Page 10 of Dream Lover
Drew came up to us, a worried look on his face. He held out his hand to me. “Conner? You’re here with my sister?” Yeah, he was in shock.
I swung my arm around Quinn’s shoulder. “Yes. Isn’t she beautiful?”
Rebecca scoffed and grabbed Drew’s arm, officially cutting off our conversation. “Okay, let me introduce you really quick.” Rebecca did this by pointing to people and telling me their names, not actually introducing me to any of them. Quinn was stiff at my side. At the small of her back, I rubbed my thumb up and down and felt her take a sharp intake of breath.
“Okay, eat,” Rebecca decreed, and I was relieved. If I could get through this week without telling Rebecca off, it would be a miracle.
Quinn and I grabbed our plates and got in line with one of the other couples. Carley, as Rebecca introduced as her as a co-worker, and her boyfriend Joe were bickering in front of us about the menu not being vegan or some shit.
I loaded my plate with bacon, eggs, pancakes, and sausage. Quinn had cereal with fruit and yogurt on the side along with some toast. I didn’t know why she didn’t grab herself some bacon. I put extra on my plate because I knew once we sat down, she’d swipe mine. She used to drive me crazy when she’d pull that crap at breakfast during her sleepovers with Carrie. Now it was a fond memory. Who would’ve thought bacon swiping would become a fond memory? Not me, that was for sure.
I took my seat next to Bruce, who was Laura’s husband. Laura was Rebecca’s cousin. Good ol’ Bruce reeked of liquor and appeared haggard. He must’ve tied one last night. The only thing in front of him was a cup of black coffee. With the looks his wife was giving him from across the room, I was willing to bet Bruce was in the doghouse already.
The moment Quinn sat next to me Rebecca didn’t waste another moment in spilling her joy *cough* around. I dug into my food.
“Good morning, everyone. I’m so thrilled you’re all here with us to share in this joyous occasion. And give yourselves a hand that you were all punctual.” She quietly clapped her hands together in applause. Such a bitch.
I heard Quinn clear her throat beside me, making me smile into my eggs just as she reached over and snatched a piece of my bacon. Damn, I missed that.
“I love all of you and can’t wait to put your love to the test along with our own. Each day this week we will have time together as a group, then you will be assigned your challenge for the day. At the end of the week we have a final challenge, and the couple who wins gets a gift from us.” Glancing at the other couples, she smirked. “I look forward to participating in each of your weddings, well except for Quinn naturally, and well Bruce and Laura are already hitched.” Rebecca’s gaze centered in on me and Quinn as I felt Quinn’s body stiffen. “It was so kind of you to step in and take one for the team, Conner. I know Quinn’s Andrew’s little sister, and you felt obligated to be her date this week. Such a gentleman.”
I felt Quinn go rigid as a statue next to me. Hurt and anger radiated off her in waves. You could feel it in the air of the room. I draped my arm around her shoulders and pulled her in close to my chest. Quinn came with ease, her mind otherwise occupied. “No thanks needed. I believe you’re mistaken, though. I am not a volunteer. I’m completely smitten with my girl here.” I leaned into Quinn, kissing her temple and smelling her hair. It smelled tropical, like coconuts and mangoes.
“I’m sorry, man,” Andrew started trying to apologize for his bitch of a woman, but I cut him off. I wasn’t going to allow anyone to make Quinn feel like shit for being single. There was nothing wrong with not having a man. For me, I was damn glad she wasn’t with anyone. So fuck Rebecca.
My hand went up. “No need to apologize, Drew. Your woman had no idea we were together. I asked Quinn to keep it hush hush, not wanting to overshadow your excitement with our news.” I lied through my teeth with a smile and loved every second of it. “You know me, and how I’ve always cared about your sister. I wasn’t about to let Quinn bring anyone to Vegas who wasn’t me. Now let the games begin because my girl and I are going to hands down win."
Rebecca narrowed her eyes on us like she was trying to piece together whether or not I was telling the truth, but before she could poke and prod, Daniel, another member of the wedding party, said, “Right on. Let the shenanigans begin, but Paula and I got this in the bag. Don’t we, sweetheart?”
“Yeah we do.” The redhead squeezed his bicep, smiling cattily up at him. Shit, were all of Rebecca’s friends raging bitches?
I looked at Quinn and rolled my eyes to the heavens. No way anyone was beating us. This competition was all ours.
“Thanks for that,” she whispered, looking at the floor.
“Hey…” I tilted her chin up, meeting her gaze. “She’s a bitch. Don’t let her get to you. She’s nothing. We’re going to have fun this week. That I promise.”
“Okay.” Momentarily she appeared unsure of herself, and I wrapped my arms around her and kissed the top of her head. It only took a second before Quinn’s arms came around me, and she melted into my body. That felt good. I liked the feel of her giving herself to me too much.
“Oh, make sure you look your best for today’s challenge. Dress to impress,” Rebeca announced snottily. I shook my head and saw Drew staring at his shoes, hands in his pockets. For a guy who was supposedly marrying the love of his life he didn’t appear very happy. Loved Drew, but he knew my feelings about Rebecca; we’d talked many times about it. There was nothing more I could do for him. He’d have to figure this life out on his own. Quinn was my priority.
Leaning into her ear, I whispered, “Want to get out of here for a bit?”
She pulled back a touch, giving me those green eyes. “Why, what are you up to?”
“Let’s do some damage with this.” I pulled out my credit card, holding it up between my two fingers. “You need a new dress for today, and I need something to wear because I didn’t bring anything fancy.”
“Conner, you’re not paying for my dress.”
My arms gave her a squeeze. “I’m afraid you don’t get a say in the matter. Didn’t you pay attention? It’s gentleman’s choice.”
A smile played at her lips. “You just made that up.”
“Maybe … maybe not. You gonna go talk to Rebecca and find out?”
“You’re impossible.” She might have said those words, but the grin gave her away.
“Humor me, Quinn.”
