Page 32 of The Unseen
“See you tomorrow then,” Drew said as he laboriously got to his feet. “Enjoy your Christmas shopping.”
“How did you know I was going Christmas shopping?” Quinn asked, astounded by Drew’s skills of deduction.
“The list fell out of your pocket, probably when you put your gloves away and withdrew your hand after.”
Quinn looked down at the floor. Sure enough, her shopping list lay beneath the table, with Gabe’s name at the top. “And there I thought you were clairvoyant,” she joked.
“I am. I can tell you with almost one-hundred percent accuracy that you’re about to spend a lot more than you’re planning to.” Drew’s laugh was rich and velvety, and Quinn and Logan joined in. Drew was spot-on.
SEVENTEEN
Quinn arrived at the station early, eager to get going. It being Saturday, she didn’t have to rush back. She’d left Gabe with several bottles of expressed milk and a supply of nappies. He planned to spend the morning at home, then take the children for a walk, and stop in at Emma’s favorite pizza restaurant on the way back.
“Don’t worry about us. We’ll be fine,” he’d assured Quinn.
“You’ve never been alone with both children for such a long stretch before.”
“I can handle it.”
“I know you can. I’m just being neurotic,” Quinn had explained.
“You’re a new mum. You’re allowed to be neurotic.”
“Ring me if you have any problems.”
“I won’t have any problems.”
Quinn knew that, but she still worried. Gabe was accustomed to being alone with Emma, but spending hours with an infant was new to him. She hoped he wouldn’t forget to burp Alex after feeding or wait too long to change his nappy. Alex hated being wet.
Stop fussing, she told herself as she waited for Drew.Gabe is perfectly capable of handling one little boy for a few hours. Give him some credit. But she was still worried. She took out her mobile and sent him an exploratory text, to which he promptly replied that all was well. Quinn breathed out a sigh of relief and walked toward Drew when she saw him coming down the platform.
“Are you always early?” Drew asked with a friendly smile.
“No, you’re just always late.”
“That’s what my wife says. We have a few minutes to spare before the train leaves, so I’m exactly on time. Are you going to fret the whole time?” Drew asked as he settled into his aisle seat.
“How do you know I’m fretting? Did something fall out of my pocket?” Quinn joked.
“No, it’s written all over your face and you keep checking your mobile.”
“You know, I’m glad Gabe is not a detective. Living with him would be pretty hard if I couldn’t hide a single emotion.”
“My wife says that too, although I’m not nearly as observant as she thinks.”
“I see we’re in agreement on a number of things, your wife and I. Wise woman.”
“That’s why I married her,” Drew replied, smiling lazily. “Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. Nothing you can do from here anyway.”
“You don’t have children, do you?” Quinn asked, thinking Drew was too laid back to be a father.
“I do, as it happens. From my previous marriage. Two teenage girls. I think I have more reason to worry, wouldn’t you say?”
“Can’t argue with you there. Teenagers are terrifying,” Quinn said.
“You have no idea.”
The ride passed quickly and then they took a taxi to the studio. Drew was more than willing to walk from the station, but Quinn could barely contain her excitement and didn’t want to waste time. The taxi dropped them off in front of the studio, called Picture Perfect. Portraits of varying sizes were displayed in the window, most of them of smiling families and adorable children.There was even a portrait of a poodle, groomed and adorned with a pink bow.
