Until Next Time

by Dell, Justine

  Piper pushed around the labeled containers of food in her freezer, looking for something that looked decent to eat. She settled on pasta. As the microwave did its job, Piper thought of the thin spaghetti noodles, then Lady and the Tramp, and then the image of Quinn’s lips skidded her thoughts to a halt.

  The microwave dinged, causing Piper to jump.

  God, where had her mind gone? She’d turned him down. The train has left the building…no lingering allowed.

  She jerked the pasta out of the machine. The scent of the sauce and noodles brought those kissable lips to her mind again. She dumped the dinner in the trash and plopped down on the sofa, grumbling.

  It wasn’t as if she’d never dated. She had. Several times, in fact. Just because she didn’t believe in love didn’t mean she couldn’t have a relationship. She was, after all, a woman with needs. Sex was healthy. It was needed. Piper preferred the no-strings-attached approach. Her relationships tended to end when the man got too serious.

  Which is why she had turned Quinn down. He wasn’t the no-strings-attached type. Judging by his family, he loved—and hard. They all did. That was something Piper did not have the time or energy to deal with. Not that she would want to if she had the time or the energy. Love was a fairytale. One that didn’t always have a happy ending. Piper wanted nothing to do with that.

  And yet, Quinn had looked so adorable standing in her foyer. Those beautiful eyes had stayed riveted on her, making her want to wrap him in a hug. To feel the warmth she knew he had. She yanked out the bun in her hair, allowing her curls to spill across her face, hiding her blush from…herself.

  This was so stupid. She should have said yes. That would have been the polite thing to do. He’d just buried his grandmother, for chocolate’s sake. And she’d turned him down flat. Without explanation. If she’d done the smart thing, then she could have gotten to know him and he could have learned how Piper dealt with men in her life. Maybe they could’ve had a decent short-term relationship, like the rest of hers. She could handle that.

  But what she’d told him about the flowers had been true. She’d seen far too many over the years. And if she was going to give anyone any time of day, flowers weren’t the answer. She’d never dated a man who’d given her flowers. That was so generic, even for people who didn’t work in the funeral industry. Flowers wilted, turned brown, and died. What woman wanted to witness that? Then again, that’s how most relationships ended, so Piper suddenly thought it was fitting.

  But in the beginning, people deserved more than flowers. Women deserved something a little more special. Like the time she’d dated Dave from the flower shop. He’d known better than to give her flowers. Instead, he’d arranged for her hearse to be washed weekly for three months straight. How thoughtful was that?

  Piper pushed her hair out of her cooling face and curled herself into a ball on the couch. That’s what she wanted. Too feel different again. Like she wasn’t another girl who accepted the normal things. She was far from normal. She didn’t commit, didn’t love, so Piper enjoyed the ride while she had it.

  If Quinn could understand that, she’d have no problem saying yes the next time. Her eyes fluttered closed. Hopefully there would be a next time.

  The shrill of the phone broke through her almost-sleep.

  “Downing and Sons Funeral Home, this is Piper. How can I help you?” And like that, Piper was done thinking about herself, concerned more with the tears of the client who’d recently lost a loved one on the other end of her line.

  <<<<>>>>>

  Quinn strode through the door of his father’s home, instantly meeting the curious gaze of his grandpa. “Hey, Grandpa,” he said, handing him the vase Piper had given them. “Piper sent these for you.”

  His gray brow rose. “Sent them?”

  Quinn shuffled his feet. “Well, I went to see her, and she gave them to me to give to you.”

  The brows drew together. “Went to see her? Why?”

  “I, uh, wanted to ask her something.”

  His wrinkled face split into a wide grin. “Did you, now? And what did Miss Downing have to say?”

  Quinn didn’t miss the playful tone. Or the enunciation of miss. “She apparently has no inclination for dating me.”

  “What?” He dropped the vase on the table by the door unceremoniously. “I don’t believe that. How’d you manage to flub up asking for a date, son? She’s perfect…and single from what that nice secretary told me.”

