“You’re talking about dying.”
“Yes.”
And finally he was getting somewhere. Learning something. “You can’t think like that, Piper.”
“It’s the only way I know how to think.”
“Care to give me a chance to change how you think?”
Her grin made his heart beat faster. “You could try.”
“I think I’m up for the challenge.”
“Before we go one step further, I think it’s only fair that you know that Gavin asked me out for a date today.”
He blinked slowly, not allowing his discomfort to show. “Hopefully you told him you were taken?”
“Well, I didn’t know I was—officially—until tonight. I’ll make it clear to him the next time I see him.”
He cleared his throat. “Will you…uh, be seeing him soon? And, well, often?”
She squeezed his hand. “Don’t worry, Quinn. I’ll make sure he gets the message loud and clear. I think it’s safe to say that while what you and I have is, uh, a complicated, fascinating, and terrifying thing, I’m going to run with it.”
The tension slithered right out of him. Amazing, this girl. Simply amazing. “That’s the best news I’ve had all day.”
“And please understand that Gavin is a supplier, so I will see him on a fairly regular basis.”
Quinn didn’t care much for that idea, but like he’d said, he trusted Piper. “Seems fair. Question?”
“Shoot.”
“Was Gavin there during the box discovery?”
“Yes.”
“And, well, did you speak to him about it?”
Her grip on his hand faltered. “He came up to my apartment after I ran out of the basement. He wanted to make sure I was okay. Then he went on and on about our line of work and how easy it would be to be together because we each know what the other one wants…needs.”
“No attachment,” Quinn murmured. “No love?” Another small piece of the Piper puzzle fell into place.
“Something like that. We understand the business, Quinn. That’s all. We know what the clients need and what the dead need. We might share some of the same inner values, but it’s only because we grew up in a similar environment.”
“But that must seem—” what was the word he needed? “—comforting to you?”
She nodded. “Yes, briefly. Until I saw you in my doorway. And then when you rushed in to make sure I was okay, I couldn’t think about anything else but you. Sure, I’ve got some scrambled feelings in my gut right now, but that’s normal. Well, not really, because normally I would take every emotion, shove it in a box, and bury it, but I can’t seem to do that with you.”
He arched a brow. “I’ll take that as a compliment. I’d love to hear more about these emotions.”
“Well, there’s plenty more where that came from, believe you me.” She gave him a soft laugh, and it floated across the table, slamming right into him. What was it about this woman that made him tilt on his axis?
“You really are fascinating, Piper. I don’t know what it is about you that makes me want jump over this table right now.”
Her eyes went wide, and her lips twisted into a grin.
He glanced at his watch. “Crap, we have to go.”
She looked startled. “What? Something wrong?”
He hauled her up from the table. “We have to be at Grandpa’s in ten minutes or we’ll be forever barred from family game night.”
“Oooh…sounds serious,” she teased as he dragged her across the restaurant.
“It is serious. Remember when I said we don’t bite?”
She laughed again. “I remember.”
“Well, we don’t.” He paid at the front counter, and they rushed outside. “Until family game night comes around.”
<<<<>>>>>
It was the strangest sight Quinn had ever seen. Grandpa was vying for a chance to get his girlfriend on his Pictionary team. Piper was his date, she would be on his team.
“Listen up!” Dad rang in. “If you all can’t decide who is on what team, we’re playing something else.”
Quinn laughed and enjoyed the way Piper’s eyes lit up at the interactions between his family. They’d been easy on her during this game night. On their best behavior, really. They hadn’t fought over which games they were playing—each wanting to play the game they were best at—and they hadn’t even hauled out the traveling trophies the winners received and proudly marched around with at the end of the night. Quinn figured KC had tipped them off as to her arrival, and they had planned accordingly. He appreciated that.
But when it came to a game that required teams, his family had lost it.
“I want to play with a new partner on our team,” KC groaned. “We don’t ever get anyone new to play.”
“Tell Del he needs to bring over a friend next time around,” Quinn replied, tugging Piper closer against him.
KC frowned. “Del hasn’t had a friend in, like, two years.”
“To each his own,” Quinn murmured.
“Whatever. New partners mean new advantages, and everyone knows we need an advantage over this guy.” KC jabbed a finger toward his dad. “No offense.”
Marcus grinned. “I take it as the highest compliment.”
Sarah stroked KC’s arm. “I could always bring over a few of my friends, then you could fight over them.”
KC gave her a wolfish grin. “You can, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you want to see any of them again.”
