She stared at their hands. They fit together awfully easily. “What about … love?” She almost choked on the word. Her family didn’t throw around the L word. She could count on one hand the number of people she’d said the L word to. She didn’t actually know if she’d ever said it to her father.I’m proud of you.Good job.Nice work.Those were easy to say. ButI love you? Never.
A light dimmed in his eyes, and Ginny wondered if a woman had broken his heart while she was away. Had he fallen hard for someone only to have her leave him? An iron claw gripped inside of her—one made of jealousy and protectiveness. The woman was stupid and didn’t deserve Quinn.
“I watched my dad chase after love like it was a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. What good did it ever do him?” He smiled warmly and her insides went gooey. “I’d rather have a solid … friendship … than love like that. Wouldn’t you?”
She’d questioned her own father’s taste in women when he married Jillian. She wasn’t horrible as far as stepmothers went, but she had a cruel side that Dad hadn’t seen. He was blinded by love. Yeah, marriage to a best friend was a much better idea. “I can see your point.”
He signaled for the salesman. “We’ll take it.” He passed over a black credit card with no numbers listed on the front.
Ginny shook her head. “You didn’t even ask the price.”
He lifted a shoulder. “I saw the way you looked at it; price doesn’t matter.”
She leaned her head on his shoulder. “You are too good to me.” A deep sense of peace filled her from the bottom of her feet all the way to the tip of her head, letting her know that marrying Quinton was the right thing to do. Who needed love? She had a friend for life.
Quinton pressed a kiss to her hair. His lips were warm and his breath brushed her temple as he pulled away. Butterflies took flight and her palms grew moist. Their arrangement was one of convenience, but a part of her wanted more. They’d shared a kiss that made all other kisses seem weak. She glanced up at him, studying his strong jawline, wanting to trace it with more than just a glance.
Clasping her hands in her lap, she scolded herself for thinking along those lines. Quinn was right: infatuation would get them nowhere. What they had was stable. True. Safe. There was no need to go throwing things like mind-blowing kisses into the mix.
Chapter Twelve
Quinton
Quinton breezed into Avery’s kitchen, not bothering to knock on the sliding door. Tonight was family dinner night, and they all gathered at her place to make burgers, sweet potato fries, and a salad. Their neighbor in The Cove, Jetton Bolt, had recommended that Ben and Avery cook with their children three times a week to help smooth the process of blending their family. Ben’s chef was around to answer questions and often joined in the fun. But at least once a week they gathered at Avery’s place; the smaller kitchen made the process feel extra homey. After the wedding, when Avery and Landon moved into Ben’s house, they’d sell this place.
It was too bad they wanted to sell. Quinton liked the townhome with its teal wall in the living room, open floor plan, and large island.
“Hi!” Savannah ran around the island and hugged his middle. He held her close, knowing she wouldn’t be little forever. At twelve, she was already so tall.
“’Sup?” asked Landon. He offered a fist bump. A year younger than Savannah, he was already on theI’m-too-cooltrack to teenager-dom.
Quinn gave him knuckles and then grinned at Avery and Ben behind the counter. “I need proposal ideas. And it’s got to be good.”
Ben choked on the soda he’d just taken a drink from, spraying the sink.
Avery patted his back and handed him a dish towel. “At least that one didn’t land on me.” She winked at her fiancé.
Quinton held up his hands. “I take it back. I don’t want advice from you, dude. You royally messed up your guys’ first date.”
Ben dabbed at his chin. “A fluke, I assure you.” He tossed the towel into the hamper by the garage door and wrapped an arm around Avery. “Besides, I got the girl, didn’t I?” He nuzzled her neck, making Avery giggle.
The kids exchanged a look and rolled their eyes.
Quinn lowered his eyebrows. The giant green monster was doing his best to take over as he watched the lovebirds flirt and kiss. They had it all. He wanted that with Ginny, but when she’d asked if he’d rather forego their arrangement to find someone he could fall in love with—meaning she wasn’t that person—he’d resigned himself to being the only one in love in their marriage. Of course he wanted love. He wanted it with her. But she acted like that was beyond the realm of possibilities for the two of them.
Quinn slid his hands over Savannah’s and Landon’s eyes. “Hey, you two, let’s keep it G in here.”
They broke apart, sharing looks that would burn the fries with their heat.
“Thank you!” Landon said, exasperated. Quinn removed his hands and laughed.
Avery smiled at him, ruffling his hair as she passed by on her way to the sink.
Quinn contemplated opening a window to let all the hormones out. “Anyway.” He paused for effect. “Proposal ideas, people.”
“What’s going on?” asked Avery as she washed a head of iceberg lettuce in the sink.
Ben peeled carrots into the other side of the sink. “Remember the marriage pact? At least, I’m assuming that’s what this is about.”
