“Yes!” Emily shouts.
It’s then we hear the courthouse doors open, Declan and Quinn stepping out.
“Everything okay?” Caleb asks when they get closer to us.
“Not really,” Declan offers after glancing at Quinn.
“What did she say?” Emily asks.
Quinn shakes her head, unable to form words.
Declan seems to catch on and answers, “Nothing meaningful.”
“Emily and I were thinking we should have ladies’ night out tonight. To…I don’t know, decompress from this day?” I reach for Quinn’s hand, trying to offer her comfort.
“I appreciate the offer, but I don’t think I’m up for that tonight.” She squeezes my hand before releasing it.
“Then breakfast tomorrow morning. I won’t take no for an answer. I fly back to Boston on Sunday,” I say definitively. I can see the tension in her body. It seems she needs a distraction more than anyone else.
“It’s only for a week.” Declan chuckles.
“I know, but you’re leaving me to deal with Mom and Dad alone for Christmas this year. It’s only fair I get to steal your girlfriend for a bit.”
I know he doesn’t agree with my decision to go see Mom and Dad, even not knowing everything that happened, but he begrudgingly agreed to support my decision. Besides, like I told Gage, I have to pack my things at some point. The sooner I do it, the better.
Declan chuckles softly before responding. “Hey, if Quinn wants to go to breakfast with you, I have no complaints. I’m just saying you’ll only be gone for a week. It’s not like you’re leaving forever.”
Quinn leans into Declan’s side, looking at me. “Breakfast tomorrow sounds good.”
“Great! Nine o’clock at The Diner?” At her nod, I turn to Emily. “Can you do breakfast?”
“Unfortunately, I can’t. I’ve got a shift tomorrow. But both of you have fun. I’ll see you at Sunday breakfast before your flight home.”
“All right.” Scott steps forward. “Let’s get out of here. Who’s riding with who?”
“Did you drive?” Quinn asks.
“I did. Picked up Ava on my way here,” he confirms.
“Emily and I came together, but we can give anyone who needs one a ride,” Caleb offers.
“I’ll ride with you, Dad. I need to grab my stuff from Declan’s truck.”
“You sure? You and Dec don’t have plans?” Scott asks, concern flashing over his face when he glances at Declan.
“Nope. I just want to go home, change into comfy clothes and loaf in front of the TV.” She doesn’t look at Declan even though he tries to catch her eye. “Besides, as Ava mentioned, she’s going back to Boston. You should have some time together, just the two of you.” She glances at Declan briefly before looking at me, an almost pleading look in her eye.
I hesitate, not wanting to get in the middle of whatever is happening here, but quickly decide to give her what she wants. “Yeah. She’s right. We haven’t had a night for just us since I got to town.”
“Of course.” Declan’s voice is a little strained when he responds.
“Okay. Are we all parked in the lot at the side of the courthouse?” Scott asks, reading the situation and trying to move it along.
“Yeah,” Declan confirms.
We all begin moving toward the parking lot. Caleb and Emily leading us, with Scott and me behind them. Declan and Quinn bring up the rear, falling a little further behind while they talk in hushed voices.
“Don’t stress about anything,” Scott says, pulling me back to the moment. “Like you said, everything went exactly like we thought it would.”
