Chapter 12

12

R ebecca watched from the couch as Quinn crouched in front of the fire and added another log. Quinn still hadn't said anything. Rebecca had only wanted to be honest, to help Quinn's mother understand what was going on, but now she worried she may have overstepped and been too honest.

Rising from the sofa, Rebecca came around the coffee table to stand beside Quinn, who stood to meet her gaze. Rebecca could have sworn she saw the shimmer of tears in those vivid blue eyes, and her heart ached at the sight.

The rain was coming down harder now, the patter against the windows and roof providing a soothing backdrop to the charged silence between them.

"Hey," Rebecca said softly, reaching up to gently brush a stray lock of golden hair behind Quinn's ear. Her fingertips lingered, tracing the delicate curve of Quinn's cheek. "What's wrong?"

Rebecca's voice was laced with concern, her brow furrowed as she searched Quinn's face, desperate to understand what was troubling her. This wasn't the confident, composed actress she had come to know. This was a raw version of Quinn, one that was even more vulnerable than last night

Cautiously, she placed her hand on Quinn's arm, the warmth of her skin sending a spark of electricity through Rebecca's veins.

"Talk to me," Rebecca pleaded, her eyes imploring Quinn to open up.

Quinn met her gaze, those vivid blue eyes glimmering in the firelight, and for a heartbeat, Rebecca lost herself in them. But the moment was quickly eclipsed by Quinn's expression, which flickered with hesitation.

"I'm fine," Quinn said, though her voice lacked conviction. "I just… I have to figure out how to come out to my mom."

"You don't have to do it if you're not ready," she said gently. "I just wanted you to know that Sarah is worried about you."

Quinn sighed. "I know, and I know she won't have a bad reaction. But it still has to happen."

Rebecca's hand fell away from Quinn's arm, suddenly feeling guilty for even saying anything. "Look, I hope what I said didn't make you feel like you have to go talk to her tomorrow. I just wanted you to know that she's concerned about you."

"No. I know." Quinn glanced down to the fire and then her gaze lifted, avoiding Rebecca to look out the window.

"I should probably head home," Rebecca said after a moment, knowing the sensible thing would be to leave Quinn to think about what she wanted to do.

Quinn shook her head, her expression shifting from contemplation to a subtle urgency. "The rain's heavier now. You shouldn't walk home in that. Just stay in the guest room," she said, her tone firm yet kind.

Rebecca hesitated. "Are you sure?"

Quinn carried the empty popcorn bowl into the kitchen and returned with a new bottle of wine, topping up their glasses.

"Thanks," Rebecca said. She took a moment to observe the way the warm glow of the fire reflected in her eyes, adding a depth to their vivid blue. She caught herself lingering on those eyes a little too long and quickly averted her gaze, reaching for her glass. She took a sip, the smooth liquid warming her throat, but her attention remained fixed on Quinn, who had resumed her place on the couch.

Rebecca's chest tightened as she took in Quinn's profile, the dancing firelight casting shadows across her face. There was an elegance to her, a product of her Hollywood lifestyle, maybe, but it was more than that. There was an aura about her, something magnetic almost.

As if sensing Rebecca's gaze, Quinn turned to face her, and for a fleeting moment, their eyes met. Rebecca felt her breath hitch ever so slightly, an involuntary reaction to the intensity she saw reflected back at her.

The rain pounded relentlessly against the windows, and Quinn ran a hand through her hair, looking like she was lost in her own thoughts.

Rebecca still wasn't sure what had happened a few minutes ago, when she'd gone to Quinn after she'd added wood to the fire. There had been something in her eyes that Rebecca was almost afraid to put words to.

For just a brief few seconds, Rebecca could have sworn that Quinn had glanced at Rebecca's lips, but there was no way that was actually what happened.

But when Rebecca thought back over that moment again, she knew it was true.

And then Rebecca found herself imagining what it would be like to reach out and trace the delicate curve of Quinn's jaw, to lean in and breathe in the faint scent of her perfume, to feel the softness of her skin beneath her fingertips. But even as these thoughts flitted through her mind, she recognized the impossibility of acting on them. This was Quinn, her best friend's daughter who was eighteen years younger than her.

