Page 47 of Sultry Nights

As they reached the front door, Hanna opened it and stepped inside, grabbing his hand and pulling him with her.

"Mom, Dad, we're here."

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Hanna introduced Quinn to her parents. "Quinn, this is my mother, Allison. Mom, this is Quinn Kurtz. This is my father, Lance." They shook hands. "Quinn says he's met you in passing, but never formally, so consider yourselves introduced.

Quinn handed her mom the bottle of wine and the flowers. "It's very nice to meet both of you. You have an incredible daughter."

Hanna's cheeks warmed slightly. She wasn't used to being complimented in front of her parents by a man. It was certainly a new experience, and one she rather liked.

Her father chuckled. "Well, come on in. Let's get us some drinks. What are you drinking, Quinn?"

Quinn laughed. "Beer is just fine with me, sir."

"I haven't been sir for a long time. How about Lance?"

Quinn nodded and smiled. "Lance it is."

Hanna looked over at her mother who stood staring. Was her mouth open? Oh my god, she was gaping at him like she'd never seen a handsome man before. Hanna nudged her mom. “Should we go put these flowers in some water, Mom?”

Her mom tittered a little. "Oh yes. Oh, gosh, yes of course. Yes, thank you, Quinn. Oh, they're so beautiful. I just can't believe how sweet you are.”

Hanna looked at Quinn and grinned, then she slipped her arm under her mom's arm and led her to the kitchen. "Oh my god, Mom. Seriously, get yourself together."

"Oh, but he's even dreamier up close. I had no idea, honey."

Hanna groaned. Well, her mom wasn't wrong, but oh my god, she wasn't expecting this reaction and it was a little embarrassing. She pulled the vase out of the cupboard and began cutting the stems of the flowers, while her mom set the bottle of wine on the counter.

"Oh, so thoughtful that he bought the red, white, and blue carnations. I mean with summer here and everything that is really just so patriotic and nice."

Hanna chuckled. "Well, he's a veteran, so of course he'd be patriotic, and he just thought they were bright and colorful. I guess the ladies at the flower shop are very enamored with him today for buying two bouquets."

"Two? He bought two bouquets?"

"Yes, he brought one to me earlier today at the bakery. Sunflowers. They're beautiful. Stop in and see them tomorrow if you like."

"Oh, oh maybe I'll do that. Oh, he's so nice, he's just so sweet.

Hanna chuckled. "Oh my gosh, Mom, get yourself together."

They arranged the flowers and her mom happily put them in the center of the dining room table when Jalyn walked in. "Hey, everybody I'm here."

Hanna rushed out to the living room and hugged her friend then turned around and introduced her to Quinn. "Quinn this is my best friend Jalyn. Jalyn meet Quinn."

She leaned in closer and whispered, "And don't make a fool of yourself. My mom has been tittering and tottering.

Jalyn chuckled. "Of course, she is."

"Hi, Quinn, nice to meet you." She held out her hand and shook his vigorously, then she looked at Hanna. "Are we drinking beer tonight?"

"Aren't you on call?"

"Not tonight. I asked for the night off so I'm primed and ready to have a couple beers, a good dinner, and meet this man that you've been spending so much time with that you don't even have time to call me."

"Jalyn, we've talked about this already."

"I know, I know, I know. I could call you, too, but well…."

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