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Johanna’s unconditional love for her kids is touching. She’s willing to go to great lengths to ensure their happiness, regardless of their stand on her methods. While her interference can be frustrating, I also find it endearing. It’s a refreshing take, given that my mom has never cared enough to be that involved in my life.
“I’m so glad things worked out for Presley and Jack, but my situation with Dylan is totally different.”
“Sorry to break it to you, Marlow, but I think Johanna might be onto something,” Quinn chirps.
“What now?”
“It makes perfect sense if you think about it,” she starts passionately. “Dylan’s whole life revolves around Lola, and she’s completely smitten with you. Add to that the fact Waffles is infatuated with Lola, and you have one big happy family. You might as well explore your feelings.”
She’s far too happy about this for my liking. “Slow down, turbo. You’re worse than Johanna.” I rub my temples to ward off an oncoming headache. “You’re forgetting one very important detail.”
“What’s that?”
“Dylan and I can’t go more than five minutes of being in the same room without arguing.”
“It’s called playful banter,” Quinn corrects me. “Which everybody knows is just another form of flirting.”
If that were the case, then Dylan and I flirt a lot. We’re constantly taunting each other and exchanging playful jabs, which I’ve grown to look forward to.
“You’re awfully quiet,” Quinn observes. “Anything you want to share?”
“I’m going to tell you something and you can’t freak out, okay?
“Get on with it,” she encourages.
“Dylan might have almost kissed me outside of Willow Creek Café last week and—” I pause when Quinn screeches on the other end of the line.
“Are you serious? Oh my gosh, why didn’t you say so sooner? Wait, there’s more, isn’t there?” I have to move the phone away from my ear while she lets out another squeal. “Marlow Taylor, you better tell me this instant.”
I roll my eyes at her theatrics. I forgot that she’s the hopeless romantic in our friend group.
“We kissed after he got home last night,” I confess.
I wasn’t planning on telling anyone, but she would have kept prying until I did. Besides, it’s a relief not to have to keep it bottled up any longer.
“Andi is totally going to flip when she hears about this,” Quinn exclaims. “Tell me everything this instant.”
“Will you please calm down? There’s not much to tell.” Okay, that’s a total lie. “Lola and I took a nap after we got back from the doctor’s office, and I didn’t answer the phone when Dylan tried calling me back. When I woke up, he was back, and was unexpectedly understanding about the whole thing. He said that Lola was fortunate to have me, and one thing led to another and we kissed.”
“And?” Quinn asks impatiently.
“And I went home.”
“You’ve got to be joking.” She doesn’t sound pleased with my anticlimactic story. “Marlow, that cannot be the end of the story.”
I leave out the part that I’m the one who initiated the kiss. I’m not ready to answer another round of her rapid-fire questions if I do.
“I’m sorry to disappoint,” I chuckle. “I’m just not sure it’s a good idea for Dylan and me to get any more involved than we already are. His focus should be on Lola, and I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be in Aspen Grove. Clearly, neither of us are ready for a serious commitment right now.” My throat is scratchy, so I take a long sip of coffee.
“Forget about serious,” Quinn shrieks. “What’s wrong with sleeping with the man a few times until he’s out of your system?”
I nearly choke on my coffee, taken aback by her bluntness.
“Didn’t you just tell me we should make it official and be, and I quote,one big happy family?” I use air quotes for emphasis even though she’s not here to see.
“Come on, Marlow. When was the last time you got laid? You’ve lived in Aspen Grove for over a year, and I’ve never seen you with anyone.”
“I’ve been focusing on my art,” I say defensively.
