Page 90 of Just Let Go

Quinn wasn’t caught up in the flash and sizzle of who he was. It grounded him.

And he was about to lose it—about to lose her—before he’d ever had a chance to prove to her that she was wrong about him.

He stepped out on the porch and closed the door, praying that somehow Ashley had the good sense to stay put, but hating that he couldn’t invite Quinn inside. He drew in a breath, then moved toward the porch swing and sat down.

“Aren’t you cold?”

He was, but he shook his head. As a man with few options, enduring the weather seemed like his best choice.

She faced him. “We always do Sunday brunch after church.”

“Church.” He sighed. “I forgot about that.”

“It’s okay. Jaden was fine.” She held up the bag in her hand. “I thought you might be hungry, and we had lots of leftovers.”

He watched her for a long moment. Somehow he thought it was difficult for her to be there—like holding on to her dislike of himwas easier. But there she was, offering kindness anyway. He hated knowing what she must think of him. Why hadn’t he made better choices?

“Thanks for that. I actually am starving.”

She didn’t look at him as she set the bag near his feet. “I saw the video.”

He should reassure her that it meant nothing to him, but the desire to pretend wasn’t there. He’d never been completely open with anyone—what was so different about her? She was exasperating. Absolutely drove him up the wall. She was stubborn and not usually all that nice to him—and yet, seeing her standing there, he had to wonder if it was all just a front. He’d seen her kindness toward other people, the way she protected her nephew, the way she brought flowers to the police station because that receptionist lady liked them.

Maybe the standoffish Quinn was not who she was at all.

Would he ever get the chance to find out?

“I’m really sorry if spending the day with me out there hurt your street cred or whatever.”

“My street cred?” He laughed.

Her cheeks flushed. “Whatever it’s called.”

“It’s fine.”

“No, I thought it was awful. Those videos were so wrong—they made it look like teaching beginning skiers was the only thing you can do.”

He shrugged. “Maybe they’re right.”

She frowned. “I know you don’t believe that.”

He didn’t. Not really. But that fire in his belly to prove everyone wrong was flickering. How did he get here? So unsure of himself? That’s not who he was.

“Maybe you just need to get back out there.” She sat down next to him. “You need to actually ski—and not in Harbor Pointe.”

When she had his eyes, she smiled. “I talked to Judge this morning at brunch. Well, Jaden and I did. I told him how you’re helpingat the shop and how you helped Jaden yesterday. He said you can go up north this weekend. Jaden said it’s better skiing up there and that maybe it’ll help get you back in the swing.”

“He thinks I’m not in the swing?” Grady stared off across the street at the row of cottages, all similar in structure but different in design. One was painted gray with a red mailbox and white trim. One was white with black trim and a turquoise mailbox. One was a subtle shade of green with a pink mailbox. Oddly, they all looked like they belonged together—a neatly stacked row of houses that had been restored. All because one man thought they still had something to offer.

“He thinks you’ve forgotten how to love it,” Quinn said.

Grady eyed the perfectly manicured yards. The pristine landscaping. The simple details that made these houses new again.

He needed someone to do the same for him.

“I’m not sure I ever loved it.”

Quinn stilled.

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