Indefinite (Salvation #6)(38)



He’ll want to be a father to our child, but that doesn’t mean that I have to let him back into my life, right?

Right.

I groan at the flowers. “Stupid boy!”

Instead of allowing this to fester, I choose to let it go and keep my plans to ignore him and pay attention to the rest of the world.

When I open the door this time, my plans are thwarted once again.

“I preferred the flowers,” I say.

“I prefer you.”

Quinn is there, unshaven with the scruff almost a beard, his hair is pushed to the side, and his smile is heartbreakingly beautiful. If his shirt weren’t practically painted to his thick arms or his muscles weren’t quite so defined, it would make it easier to ignore him.

Then my mind recalls the way he looked naked, and damn if I don’t want to pull him inside and see about taking him to my bed instead of the couch.

“I was on my way out,” I reply, hoping he’ll take the hint that he’s not required.

His eyes rake my body, taking in the sweatshirt dress and chucks I’m wearing. I wanted to be cute and comfortable for my outing.

“I see you called out of work.”

“Not that it’s any of your business . . .”

Quinn smirks. “No, it’s not, and I wasn’t judging. I missed you and wanted to talk.”

My pulse spikes as fear hits me. What if he knows? What if Gretchen told Ben and he told Quinn? “Haven’t we done enough talking?” I ask, hoping he’ll reveal whatever it is he wants to discuss.

Quinn steps forward. “You see, I think that’s the issue. We don’t talk, as you once pointed out. We never really have. We were together for years, but in that time, I was gone and you were here. It got me thinking, why would you believe me when I’ve never told you how I feel?” I take a step back, wondering what the hell has gotten into him. “Then I came back, thinking I could explain to you I had changed, but when that didn’t work, I forced you to be around me when you didn’t want to be, which was dumb.”

“Yes, that is all true.”

He looks up, and the determination in his eyes stuns me. “I want to prove it, Ashton. I want to show you that I mean what I say by giving you what you need. I haven’t done that.”

“I think when we slept together it was a clear indication . . .”

“No.” He shakes his head. “That night was the opposite of what I wanted to show you.”

“I don’t understand.”

I thought the night we slept together was exactly what we do. We fight. We have sex. We mess everything up and then pretend it never happened. Only, this time, I won’t be able to pretend. I walked away with more than just the proverbial T-shirt.

“I’m in love with you. So deeply in love with you that I don’t think there will ever be a way out. I know you don’t believe me, and I’ve done a pretty wonderful job of screwing up any chances to prove it, but that ends today. I don’t want angry sex, well”—Quinn smirks—“that’s a lie. I definitely want that, but not because you’re trying to make me leave you. Things are going to be different for us.”

“Really? How?”

Quinn takes another step forward. “I want us to date.”

I stare at him, waiting for the punchline. “Didn’t we do that for three years? Didn’t pan out so well.”

“We didn’t date, Ash. Not seriously. So, I would like to know if you’d be willing to have dinner with me or lunch or breakfast or, hell, just a snack?”

“Are you seriously asking me on a date? Like a real date where you pick me up, pay, and I get all dressed up?”

Quinn nods. “Not very well, it seems.”

In all the time we’ve been together, I don’t think that’s ever happened. When we started our relationship, there wasn’t anything official. I was in Virginia Beach, we met, we were attracted to each other, and we slept together. Since it was really freaking good, we kept doing it. Then we were . . . a couple.

Dates were more of us hanging out and lots of fantastic sex.

But can I date him? I mean, we’re going to have a baby. I don’t know that it could ruin things any more than they already are. I love the stupid jerk. I’m already pregnant. What’s the harm in dating?

There’s always the risk of getting my hopes destroyed. Although, I don’t have any hope that he’s serious this time. So, that should take care of that.

“I’m not sure what to say . . .”

He smiles and takes another step forward, clasping my hand in his. “Ashton Caputo, will you go on a date with me?”

Butterflies take flight in my stomach, reminding me of how much Quinn can wreak havoc on my heart. Regardless, I would like us to find a way not to be enemies. It would make this less painful for both of us in the long run.

“How about we start with something a little easier?” I offer.

“Easier?”

“Yeah, I took off today since I didn’t sleep much last night, so why don’t you do some sightseeing with me? If that goes well and I don’t throw you off the top of the Empire State Building, then we’ll have dinner. We can . . . just . . . be friends first.”

Quinn grins and brings my hand to his lips, pressing with the slightest pressure. “I can’t wait for dinner.”

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