“Oh!” she says, taking the container and opening the lid. “I better try one of these before Cade sees them.”
I chuckle. Cade has the biggest sweet tooth, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he doesn’t take a handful of the cookies before anyone else gets an opportunity to have one. But to be honest, I didn’t make them for him. After I got back to my condo, I paced the living room for a good ten minutes, trying to figure out why I didn’t want Quinn to leave. I know he’s frustrated at me, but he’s too much of a good guy to cause a big discussion that could end up an argument.
Last night, when he was about to offer to stay, I know he saw my hesitation. I don’t know why I did that, but a part of me is still scared. That’s right, boys and girls. Me, Charli Miller, is scared. Of the feelings I’ve developed for him over the last few weeks. They went from friendly and comfortable to…more. He quickly became someone I can’t seem to live without.
And that scares me.
The last person I cared for hurt me more than I ever thought he could. I was all in, hoping to spend the rest of my life with a man who so easily could cheat on me when an opportunity presented itself.
Would Quinn do that?
No.
I already know he’s not anything like Richard, but that doesn’t stop the fears from creeping in every now and again, and lately, those insecurities are rearing their ugly heads regularly. I’ve convinced myself if I keep Quinn at arm’s length, everything will be fine.
But it’s not fine.
Last night, when he left, it wasn’t fine at all.
I hated it.
I wanted him to stay.
“You’re glowing!” Lizzie insists, her green eyes twinkling.
My heart beats hard in my chest, but I wave off her comment. “Oh, that’s just sweat. It’s getting hot out there,” I insist with a chuckle.
“Finally! I’m starved. Oaklee doesn’t feed me,” Cade bellows dramatically.
“It’s not my job to feed you,” Oaklee states, walking up and poking him in the gut. “I’m not your mommy.”
“No, you’re not. But I’m your daddy,” he sings, waggling his eyebrows.
“Gross,” I state as he pulls her into his arms and kisses her soundly. “I’m gonna throw up.”
He just grins when he finally lets Oaklee come up for air. “Don’t knock it until you try it, sister.” Then he levels me with a serious look. “But you’re not allowed to try it until you’re fifty.”
“Excuse me?” I ask with a laugh.
“No boys, Charlotte. No kissing. It’s gross, remember?” he says.
Rolling my eyes. “You’re gross. Kissing is great.”
“Dinner’s ready!” Mom hollers, interrupting the conversation and worming her way through the small crowd to approach me. “Hi, honey.”
“Hi, Mom. Dinner smells good,” I say, my stomach growling.
“Well, it’s not anything fancy. I know everyone has to work tomorrow, so I just did a meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, and creamed corn.”
My mouth waters. “Gimme.”
She throws her arm around my waist and leads me into the kitchen. She has the food set up in the kitchen on the stove and counter, so we all file in the open kitchen and make our way to where the food is ready. “Ladies first,” Mom announces, earning a shocked gasp from Cade.
“Rude.”
Mom rolls her eyes at him and continues as if he hadn’t spoken. “There’s lemonade and water in the fridge here, or the soda is in the garage. Lizzie, Oaklee, Charli, you ladies go first.”
You don’t have to tell me twice.
