Page 19 of Lakeside Longing

Cautiously, she placed her hand on Quinn’s arm, the warmth of her skin sending a spark of electricity through Rebecca’s veins.

“Talk to me,” Rebecca pleaded, her eyes imploring Quinn to open up.

Quinn met her gaze, those vivid blue eyes glimmering in the firelight, and for a heartbeat, Rebecca lost herself in them. But the moment was quickly eclipsed by Quinn’s expression, which flickered with hesitation.

“I’m fine,” Quinn said, though her voice lacked conviction. “I just… I have to figure out how to come out to my mom.”

“You don’t have to do it if you’re not ready,” she said gently. “I just wanted you to know that Sarah is worried about you.”

Quinn sighed. “I know, and I know she won’t have a bad reaction. But it still has to happen.”

Rebecca’s hand fell away from Quinn’s arm, suddenly feeling guilty for even saying anything. “Look, I hope what I said didn’t make you feel like you have to go talk to her tomorrow. I just wanted you to know that she’s concerned about you.”

“No. I know.” Quinn glanced down to the fire and then her gaze lifted, avoiding Rebecca to look out the window.

“I should probably head home,” Rebecca said after a moment, knowing the sensible thing would be to leave Quinn to think about what she wanted to do.

Quinn shook her head, her expression shifting from contemplation to a subtle urgency. “The rain’s heavier now. You shouldn’t walk home in that. Just stay in the guest room,” she said, her tone firm yet kind.

Rebecca hesitated. “Are you sure?”

Quinn carried the empty popcorn bowl into the kitchen and returned with a new bottle of wine, topping up their glasses.

“Thanks,” Rebecca said. She took a moment to observe the way the warm glow of the fire reflected in her eyes, adding a depth to their vivid blue. She caught herself lingering on those eyes a little too long and quickly averted her gaze, reaching for her glass. She took a sip, the smooth liquid warming her throat, but her attention remained fixed on Quinn, who had resumed her place on the couch.

Rebecca’s chest tightened as she took in Quinn’s profile, the dancing firelight casting shadows across her face. There was an elegance to her, a product of her Hollywood lifestyle, maybe, but it was more than that. There was an aura about her, something magnetic almost.

As if sensing Rebecca’s gaze, Quinn turned to face her, and for a fleeting moment, their eyes met. Rebecca felt her breath hitch ever so slightly, an involuntary reaction to the intensity she saw reflected back at her.

The rain pounded relentlessly against the windows, and Quinn ran a hand through her hair, looking like she was lost in her own thoughts.

Rebecca still wasn’t sure what had happened a few minutes ago, when she’d gone to Quinn after she’d added wood to the fire. There had been something in her eyes that Rebecca was almost afraid to put words to.

For just a brief few seconds, Rebecca could have sworn that Quinn had glanced at Rebecca’s lips, but there was no way that was actually what happened.

But when Rebecca thought back over that moment again, she knew it was true.

And then Rebecca found herself imagining what it would be like to reach out and trace the delicate curve of Quinn’s jaw, to lean in and breathe in the faint scent of her perfume, to feel the softness of her skin beneath her fingertips. But even as these thoughts flitted through her mind, she recognizedthe impossibility of acting on them. This was Quinn, her best friend’s daughter who was eighteen years younger than her.

Rebecca found herself staring at Quinn, her heart pounding in her chest. She shouldn’t even be thinking about this, even if she knew it wouldn’t happen.

Could she blame it on the wine? She’d only had two glasses.

If anyone had asked her if she thought that Quinn Fallon, the actress, was attractive, Rebecca wouldn’t have hesitated in answering. Yes. Of course she did. Most people would say Quinn was beautiful.

But it was more than that. Something had happened between yesterday and today. How or what Rebecca really wasn’t sure.

Because right now, Rebecca knew that she was looking at Quinn with a longing in her eyes.

Quinn noticed Rebecca’s gaze and raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. “What are you thinking about?”

Rebecca swallowed hard, trying to gather her thoughts. She took a sip of wine while she tried to figure out what to say, because she absolutely could not say what she’d just been thinking about.

“I’m thinking about whether or not I should delete my dating profile,” Rebecca said, returning Quinn’s smile. “I think I might need a break from dating.” She took another drink. “Maybe I could be your wingwoman. Although… Sorry.” She silently cursed herself. “I still forget that you can’t just go to a gay bar.”

Quinn sipped her wine. “I like that you forget that.”

“You do?”

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