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“It’s that way.” He grabbed her shoulders and turned her to the right.
“Thanks.” Her long legs carried her away from him fast.
He leaned against a building and waited. Luke would put money on Quinn not needing to use the bathroom, but that it had been an excuse to get away from him. She came out minutes later still frowning.
“Better?”
Her eyes shot to his.
“Sure, thanks.”
“So what’s put that stick up your ass? Your mom still at it?”
“So I have a stick up my ass simply because I’m not falling all over myself to… to like you,” she finished lamely.
“You don’t want to like me?” He kept his expression serious.
The breath she exhaled was loud and long. “Look, sorry, that wasn’t nice. Of course I like you—”
“I like you too.”
“I’m just having a rough day.” She looked like a kid who wasn’t quite sure what was going on around her. She was also cute. Really cute, he thought. Her hair seemed a lot of different shades of blonde. The messy look suited her, and curls fluttered around her cheeks.
It was a face a man took a second look at. No makeup, no fake lashes, no lipstick, but there was something sweet about it… her.
“Let me guess. Between them, Pearl, and your mom decided you’d love to meet Sam over dinner?”
Her shoulders lowered, but she didn’t speak.
“Lay it on me, you might feel better,” Luke said.
“Lay what on you?”
“What’s riling you up. You arrived bristling like a porcupine.”
“I’m all good, but thanks, Luke.”
“I thought you said you needed to people more. Here’s your chance.”
“I don’t know you.” Her voice rose slightly.
“And therefore can’t spill your innards?”
She nodded.
“It’s cathartic with someone you may not see again. They can’t hold it against you.” He wasn’t sure why he was pursuing this, but he wanted her to talk to him. To his mind, Quinn Harper looked like she needed a friend. He could be that and nothing more for her. He just needed to make sure her mom didn’t see them talking.
“I’m pretty sure it’s your mom.”
She rested her weight on one leg, the other foot rested on top of it, and she rolled forward and back.
“Nice balance.”
“It’s good for recalibrating your brain.”
“Really?”
She nodded. Her eyes were brown. A deep, rich molasses color. A man could spend a long time looking into those lovely deep depths.