Rebecca found herself staring at Quinn, her heart pounding in her chest. She shouldn't even be thinking about this, even if she knew it wouldn't happen.

Could she blame it on the wine? She'd only had two glasses.

If anyone had asked her if she thought that Quinn Fallon, the actress, was attractive, Rebecca wouldn't have hesitated in answering. Yes. Of course she did. Most people would say Quinn was beautiful.

But it was more than that. Something had happened between yesterday and today. How or what Rebecca really wasn't sure.

Because right now, Rebecca knew that she was looking at Quinn with a longing in her eyes.

Quinn noticed Rebecca's gaze and raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "What are you thinking about?"

Rebecca swallowed hard, trying to gather her thoughts. She took a sip of wine while she tried to figure out what to say, because she absolutely could not say what she'd just been thinking about.

"I'm thinking about whether or not I should delete my dating profile," Rebecca said, returning Quinn's smile. "I think I might need a break from dating." She took another drink. "Maybe I could be your wingwoman. Although… Sorry." She silently cursed herself. "I still forget that you can't just go to a gay bar."

Quinn sipped her wine. "I like that you forget that."

"You do?"

Quinn nodded. "I think you might be the first person I've ever felt comfortable around who wasn't in the business."

"Oh," Rebecca said quietly. And then she remembered the way that Chloe had acted, and it made sense. That was probably a completely normal interaction for Quinn.

"Sorry, that was probably a strange thing to say."

"No. Don't apologize." Rebecca left her glass on the coffee table. She had to slow down. "I should be the one saying sorry. I'm here complaining about online dating, and you can't really do that at all."

"No, but Piper already has someone she wants to set me up with," Quinn said with a half-smile.

"Okay maybe you don't have it that bad then," Rebecca said with a laugh. "You'll be dating a very talented actress or singer in no time."

Quinn looked away, an almost sad expression on her face. "Maybe, but I'm interested in someone else. Someone I shouldn't be, but I guess that's my luck right now."

Rebecca mentally ran through her limited knowledge of out actresses, but as far as she knew, they were all in relationships. Unless, there was someone new. She wasn't great at keeping up with celebrity news.

Maybe it was someone who wasn't out. Maybe it was someone Quinn knew through a friend.

And then she remembered the way Quinn had looked at her by the fire.

No. Quinn couldn't mean her.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still as they gazed into each other's eyes.

"You know who I'm talking about," Quinn said softly, "Don't you?"

Rebecca felt her breath catch in her throat as Quinn's words registered. This couldn't be happening. This was not something she could give into.

She knew she should say something, anything, to break the spellbinding silence that had descended upon them.

Quinn smoothly moved a little closer to her, and Rebecca mirrored her movement without thinking about it, and now they were mere inches apart.

Rebecca licked her lips, her mouth suddenly dry, as she grappled with the torrent of emotions swirling within her. She knew she should resist, that this would never work, but her eyes flicked to Quinn's lips, and she saw the slightest hint of a smile play at the corners of her mouth. It was all the invitation she needed.

Leaning forward, Rebecca closed the distance between them, her lips brushing softly against Quinn's. It was a gentle, exploratory kiss, a question rather than a statement. But as Quinn responded with a whimper, her lips parting slightly, Rebecca felt a wave of desire wash over her, threatening to overwhelm her senses.

She pulled Quinn closer, her hand on Quinn's cheek, as the kiss deepened. All thoughts of resistance melted away as she lost herself in the sensations flooding her body. It was as if every nerve ending was awakened, every touch and taste magnified. But even as she surrendered to the moment, a nagging voice of doubt whispered in the back of her mind that she shouldn't have kissed her, no matter how much she'd wanted to.

As if sensing her hesitation, Quinn pulled back slightly, her eyes searching Rebecca's face. Rebecca saw the desire and confusion swirling in her eyes, a reflection of her own conflicted emotions.

"We shouldn't," Rebecca murmured, even as her hand caressed Quinn's cheek. "This is a bad idea."

But even as the words left her mouth, Rebecca knew she didn't truly want to stop. She wanted to keep kissing Quinn as crazy as all of this was.