Page 42 of Dream Lover
“Sure. It’s whatever.” She didn’t meet my gaze, and I needed her eyes.
“Quinn,” I tried, but she cut me off.
“I get it, alright? Let’s just get this over with. I have to get back to work.” Had I completely blown it with her? I needed to do something to convince her that we could work. That I wasn’t a complete fuck up.
I wanted Quinn, and I wasn’t letting her go. First thing I needed to do was make her a priority. Not work. Loved my job, but it was time for a change in my focus. This had made me realize it more than ever.
“It’s Friday night. You name the place, and I’ll make it happen. I’ll pick you up at seven.”
Her eyes lifted to mine, and I couldn’t tell if she was hurt or pissed. Maybe a combination of the two. Both pissed me off because they were my fault. “Conner, you don’t need to feel guilty for not calling. We both got wrapped up in the competition in Vegas. I get it and plus, you don’t date.”
I needed to get through to her. This was not my past. Far from it. “I’m taking you out on a real date. No ifs, ands, or buts about it, babe. You and me. It’s happening. I may not have dated in the past, but you’re different. I know I’ve screwed up by not calling when I should, but that changes now. Give me another chance. You know we could be good together.”
“I don’t know if we’re a good idea.” The hurt of how the past few weeks had gone was there under the surface of her gaze. There was a sadness behind her green eyes I had put there, but I was determined to make it right. Quinn was a woman worth fighting for. She was worth everything.
A server interrupted our conversation, walking toward us carrying two plates. “The first cake is made with all organic ingredients. This is a vegan carrot cake. The frosting is lemon buttercream topped with crushed walnuts.” She placed the plates in front of each of us, serving Quinn first.
“Great.” Quinn gave a fake smile and picked up her fork. She waited for the woman to leave before attempting to take a bite. I knew she hated both carrot cake and nuts. I took my fork and cut into the cake. “You first,” Quinn spoke softly. “It looks as awful as it sounded.” She made a squeamish face. There was no way she was taking a bite. I held off a second, knowing she was bluffing.
“You hate nuts,” I reminded her how well I knew her. I sniffed the forkful. “It doesn’t smell much better either, babe.” I put on a brave face and took a bite. Immediately I had to spit it back into a napkin. It was dry and tasted stale. “Yeah, no. That’s nasty. No one should be forced to eat that shit.”
Though, if we wanted to be assholes, we should pick that shit out of spite. Rebecca would deserve it for the way she had treated Quinn so nasty, but I couldn’t do that to Drew. He was a good guy, and he specifically said no carrot cake. I still didn’t know why he wanted to marry her. I had wracked my brain on the drive here, and nothing had come to me. Still sitting here, nothing.
Quinn laughed, and I coughed, choking out the word, “Water.”
Quinn poured me a glass from the pitcher in the center of the table, a wide smile on her full lips at my plight. “Here. There’s no way I’m even putting that near my mouth.” I could think of something better to stick in her mouth, but I kept that thought to myself.
“How are we doing?” The server returned to grab our plates.
“That’s a no on the carrot cake,” Quinn told her.
“All right. Next is our signature chocolate raspberry truffle cake.” She placed the samples in front of us and took away the carrot cake. This one was much better, but I knew Drew would hate it because he wasn’t a fan of berry flavored stuff. We passed on it, Quinn knowing the same thing.
“Next we have the Bride’s favorite, caramel apple cake.” It was the best of the three, but not something I would have picked for a wedding cake. And if she’d already picked this, why were we even here? That made no sense, but whatever.
“If their marriage is anything like these cakes taste, my brother is in for a rude awakening.” Quinn made a disgusted face. “That last bit of apple was as bitter as Rebecca.” Quinn giggled.
We took bites of so many cakes I thought I was going to be sick. One should not try so many flavors at one time. It would be something I remembered for a very long time.
Last was a sea salt caramel cake, and with one bite we both agreed was the best.
However, when the server returned to ask for our pick, I asked, “Give us a few more minutes to think it over.” I wasn’t ready for my time with Quinn to be over. It was selfish, but I had missed her, and convincing her to take a chance on us wasn’t going to be easy. “No problem. Take all the time you need.”
I scooted my chair closer to hers, our arms brushing.
“What are you doing?”
“I meant what I said about dinner.” I squeezed her thigh, and she sighed deeply.
“What if I have plans tonight?”
“Change them. I’m not leaving here until you agree to dinner tonight.” I inched my hand further up her thigh, and she shoved my hand away, causing it to fly completely off her. She meant business, but so did I.
“No.”
“Don’t test me, babe.” I put my hand back, this time closer to her panties. “I’m not taking no for an answer.” I teased at the lace. “What color you got on under there?”
“None of your business.” She pouted, but I knew I was wearing her down.
