Dad swung, sending an arch of sand into the air. His ball landed three inches from the hole. “Not bad for an old man.” He grinned, but his smile faded when he looked closer at Quinton. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah.” He’d take the information from Jamon and let it die with him. If Ginny ever asked what happened, he could tell her the guy was interested and get them in touch with one another. He said goodbye and grabbed his putter. “I’m up.” He was farther from the hole.
Dad marked his ball’s position and backed away.
Quinn lined up his putt. His phone dinged, indicating that Jamon had sent him the contact information. He tapped the ball and missed, sending his ball skipping to the other side of the green. With a groan, he headed that way to try again.
“Stop thinking about your girlfriend and concentrate on the game.” Dad shoved him as he walked by. The gesture was so much like something a frat brother would have done that it took Quinn off guard.
Quinn laughed uneasily. “Tomorrow night’s the engagement party. I’ve got a lot on my mind.”
“Look, love isn’t that hard. You tell her you adore her. You make her a priority, it all runs smooth.”
Quinn bit back his first response of “Is that how you treated Mom?” because they were mending bridges today. Instead, he nodded to let Dad know he’d heard and then sank his putt. He would tell Ginny he loved her, and then they’d set a date for the wedding and this whole InfantPure misunderstanding would be swept away in the sands of time.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Quinton
As far as assignments for the engagement party went, Quinton got the lightest load out of everyone. All he had to do was put on a suit and show up. Burgess picked out what he was to wear, gave him a shave and a haircut, and pronounced himacceptable enough for polite society.
Quinn laughed at Burgess’s version of praise. “Thanks.”
He had the driver take him to Ginny’s historic mansion on Capitol Hill. The house sat on the corner lot with the front walkway starting at the intersection. The front door faced the corner as well, and the house was built out to the sides.
Several stories high, the building was covered in brick with big windows framed in cream-colored wood. Every time he came here, he had a feeling of stepping back in time where things were simpler and moved at a slower pace. That was probably what had attracted Ginny to buy the house. She was always saying time slipped away from her like a thief in the night.
A maid opened the door before he knocked, inviting him inside. The front entryway was lined in soft wood paneling with sconces that gave off a warm glow. To the right was a library, and to the left was a family room. The centerpiece was the original hand-carved oak balustrade leading to a balcony on the second floor.
Quinton’s eyes followed the stairs up and up until his breath caught in his chest as Ginny appeared, wearing a cream lace dress. The fabric hugged her curves and flared out at the bottom like a mermaid’s tail. The scallop of the lace made a cap sleeve. The same scallops created a stunning sweetheart neckline. If he hadn’t fallen for her before this moment, the dress would have done him in.
She got to the bottom step and he was in front of her in two strides, his hands cupping her cheeks as he drank her in. “You’re a vision.”
Her cheeks dusted pink. “You shaved.” She ran her fingers down his smooth cheek.
“All the better to kiss you with, my dear.” He nuzzled her neck and felt her sag against him. “Do we have to go? I could stay right here all night.”
She moaned softly as he trailed kisses along her jaw. “I think we’re obligated.”
He pulled back slightly.
“It isourengagement party,” she half-heartedly insisted. “Are you having second thoughts?”
“Never. My only worry is having to share you for the next three hours.”
She moved to the side and linked her hand through his arm. “We can come back here when it’s over and pick right back up.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.”
“I’d rather you just held me.”
He groaned. “You’re not making it easier to get out the door.”
She laughed, tugging on his arm. “Come on. We have a room full of people waiting to congratulate us.”
The ride to the party was blissful. Quinn managed not to mess up her lipstick as he stole several kisses. They flirted heavily and giggled when the driver put up the partition.
They pulled up to the Starlight Loft Event Center located across from Sculpture Square. Quinn looked out the window as they waited for the driver to get the door. There were hundreds of people mingling inside, visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The tables were covered in dark blue linens, and twinkle lights added a touch of magic to the décor. One wall was painted white and left bare. Ginny had said something about a slide show of them. He looked forward to seeing it.
