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“Where are you two lovebirds going out to dinner?” Quinn tossed over her shoulder. Leaning into the fridge, she pulled out a container of juice and proceeded to fetch a glass from the cabinet and fill it.
I finally chuckled. “We haven’t decided yet. Any requests for takeout?”
Quinn returned the bottle of juice to the refrigerator before turning around and resting her hips against the counter as she glanced between us. Sasha’s cheeks had gone pink as soon as Quinn described us as lovebirds.
“That calzone was good, and so was the Thai food. I trust you now, so make it somewhere good and new. We need to expand our eating horizons,” she said.
“Okay then, your mom and I will decide. Glad to know you trust my opinion on food.”
Quinn shrugged nonchalantly. “You’ve done well so far, so don’t screw it up. Now, I need to go do my homework.” She pushed away from the counter. “What time will you be home, Mom?” she asked when she stopped in the archway leading out to the living room.
“Before bedtime,” Sasha replied quickly.
“Are you spending the night?” Quinn’s eyes bounced to me.
My brain stalled at that question. The silence in the room felt loaded.
“Quinn!” Sasha sputtered.
Quinn pursed her lips and rolled her eyes. “I’m not stupid. You two spent a whole week alone together over the Christmas holidays. Don’t even try to pretend you didn’t get it on.”
I wasn’t much of a blusher, but wow, Quinn knocked me back on my heels, and I felt the heat creep up my neck.
Her eyes moved to me. “You seem like you really like my mom.” Suddenly, she wasn’t joking. “If you hurt her, I’ll make things really uncomfortable for you. But it’s okay if you spend the night. I’m not gonna freak out about it.” A teasing hint entered her tone again.
At that, she twirled away, waving her fingers over her shoulder. “I’ve got homework to do. I’ll be in my room.”
Sasha and I waited in silence until her door clicked shut. Sasha sagged into a chair by the kitchen table. “Oh, my God,” she said slowly.
“She seems to enjoy embarrassing us.”
“She enjoys trying to make adults feel foolish,” Sasha offered with a shrug.
I crossed the kitchen to stop in front of her, resting my hands on either side of the table, caging her in my arms. “It’s fine. She’s just being a teenager. I feel like I just won something,” I murmured, right before dipping my head and brushing my lips over Sasha’s.
“What did you win?” she whispered when I lifted my head.
“Permission to spend the night.”
ChapterTwenty-Two
SASHA
I came to a conclusion during dinner that night with Noah: foreplay didn’t require touching. It was bad enough already with my response to Noah. I constantly felt as if my body was an engine being revved. One look from him, not even purposeful, and it was like a heavy foot on the gas pedal, sending my desire hurtling forward.
He took me to a small café, nothing fancy. He said they had delicious pot pies. Quinn’s faith in his ability to choose restaurants was well placed because the pot pies were heavenly. It was, as he put it, really an English pub tucked in a corner of Boston. The food was absolutely delicious and perfect for a brisk, clear night in February.
“How was work?” he asked after the server, a matronly woman who clearly knew Noah, had checked with us.
With her warm gaze and questions, I felt as if I were being appraised, but I didn’t really mind. Noah was worth having friends who protected him.
I shrugged. “Work was busy, but I like it that way. She’s kind of protective of you,” I observed as the server paused by the next table.
“Norma?” Noah returned, his brows hitching up in surprise.
“Yes, in a good way. It’s obvious she cares and doesn’t want anyone to take advantage of you.” I chuckled to myself.
“What’s so funny?” Noah prompted.
