Chapter 10

10

I t was a crisp September day, the kind that hinted at the coming autumn. Rebecca had been holed up inside, working at her desk, and the fresh breeze was a welcome change. Glancing down the driveway, she spotted Quinn approaching, her gaze focused on the ground as if she were lost in thought.

Rebecca smiled softly as she watched Quinn draw closer. It was almost noon, and she knew Quinn was here to pick up her car. They had shared an intimate dinner the night before, and now, in the light of day, Rebecca felt a warm glow thinking about their connection. She had shared parts of her story that she rarely shared with anyone, and Quinn had reciprocated, their conversation flowing easily despite their age difference.

"Hey," Quinn called out, glancing up and offering a casual wave. "What a beautiful day, huh?"

"Sure is," Rebecca agreed, stepping off the porch and walking over to greet her.

The afternoon sun highlighted Quinn's golden hair and illuminated her vivid blue eyes. She looked relaxed, dressed in jeans and a loose white t-shirt, her face fresh and makeup-free. Rebecca felt a flutter in her chest, and she wasn't entirely sure why. Maybe it was because of everything they'd shared last night?

"Enjoying the weather?" Rebecca asked, keeping her tone light.

"Mm," Quinn nodded as she reached her car. "I sat out on my deck all morning."

"Sounds lovely," Rebecca said, picturing Quinn enjoying the view of the lake.

"Any plans for the day?"

Rebecca shook her head. "Nothing too exciting. I've got some design work to finish up, and then I thought I might take a walk down to the lake later. It's too nice to stay cooped up inside."

Quinn nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Yeah, it's been great being able to enjoy the outdoors here. It's so peaceful."

There was a brief pause, and Rebecca sensed that Quinn wanted to linger, perhaps wanting to revisit the previous night's conversation or explore the spark that seemed to be growing between them.

"What about you? Anything planned for the rest of the day?"

Quinn's eyes lit up. "Actually, I'm looking forward to watching Piper's latest movie tonight. I missed it in theaters, but now I can stream it at home."

Rebecca raised an eyebrow, intrigued by this glimpse into Quinn's life. "You go to movies with everyone else?"

Quinn smiled. "Not exactly. I go in the middle of the day and wear my baseball cap. There's usually two or three other people there, so it's never been a problem if I sit at the back on my own."

"You're talking about that supernatural horror, right?"

"Yeah, that's the one," Quinn nodded, a hint of surprise in her voice. "Did you see it?"

"No, I missed it in theaters too."

Quinn's eyebrows shot up. "Wait, you like horror movies?"

The question caught Rebecca off guard. She chuckled, amused by Quinn's apparent disbelief. "I do, actually. Why are you so surprised?"

Quinn shrugged, a sheepish grin spreading across her face. "I don't know. I guess I just didn't peg you as a horror fan. Plus, my mother hates them. She told me that if I ever did a horror, she wouldn't be able to watch."

"She does. That's why I always have to go on my own. What about you?" Rebecca asked. "Are you into horrors?"

"Not really, to be honest. But Piper and I have this tradition where we always watch each other's movies, but there's no rule that I can't watch from behind my hands," she said with a smile.

Rebecca laughed.

"Do you want to watch it with me?"

The invitation was unexpected, and for a moment, Rebecca hesitated, considering the implications of spending more time alone with Quinn.

"Are you sure?" Rebecca asked, choosing her words carefully. "I don't want to intrude on your evening."

"No, I want you to. I mean, if you want to," Quinn added, a hint of uncertainty crossing her face.

Rebecca studied Quinn's expression, seeing the genuine warmth in her eyes.

And so, with a small smile, she accepted. "I'd love to. What time?"

"How about eight?" Quinn suggested.

"Sounds perfect. I'll bring a bottle of wine." A thought occurred to her. "Do you have popcorn?"

"I do," Quinn said, her lips curving into a grin.

Maybe it was because Rebecca knew what Quinn was going through right now, but she found herself drawn to Quinn in a way she hadn't expected.

She caught herself staring at Quinn's smile, the way it lit up her entire face, and she took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Great," she said, her voice sounding strangely husky to her own ears. She cleared her throat. "I'll see you at eight, then."

Quinn said goodbye and got into her car, and Rebecca watched her drive away. When she went back inside and sat at her desk, Rebecca struggled to concentrate.

She knew what the problem was. She felt guilty, because she was in the middle of Sarah and Quinn. Sarah wanted to know what was going on with her daughter, and even though Rebecca knew, she couldn't say anything to Sarah.

She also felt a bit strange about spending more time with Quinn lately than Sarah, but at the same time, she was so glad that she was there for Quinn.

Even though Quinn had Piper Emerson, Rebecca hoped that after last night, Quinn could trust her and ask her anything.