AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I need to go to Seattle.”
“To find Quinn?”
I didn’t even care to contemplate how he knew she’d left. “Do you know why she went to Seattle?”
“I actually don’t. She told me she needed to go for personal reasons and took a few days off. That’s all I know. You should know,” he said pointedly.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” I grumbled.
Rhys studied me. “Ask Tish to set up a flight for you and get there tonight. I don’t know where Quinn’s staying, but I’m sure Tish can find out.”
I didn’t know how, but I would prove to Quinn that we were worth it before she went and got pregnant from some stranger.
Blessedly, Tish was lightning fast. She made reservations for me and even tracked down where Quinn was staying. “You know she has a favorite hotel there. She refused to let me use the company credit card for her reservations, but I set it up for her.”
As I flew down to Seattle on a late evening flight, I prayed I could figure out what to do to prove to Quinn that I loved her and that I wanted a family with her. Every time I did Chase’s thought exercise, I nearly broke down at the idea of not having the chance with Quinn. It was far more heartbreaking and terrifying than the prospect of just going for it.
Four hours later, I landed and was grateful that Seattle time was an hour behind Alaska time. As it was, it was coming up on midnight.
I slung my backpack over my shoulder and jogged out of the airport. I hadn’t even bothered with getting a car rental, thinking it would be faster to use a car service. In short order, I was pulling up in front of a familiar hotel, the one any of us traveling for Fireweed Industries usually stayed in. I’d had the driver stop by a grocery store so I could get some flowers for Quinn. He had helpfully pointed out there weren’t any floral shops open at this hour. I knew Quinn liked flowers. Maybe it wasn’t enough, but it was a start.
My heart banged so hard against my ribs that I worried I might actually crack one. I dropped off my bag in the room across the hallway from Quinn’s before standing in front of her doorway, flowers in hand and contemplating my entire future.
I knocked, praying she was awake. Before knocking again, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and sent her a text.
Me:I need to see you. I’m here.
I knocked one more time. Emotions rushed so hard through me that it almost felt as if my body couldn’t contain them. I let out an audible sigh when I heard the door opening. A second later, Quinn stood there with her hair in a messy bun, her glasses on, and wearing a big T-shirt that hung halfway down her thighs and a pair of fuzzy socks.
“Quinn.” That was all I could say, my voice raspy and my throat tight with emotion.
ChapterThirty-Nine
QUINN
Kenan stood in the doorway of my hotel room, and all I could do was stare at him. He held a bouquet in his hand. His eyes were wide, and I could’ve sworn there was a sheen of tears in them.
I didn’t realize tears slid down my cheeks until he stepped closer. He lifted a hand, his thumb brushing across my cheek, as he whispered, “Please don’t cry. Can I come in?” His hand fell away.
“Of course,” I said just as a family walked by.
The woman’s eyes widened when she saw me there in my T-shirt and socks. I leaped back, and Kenan stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
We stood there, studying each other. I cataloged his features—the strong line of his jaw, the stubble on his cheeks, his mussed hair, and his bright-blue eyes. My heart felt pierced, the pain of it bittersweet.
“Here.” He thrust the bouquet at me. “I know it’s not much, and they’re not in the best shape because I got them at the grocery store. The guy who picked me up at the airport suggested that because no florists were open at this hour. I love you, and I just needed to do something.” Kenan’s words came out in a run-on sentence, which was so unlike him.
All the while, my heart pounded so hard I could hear the rush of blood in my ears. I was tingling all over. I took the flowers, smiling so hard my face hurt from it.
“They’re beautiful,” I said. And they were. It was a bouquet of mostly daisies with some purple flowers scattered among them.
“Also, we’re taking the ferry back together,” Kenan added.
“We are?” My eyes flew from the flowers back to his face.
He nodded quickly. “Yes. Because we need some time. It’s winter, and I’m sure there’ll be holiday lights. We can see some wildlife, and that’ll give me more than a plane ride to convince you that I really want this with you. I can’t imagine life without you. I want a family with you. I love you.”
I was still smiling when I hiccupped, and tears splashed on my cheek. Kenan moved closer and wrapped me in his strong embrace. I buried my face in his chest as I cried.
