Again, I was wowed. Umbrella-topped tables were sprinkled around the cozy closed-in area. A massive grill that Daddy would be envious of was the focal point as the sun glinted off the stainless-steel top. And flowering trees provided shade in just the right spots. The place rivaled an outdoor dining facility at a high-end restaurant.
“It’s good to see you,” Maiken said, keeping his distance as he sized me up. “You look as pretty as ever.”
I certainly didn’t look like death as I had that morning in the hospital. I smelled better for one, and I was dressed in a pair of capris, cute flats, and a flowery blouse.
I threw myself at him. “I’m sorry about my party. I’m sorry I was such a bitch to you at the hospital. Don’t leave. Please stay at Kensington.” I was officially a wild woman and a basket case. Tears poured out like I had no control of my emotions.
His hands dove into my long hair. “Hey.” He pressed his body to mine, finally wrapping his arms around me.
I sighed so heavily, I swore I was ready to scream or burst into a song.
He hugged me tightly. “It’s okay. I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have walked out without talking to you. I was shocked that you were drunk.”
I nuzzled into the crook of his neck, absorbing his heady scent that was a mixture of soap and sweat. “It won’t happen again.” I’d said those words a thousand times to my parents and to myself.
Stepping back, he grasped my hands and locked eyes with me. “I know, Quinn.” He swallowed. “I can’t do drinking.”
I nodded. “I’m never touching the stuff again.”
He gave me a sexy grin. “But I hope you’ll touch other things.” He waggled his eyebrows.
My cheeks burned like an inferno as I replayed that quiet interlude we’d had on the side of the barn. “Me too.”
He laughed, sounding relieved and free. “You realize we kind of had our first fight.”
I gnawed on my bottom lip. “It felt more like a breakup than a fight.”
He gave me a smile that made me feel gooey and warm. “I do love you.”
I threw myself at him again. “You don’t know how much I needed to hear that. I love you to the stars and back.”
His body vibrated with laughter as we held each other for a long moment before he released me. “I haven’t made a decision yet on whether to attend here or not. I actually wanted to talk to you about it.”
I pinched my eyebrows. “Really? I just told you not to leave Kensington.”
“True. But that’s your emotions talking. Believe me, Quinn, I don’t want to be miles apart from you, but I might have a better opportunity here to get seen by scouts.”
My hands shook. “Then you should join your brothers and sister.” I didn’t want to whine or be a big baby, even though I would miss not seeing him in the halls at Kensington or stealing a few minutes in between classes in our little hideaway supply closet.
He tugged me across the ivy-entwined, lattice-covered courtyard until we were on a curved stone bench.
“This school looks expensive,” I said through a sniffle.
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I guess. So you’re not grounded anymore?”
“I am. Your mom convinced my mom to let me come with her.” I’d been surprised Christine was able to get Momma to say yes. Like Daddy, she hadn’t gotten past her disappointment, and for a very good reason.
My party had been the gossip at Sunday Mass, and my parents hated when we were the talk of the town. Daddy was a proud man, and he wanted everyone to know the Thompson family didn’t cause trouble. He also felt that we could lose business if folks had a bad taste in their mouth with us.
Regardless, Momma hadn’t given me a good reason as to why she’d agreed to let me go. My theory was that Christine had told her Maiken would be leaving in the fall and it would be good for me to see him one last time.
“What will you decide?” I asked.
Maiken hopped up and shoved both hands through his hair. “It’s a tough decision, Quinn. I don’t want to leave my mom either.” He squatted down and placed his hands on my legs. “It’s not like we’re breaking up.” Pain etched his handsome features.
It sure feels like we are.“I know. But I won’t see you every day.”
He chuckled. “I doubt you will even if I stay at Kensington. We don’t take the same curriculum. After school, I’d been planning on joining a community basketball league to keep my skills sharp.”