  Quinn stifled a groan. She was perfect. More perfect than he’d seen in a while. And yet, so guarded. He’d have liked the opportunity to peel away some of the concrete layers covering her real self.

  They walked together into the family living room. Thank God his brothers hadn’t arrived yet to hear this conversation. They would give Quinn their ridiculous macho advice and make fun of him for not being able to get the deal done. Quinn could wait. He was a patient man. And he figured that Piper would need a little more wooing. With more than flowers.

  “Apparently she doesn’t like flowers.” Quinn folded himself into the hundred-year-old plaid couch. It wasn’t that old; it only felt like it.

  Grandpa settled himself into the trusty red recliner, leaning back as far as he could go. “When a girl spends her days comforting people, burying the dead, and seeing more flowers than most people see in their lifetime, she expects something different.”

  “I know.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “I should’ve thought of that sooner.”

  He leaned forward and patted Quinn on the knee. “Not to worry. You’ll figure it out. There isn’t a seamless recipe out there to help you catch her. Love is a game, after all. A beautiful, complicated game.”

  Love? Quinn didn’t mind the word. He’d been in love once. He’d do it again. But he thought his grandpa was getting a little ahead of himself. “Let’s try to get past the starting gate, Grandpa. How’s that?”

  “Sounds good.”

  Quinn eyed his grandpa. “How you holding up?”

  A knowing smile tilted the corners of his lips. “I’m okay. I miss her, you know.”

  Quinn nodded. He’d lost his wife after one year, and that still sliced through him every day. They’d lost the chance of doing so much together; growing old, having children. His grandparents had been married for over seventy. Quinn couldn’t imagine the loss of that magnitude. All those memories. The knowing that someone was always there for you. And now it’s just…gone. It would be painful and lonely. “I miss her, too.”

  Grandpa stretched out again on the recliner, rubbing a hand over his heart. “She’s here,” he said quietly. “And I’ll see her again. Soon. That’s what matters, son.”

  “I know.” Quinn swallowed hard, not wanting to think about losing two grandparents so closely together. But he knew his family’s outlook on death. After living a full life, it was a blessing. One that offered so much more than life. He felt the same. But like anything, death was still painful. They’d all learned to handle it better than most.

  The front door swished open, and loud voices echoed through the rooms.

  “Sounds like your brothers have arrived.”

  Great. “In here,” Quinn called out.

  KC strolled in first, Sarah in tow. His eyes scanned the room as he took Sarah’s hand into his. She smiled gently up at him.

  “Where’s Dad?” KC asked as he planted himself on the chair next to the couch. Sarah slid down onto his lap.

  “Out back manning the barbeque,” Grandpa replied. “He refused to let me near the grill. As usual.”

  Del popped in, his long strides taking him to the other end the couch in no time. “Old fart. Someday I’m gonna get a kick out of him not being able to move around so much and boss everyone around.”

  KC stretched out his leg and kicked him. “Watch your mouth.”

  Sarah chuckled and kissed KC’s cheek. He tugged her closer to his chest. “He’s a boy who hasn’t learned his manners yet. No lady to help him out, I suppose.”


  Del grunted and rubbed his shin like it actually hurt. “Hey, I’m only saying what you all are thinking.”

  At that, Grandpa laughed. “I did raise a stern…old fart. Is that what you said?”

  Del snorted. “Yeah. Good thing Ma’s got enough love and devotion to deal with it.”

  “Perfect pair, those two,” Grandpa said quietly.

  Quinn chuckled in agreement. Perfect pair, indeed. His mother was patient, kind, and loving, yet she could douse a raging fire lightning fast. And that’s what his father was. A raging fire. When he wanted to be. He’d toned down a bit over the years. Quinn guessed his age had something to do with it. He still did like his control, though. Even with his boys.

  As if on cue, their father’s voice boomed through the halls. “The food is not going to eat itself!”

