Page 120 of A Me and You Thing
“I do now.”
She kisses my bare chest a few times and looks up at me with tender eyes.
“So,” she says, “I guess we’re back to the question I posed before I left on my trip.”
“What was that?”
“What will we do up here by ourselves for the next two days?”
“I brought a deck of cards.”
She lets out a peal of laughter at my quick response. It’s music to my ears.
I go on. “We’re gonna squeeze every drop of juice out of the orange. Hiking. Bird watching. Swimming in the creek. I hope you brought your bathing suit.”
Laughter continues to roll out of her, the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard. I can’t resist. I tackle her and kiss her soundly. She’s soft and willing in my arms.
“No worries. We’ll think of something,” I tell her as we sink into each other. “Quinn?” I say in between kisses.
“Hmmmmm?”
“You’re my fave.”
Her eyes light up and she smiles at me. I promptly kiss that smile away.
Epilogue
Bree
I SHUT THE gate on the white picket fence and slowly walk up the pathway. So many memories of living here fill my mind. I’m not sure this is a good idea.
I’ve decided it’s time to make my peace with Quinn. Our friendship will never be what it once was. I can’t hang out with her and hear about how great things are with Sawyer. At the very least, we can kiss and make up, though. I need it, even if she doesn’t.
The irony is... she’s home, yet she’s as inaccessible as when I thought she was gone forever. When something newsworthy happens in my life, I automatically reach for my phone to call her. It’s sobering and reminds me of how much I miss her.
It’s been three long months since I packed up and moved out. Left behind my perfect life. It was difficult. I’m sure it was hard for Josie and Jordyn too. At the time, it felt like ripping off the band-aid was best for all concerned. Prolonging the goodbye was going to be agony. It was simply time to make the switch. Done deal. I left the girls with their mother, who they belonged with in the first place.
Even so, I can’t wait to see them.
Sawyer called me and told me I was welcome to see them anytime. It was awkward, but I appreciated the offer. I felt like my presence would make it harder for Quinn to bond with them, though, so I’ve stayed away. Proud of myself for it too.
Okay, I didn’t want to see Sawyer. I admit it.
I received a letter from Quinn, thanking me for caring for her daughters. It was flowery, gracious, and overly effusive. I might have cried a little. I keep it in the drawer of my nightstand and it’s already a little worn from rereading it. It’s proof that the Scarlett’s of this world can be good, do good. We’re not entirely selfish.
There was no mention of Sawyer in my letter. Our little foray has been erased from the history books. I’m like the deleted scene at the end of a movie. I guess we’ll all pretend like it never happened.
Quinn isn’t expecting me today. I’m not sure how I’ll be received. Here goes nothing.
I switch the bag I’m holding into my left hand and push the doorbell with my right hand.
Quinn answers the door wearing jean shorts and a white blouse, her hair in a loose side braid. She looks good, tan, healthy, back to her normal weight. Her hair is arranged in such a way that it covers her forehead scar. It doesn’t matter anyway. It doesn’t take away from her delicate beauty.
After slight shock registers on her face, she composes herself quickly. “Hi, Bree,” she says slowly. “It’s good to see you. C’mon in.”
Courteous as always. That’s my Melanie.
“Thank you.” I look around the foyer of the house that still haunts my dreams. I miss it, but I’m at peace with everything. “I was hoping to see the girls and... visit with you for a bit.”
