At Your Most Beautiful by Harper Bliss (best free ereader .TXT) 📗

“Her parents were my friends. That’s not something I can just ignore. She’s only six years older than my son.” Maya huffed out some air. “So, yes, complicated is surely the right word for it.”

“Yeah. My dad’s new wife’s barely older than me. She’s supposed to be my stepmother now. I’m not going to lie. It’s weird.”

Maya’s ears perked up. “Do you and your dad get along well?”

“Let’s just say I prefer to spend Thanksgiving at my mom’s.” Griff slapped her hand over her mouth. “Sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I’ve always got along better with my mom, even before my dad married Brittany.”

“His new wife isn’t the main reason you don’t see him very often?”

“She contributes to it, but it’s more of a personality thing than an age thing. She’s just… insufferable half the time. Quinn’s like the opposite of Brittany. I didn’t mean to imply anything.”

“It’s like fifty/fifty in here.” Maya pressed her hand to her chest. “I have such a good time when I’m with Quinn. It’s magical. But I can’t picture it going any further than what we have now because of our age difference and our families. I just can’t see it.”

“Give it some time.” Griff twirled her empty glass between her fingers. “Enjoy yourselves together and see where it goes. No life-changing decisions need to be made right off the bat.”

“True.” Maya let her gaze wander around the kitchen. If she was going to enjoy herself with Quinn more, it wouldn’t be in this dingy walk-up—although she wouldn’t mind going to that club again.

“I’ve known Quinn for a long time and she’s good people,” Griff said. “She can be a little cocky but she has a kind heart and that’s important, you know?”

Maya enjoyed Quinn’s cockiness. It was what had brought her to this point. It was also easy to tell that Quinn was a good person. But that didn’t solve any of Maya’s issues—on the contrary.

Chapter 30

When Quinn woke up she figured she was still in the exact same position she’d fallen asleep in, so deeply had she slept. The only thing missing from last night’s picture was Maya. For a second, panic overtook her. Had Maya left without saying goodbye? And if so, why? They’d had an amazing time at the club—and afterward.

Quinn hopped out of bed, threw on a T-shirt and a pair of boxers, and went in search of Maya. She found her drinking coffee with Griff in the living room.

“You’ve met. Great.” She hesitated a fraction before walking over to Maya resolutely and giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Morning.”

“I’m going to take a shower,” Griff announced.

“You don’t have to go because of us,” Maya said, surprising Quinn. How long had she and Griff been sitting here? And more importantly, what had they been talking about? Quinn couldn’t put her finger on it, and maybe she was still tired from last night and brain fog was playing tricks on her mind, but she sensed something was off.

Griff waved off her comment and disappeared into the hallway.

Quinn took her place in the couch. She offered Maya her widest smile. “Did you sleep well?”

Maya shook her head.

“Oh.” Quinn shuffled a little closer. “Are you a little grouchy this morning because you didn’t get your beauty sleep?” She put a hand on Maya’s knee. She was fully dressed already. When had all this happened? Quinn must have really been out of it.

“Quinn.” Maya shook her head. “I didn’t sleep a wink. I—” She puffed up her cheeks and slowly let out the air. “I’m really tired.”

“We can go back to bed. Get some more sleep. It’s Sunday.”

Maya shook her head. “I just want to go home.”

“Hey.” Quinn gently rubbed Maya’s knee. “I get that you’re tired. Do you want me to take you home? We can hang out at your place, if you prefer.” Quinn was getting the impression that was the very last thing Maya wanted.

“I don’t ‘hang out’, Quinn.” She sighed again and it sounded much more exasperated this time. “This is not who I am. This—” She gestured her hand about. “It’s not how I live. It’s not me.”

“Last night you were you.” Quinn found Maya’s tone a touch too accusatory.

“Yes. I very much was.” Maya put her hand on Quinn’s. “And thank you so very much for that. I mean it.”

“But?” Quinn asked.

“Maybe we should cool things off for a while. Take a breath.”

“Cool things off? What do you mean? We went dancing. We had a great time. We can do it again whenever you want to. That’s it. I’m not asking you to marry me here, Maya. Nor am I asking you to tell Tommy that we’re seeing each other.”

“But can’t you see what’s happening?” Maya shuffled away from Quinn. “I’m falling for you and I think it’s a really bad idea.”

Such a fine line between elation and desperation, Quinn thought. “You’re tired. Last night was amazing and now you’re sitting here in the cold light of day, looking at me and wondering what the hell to do with me. I get it. It’s confusing. It might all seem like a bad idea right now, but you should sleep on it. Properly sleep, I mean.”

“I really should.” Maya held out her hand. Quinn took it in hers. “I know I’m being impossible.”

“It’s only because you’re feeling your age,” Quinn quipped but regretted it immediately.

Luckily, Maya could just about manage a chuckle.

“We’ll get you an Uber. Go home and rest. Call me tomorrow. Or later today. Whenever you feel like it. Okay?”

“Come here.” Maya pulled her close. “Why are you the reasonable-sounding one right now?”

“I’ve had a lot of experience dealing with… ladies like yourself.” Relief coursed through Quinn because she’d managed to defuse the situation.

“Oh fuck, Quinn, what am I going to do with you?” Maya cupped Quinn’s cheeks in her palms and kissed her softly but quickly on the lips.

“So, I hear you’re falling for