  Their mother found them all seated in the living room. She shooed them up, helping Grandpa to his wobbly feet. “Come now. If the food gets cold, I’ll never hear the end of it.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” the boys replied in unison, shuffling in order out the back door.

  Sarah held back, her eyes focusing on Quinn. “KC told me about your lady friend.”

  Quinn rolled his eyes. “I don’t have a lady friend.”

  “The woman from the funeral home? KC mentioned you, uh…liked her the other day. Maybe he was mistaken.” A frown pulled on her brow. “Sorry.”

  “No, KC says too much.” Quinn gave her a quick smile. “I do like her. I asked her out even, but she turned me down flat.”

  Sarah’s jaw dropped. “Really? That’s surprising. When did you ask her?”

  Quinn rubbed his face. “Right after Grandma’s funeral.”

  “Not the best time, then,” Sarah commented.

  “Why’s that?”

  She shrugged. “Quinn, she probably thought you needed a shoulder or something. As a professional, it would only be right of her to turn you down nicely.”

  Quinn considered his ill-timed encounter. “You think it would’ve been different on another day?”

  “I’ve worked with you, Quinn. I know how you are. You’re one of the nicest people I’ve ever met and have a huge heart. And if you haven’t noticed, none of you are missing anything in the looks department.” She smiled, tossing her long black hair over shoulder as she peeked out the back door. “You’ve got everything going for you. Maybe you need to push a little more.”

  “You’re probably right,” Quinn answered, waving toward the party in the back. “I’ll think of something and try harder next time.”

  Sarah pattered his shoulder. “That’s what I like to hear. And Quinn?” Her voice went calm, serious. “Remember I’m always here if you want to talk.”

  A rock lodged in his gut. He didn’t want to think about his past. He only wanted to date Piper, have some fun and enjoy her company, see if he could get her to laugh. He only needed to find out the secret to Piper. The secret that would make her say yes.

  Chapter Five

  “Jessica?” Piper peeked out of her private office door, spying her secretary clicking away at the computer.

  Her head shot up. “Yes?”

  “Mr. Ryan will be stopping by today to finalize his wife’s arrangements.”

  “I thought he already did that?”

  Piper came all the way out into the foyer, sweeping her eyes around quickly to make sure no one else was there. She’d learned that lesson already. “We had, sort of. Then he made a decision to cremate his wife due to his ability to pay.”

  Jessica’s young face pinched into a frown. “That’s sad.”

  “That’s what I wanted to discuss with him. I hate to see his wife not get the funeral she deserves because of his financial situation.” Piper wasn’t made of money, but she did what she could when the time called for it. Her father had taught her that. This was one of those times. And there was always the foundation Quinn had mentioned. She didn’t have the details, but she could get them with a simple phone call. “He should be here any minute. When he arrives, could you please see him to the consultation room?”

  “Of course.”

  A knock at the front door made Piper swing her attention in that direction. She drew her brows together. “Who would be knocking? No one ever knocks.”

  Jessica jumped up and scampered in her practical flats across the space of the foyer. It really shouldn’t be called a foyer. It was, after all, the same size as her entire apartment upstairs. It was an office, meet and greet, and sitting place all-in-one.

  When the door swung all the way open, showing Quinn carrying a box wrapped in black paper and a silver bow, Piper’s breath rushed out.

  Jessica giggled. “It’s for you,” she said with a sly grin.

  Piper tried to roll her eyes, but quickly found she actually couldn’t. They were glued to Quinn. She’d only seen him in suit and tie, but today he looked…normal. Touchable. Dark washed jeans hugged his lean, long legs. A slightly ruffled forest green T-shirt made his eyes gleam. His short but curly hair looked a little mussy. The hairdo women wanted to run their fingers through.

  “Good morning, Piper,” he said, taking one solid step across the threshold. “I hope this isn’t a bad time.”

  Was his voice different? Deeper? Softer? Sexier?

  Piper shook her hands at her sides before giving a tight smile and breezing toward him. “Good morning. To what do I owe this visit?” She eyed the box in his hands.

