told Quinn the truth?”
My heart sinks. This is the subject I’ve been dreading. “No. Not yet.”
“Don’t you think she has a right to know?”
“Of course she does, I just don’t know how.”
“You need to do it soon, it’s not fair to keep it from her. If you truly see a future with this girl, she needs to know.”
“I know, and I will.” I just have to wait for the right time, it’s not just something you drop into everyday conversation.
Of course she has a right to know, but it’s going to break her heart and I don’t think I can handle losing her.
I excuse myself to use the bathroom, and once I’m done, I can’t help but slow to a stop outside Lissy’s bedroom that she used on nights when she sleeps over, curiosity getting the better of me. Through the small crack in the door I can hear their voices and their laughter.
“What should we dress her up in?” Lissy asks Quinn.
“Um… I think this one should have the pink dress with the glitter,” I hear Quinn say.
A smile creeps up onto my face as I imagine the scene playing out on the other side of the door. Lissy and Quinn sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by a sea of dolls and costumes, shoes and other accessories to dress them up in. To say Lissy is spoilt is an understatement. I don’t think I’ve ever met a child with so many toys. But then, sheisan only child, after all.
“Are you and Uncle Dwight gonna get married?” Lissy asks and my interest peaks. I get closer to the gap in the door to hear more clearly.
“It iswaytoo soon for that!” Quinn answers.
“But you love him, right? So why wouldn’t you get married?”
There’s a pause. “Yes, I love him.”
My heart swells so big I swear it’s going to burst straight through my chest, it’s beating so fast I can hear the rhythmic thump in my ears.
Quinn loves me.
Tears prickle at the backs of my eyes at her confession.
I love you too, Quinn.
“But Lissy,” Quinn continues, “your uncle and I haven’t known each other for very long, marriage is a big step and it’s a little too soon for us to be thinking about that right now.”
“Do you promise to make me a flower girl when youdomarry Uncle Dwight?”
I hear Quinn giggle. “Yes, I promise.”
“And promise that when you and Uncle Dwight get married and you make lots and lots of babies, that I’ll always be your friend?”
“Without a doubt.”
