Page 40 of Just One Moment

“Thisis different.Whatif she sees right through our act then hates me for lying to her?Idon’t do well with people not liking me.It’sa terrible character flaw.”

“Ican tell you with all the confidence in the world, my mother could never hate you.”Idrag the pad of my thumb over her skin, grazing her plump bottom lip. “You’revery difficult not to like…believe me.”

Thehonesty in my words sparks an ember in those golden irises, but just as she goes to speak, we’re interrupted yet again.

“DidIhear ‘Mother’?” the woman herself calls as she walks around the corner and my hand falls to my side.

Hairthe same sandy shade as mine sits just below her jaw,with streaks of gray framing her face.Icyblue eyes crinkle further when she spies the woman standing beside me.She’sso eager to greet her, she practically barges past me on her path to wrapQuinnup in a hug.

“WhenBoothtold me you were comingIjust couldn’t believe it.”Shethrows an angry glare over her shoulder. “Mymiddle son somehow failed to tell me he was dating; let alone that it’s with the woman whose carrot cakeIdream about.”

“Thankyou so much for having me.”WhenQuinnis free from the embrace, a surprised expression lights up her face, and the warm welcome has clearly quashed her nerves. “Speakingof carrot cake…”Shepulls back the lid of the cake tin.

Mymom loops her arm throughQuinn’s. “Youcan come every week.Everyoneelse is through here.”

Withouta backward glance,Quinnis carted away toward the chatter of voices coming from the den.

Boothdecides to emerge the second they disappear, a guilty look on his face. “Iguess you can never stop fake dating her, or risk breaking our dear mother’s heart.”

FuckingBooth.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

graham

Shewalks in and steals

Notjust my words but my breath

Idon’t want them back

“Quinn,sweetheart, do you take cream or sugar in your coffee?” my mom asks.

She’sbeen buzzing with excitement since the moment we walked through the front door, peppering me with questions all evening.Howdid you two meet?Wherewas your first date?Howdid you know she was the one?

Imanaged to avoid two of the questions, but my own mother was close to punching me whenIsaid we hadn’t been on a date yet.

“Justcreamer, please.Thanks,Claire.”Quinnis next to me on the sofa, withJoandPatrickon her other side.

It’sa full house this evening.Jo’sdad,George, is chatting toDexandBoothin the corner; the latter having had nothing but a smug smile on his face all evening.Clearly, his plan is working,because all of our mother’s usual matchmaking questions have been aimed at me.

“Uncle-Graham’s-Girlfriend-Quinn, what are you dressing up as forHalloween?” my niece loudly asks from her spot on the rug where she’s playing with a pile ofLEGO.

“Hername is justQuinn.”Patricklaughs.

“Ohhh.Sorry.”Shegiggles. “Just-Quinn, what are you dressing up as forHalloween?”

Thiskid.Cuteas a button and sometimes too smart for her own good.

“Well,Just-Lottie,IthoughtIwas a little old for dressing up.Whatdo you thinkIshould be?”

Lottietaps a finger on her nose, contemplating her answer, before pointing it in the air triumphantly. “Alobster!”

“That’sa good one.Whatare you being this year?”Quinnasks.

“Iwanted to beRapunzel.”Sheaims a pout at her dad. “ButDaddysaid no.”

“Andwe all know why that is.”Johannalaughs, while my older brother groans and drops his head into his hands.

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