  He dipped his head toward her, speaking low. “Is there someplace we could talk?” He glanced back at Jessica. “Alone?”

  A frisson of excitement raced up her spine. No, it was panic. Wasn’t it?

  “Sure.” She waved her hand to the consultation area to the right of the foyer. She waited for him to move, but he didn’t.

  His eyes slid from her to the door. “Ladies first.”

  She withheld her smirk. Chivalry wasn’t dead, after all. Taking controlled steps and hoping he wasn’t staring at her butt in her fitted skirt, Piper went first. Once inside, she spun about to face him. A soft gasp escaped her when she found herself nose-to-chest with him. Why had he walked so close to her? Didn’t he know anything about personal space? Before scurrying back a few steps, she inhaled his scent. The crisp, earthy aroma of his cologne made her knees wobble slightly. Maybe it wasn’t his cologne. Maybe that scent was just him.

  One long step back and she looked him in the eyes. There was a bit of humor there.

  Her gaze swung to the couch. Then the two separate chairs. Then back to the couch. “Do we need to sit?”

  “No, this won’t take long.” His voice held a rasp of uncertainty. He held up the box to her. “This is for you.”

  She stared at the glittering black box, speechless.

  “Open it.” He pushed it into her limp hands. “Please?”

  She mentally smacked herself. Get it together, Piper. This is another regular man. “Of course.” Her fingers wound around the bountiful silver bow, pulling the knot undone. The fabric snaked down and slithered to the floor. She popped off the lid to the box and eyed the contents. Next thing she knew, she was rolling with laughter. She sucked in a tight breath, trying to control her chuckles. Reaching inside the box, she pulled out her gift.

  “A giant hearse-shaped cookie?” she asked, baffled. She had to admit, though, it was clever. And it looked yummy. “It has icing on it, chrome details and everything.”

  Her eyes met his. His amusement was evident. “There’s more.” He yanked the little strips of white cushy paper from the box, showcasing another trinket in the bottom.

  Piper almost busted out laughing again. She set the cookie on the nearest table and took out her second gift.

  Her brows drew together as she flipped through the pages. “Mortuary Confidential?” She playfully scowled at him. “You bought me a book about how to live life outside of a mortuary?”

  His grin was quick. “You looked like you needed it.”

  “Is that so?” Her tongue rolled ins
ide her cheek.

  His expression remained the same, his eyes never leaving hers. “That’s so.”

  He took the box from her hands, setting it down on the floor quickly, and closed the small distance between them. If she’d leaned forward, her face could touch his chest. Piper didn’t move back.

  He spoke again. “I recommend you start immediately.”

  Piper tamped down on the sudden urge to lean closer. “How?” she whispered.

  “Dinner.” His fingers brushed across her cheek. “Friday.” His touch lingered on a stray tendril of her hair.

  She was completely caught in his eyes, her stomach fluttering around like someone was doing a trapeze act in there. Attraction was normal for her. But her clammy hands, her thundering heart, and the threat of losing her lunch were not.

  “Deal?” His breath washed over her face.

  She wanted to suck him in. Drown in the essence of him. Again, not something she normally thought about in a possible lover. Boyfriends and anything of the sexual sort had been more of business arrangement for her. Business that was easy come, easy go. No feelings. Not really. No attachments. No hurt. But Quinn was different. She’d sensed that from the first moment she’d looked at him. He was captivating. Yet he didn’t realize how easily he commanded female attention. He was so intense, but without meaning to be. He was naturally confident and comfortable. Possibly not even knowing that his close proximity had ignited a million little fires in her belly. There was no way he could see that. Because if he did he would back off. Or take her right now on the floor.

  “Piper?”

  Cheese and crackers. Get a grip, woman!

  “Yes?” Her voice came out choked.

  One side of his lips curled into a devastating smile. “Yes? Friday? Six?”

  She nodded numbly, aching to step away from the electricity flickering between their too-close bodies.

  “Good.” He bent and kissed her cheek. Softly. Subtly. “I’ll pick you up here.”