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E P I L O G U E
- Madeline -
Quinn and James and I nabbed our usual booth at The Copper Penny around happy hour and had barely moved, which suited me just fine. I wasn't as big a fan of bar hopping as most of my friends, and I was on my feet all week at BELLE trying to get things ready for the "Spring into Spring” issue.
We were doing profiles on five charities that focused on educating young girls in deprived areas, and I was really proud of the magazine for pursuing such a worthwhile project…which was more than I could say last month when we spent two weeks going "behind the scenes" with child pageant stars and their helicopter moms. That said, the clothes we featured for that issue were super avant-garde and surprisingly fun to handle.
Meanwhile, when I was neck deep in tulle and tiaras, Quinn officially launched the new scholarship program he'd been developing with his dad, and it was great to see him so pumped. Not only was he able to avoid the promotion he didn't want, but he finally had control over which young athletes he built relationships with and extended offers to.
Just last week, he was able to secure scholarships for three student athletes from the southside to attend football camp at Northwestern this summer. It was the kind of experience they never would've been able to afford otherwise, and I could tell Quinn was excited to open their eyes to what might lie ahead if they could focus on their schoolwork and resist the temptations lurking in their underprivileged neighborhoods.
As for James, he'd finally found a place he liked in Bucktown and put down a deposit. Unfortunately, he wanted to gut the downstairs and redo the kitchen, so he was going to be staying with us a while longer. I didn’t mind, though. All that mattered was that I was in my favorite little Irish bar with my two favorite guys, and the crowd was finally starting to thin, so we didn't have to shout so loud to make our slurred words heard.
"I'd like to propose a toast," James said, raising his beer as he eyed me and Quinn from the other side of the dark booth. "To Maddy: my most fun sister and Quinn's best quality."
Quinn let out a hearty chuckle and knocked his glass against James'. "I'll drink to that."
I was more reluctant to follow along, but I clinked their glasses anyway because you can't just participate in the first ten toasts and then bail. After a swig of beer, however, I was feeling bold enough to voice my objection. "That's not really fair," I said, glancing between them. "I'm definitely not Quinn's best quality."
Quinn leaned a hard shoulder against mine and pretended to lower his voice. "Don't be crude, babe. Your brother has a weak stomach, remember?"
James scowled his way, but Quinn was too busy smiling at his own joke to notice.
"You're the crude one," I said, angling my body towards his. "Which isn’t cool considering how supportive James has been of our relationship."
Quinn glanced at James like there was something I didn't know. "You're so right. I especially like when he swaddles his support in mild threats."
"Don't worry," James said, locking his eyes on my boyfriend. "I'm sure I'll be easier going once I move out."
"Thank God." Quinn let his head fall back for a moment, his thick black hair swinging back into place when he righted himself again. "I’m a little disappointed you're going on your own terms, though. I was kind of looking forward to driving you out."
I elbowed him sharply, but James just rolled his eyes.
"I think we're going to turn your room into a love shack," Quinn continued. "Complete with silk pillows and incense and lots of ornate, gold-framed mirrors. I hope you'll come see it when it's done."
James shook his head. "That sounds like a nightmare."
I batted my lashes in Quinn's direction. More like a dream, I wanted to say.
"Drop the act," Quinn said. "You're happy for us and it shows."
James shrugged. "I do feel like I have to worry about you two a lot less."
Quinn leaned back in his black collared shirt, the one I found him particularly irresistible in. "Why would you worry about me?" he asked. "Worrying about Maddy, I get, but it's not your job to worry about me."
"I know, but I can’t help it.” James tilted his beer against his lips and drained all but the last inch.
Quinn's dark brows furrowed.
"You're so reticent to let anyone in," my brother explained. "I guess part of me was worried you never would."
Quinn ran a hand through his hair. "I never thought I would either." He turned to me, his blue eyes sweeping my face. "I'm not sure how you managed it."
I smiled, and he leaned over, planting a kiss on my right temple that made my heart explode like a whistling firework.
James groaned. "Do you guys have to look at each other like that when I'm around?"
"Get used to it," Quinn said, his eyes lingering on mine for a moment before he looked back across the table. "You're going to catch me looking at her like that every Christmas and Thanksgiving until your last."