Sarah laughed. “I think they could handle it.”
“At least I’ve got you to play with,” KC said, kissing Sarah quickly. “That’s all that matters.”
Quinn’s heart did a little lurch at the sight.
“I met Piper first, you know,” Grandpa’s voice chimed in. “She could qualify as my date.”
Piper giggled. Quinn could only shake his head in mild embarrassment.
“That settles it,” Dad barked. “We’re playing Imaginiff.”
KC made sound somewhere between a baby’s cry and a grunt. Grandpa laughed as Dad stepped out of the room to retrieve the game.
And Piper leaned over and whispered, “What’s Imaginiff?”
“It’s not as animated as Pictionary, but it’s as entertaining,” Quinn replied.
“I’ve never played Pictionary, either.”
“What? Really?”
“No brothers and sisters, remember? Busy parents?”
He touched her knee, giving it a squeeze. “I’m sorry. Don’t worry, though. After this night, you’ll never want to play another board game again.”
“I doubt that.”
He risked a kiss to her cheek and felt her shiver. His lips hovered over her ear. “You’re a glutton for punishment, then.”
She tilted her head towards him, her lips dangerously close to his. He still hadn’t gotten a chance to taste them. “Prove me wrong.” Her hand found his knee. She stroked a finger across his inner thigh. Dear God.
Were they talking about the board games or something else? His eyes scanned her face, stopping on her pinks lips long enough for his body to go rigid.
Thank God his father walked in and broke whatever spell she’d put on him during those few seconds.
“This game requires no teams,” he said, his voice stern. The entire room chuckled. He meandered over and sat next to Ma, who had remained surprisingly quiet during game night thus far.
“I’ll help you get the board set up, dear,” Ma said, popping open the lid to the box.
Like two pros, the duo had the game up and ready in the middle of the table in less than five minutes. It was good thing Del wasn’t here to argue about what color he was going to be. After a brief introduction to the game and an official reading of the rules since Piper had had never played, they were set to go.
Piper’s face lit up when Grandpa handed her the dice.
“Now you roll, Piper,” he said. She complied, biting her bottom lip. “Good. Five. Move the white marker
five spaces to the left or the right.”
Piper frowned. “But that makes me have to pick either Quinn or KC’s name on the board. I don’t know if I should make that decision.”
Quinn stroked her elbow, slowly, carefully. He felt the goose bumps rise on her arm.
“Quinn,” she squeaked, moving the white piece. “I choose Quinn.”
KC grumbled. “Figures. Playing favorites.”
Sarah leaned close to him. “You can be my favorite.”
“Just as you’re mine,” he replied, stealing another kiss.
“Remember it’s only a game,” Ma cooed.
“When do I get to move my yellow piece?” Piper asked.
“The actual moving of the players’ pieces depends on how many people answer this question right about Quinn—since that’s whose name you landed on.” He plucked a card from the top of the deck and handed it to her. “Read this—out loud—and put Quinn’s name in the blank.”
Piper took the card, smiling mischievously at Quinn. “Imaginiff Quinn were a Beatle, which one would he be? One: John, two: Ringo, three: Paul, four: George, five: Volkswagen, six: dung.”
At the last number, Piper erupted in laughter.
“Now,” Grandpa said, “all of us will pick which one we think fits Macy, here, best and pick the corresponding number card from our own stacks and put it in the middle of the board. You, too, Piper.”
Piper’s forehead crinkled in thought. Quinn whispered to her, “It’s not brain surgery.”
She playfully shoved him away. “Stop distracting me. I’m thinking here.”
Finally, everyone had laid their cards facedown in the middle of the board.
Grandpa said, “Okay, we’ll all flip our cards over and whatever players agree—and have the majority vote—get to move their pieces forward.”
In unison, everyone flipped over their cards.
Piper took in all the answers, stopping at KC’s card. Another burst of laughter erupted from her. “Dung beetle?”
Quinn yanked the card up and tossed it at KC. “Nice. Real nice.”
KC chuckled. “Hey, they play a very important part in the ecosystem, my friend. And you play an important part in this family.”
“Nice save,” Ma called out.
Sarah gave a hearty laugh, wrapping her arm around KC.
“I don’t think that’s what he had in mind,” Grandpa added.
“I know.” Quinn shook his head, but took it in stride, grinning.
Quinn finally looked at the number Piper had. She’d picked number five: Volkswagen. “A car? You think I’m like a car? Man, I can’t get ahead here, can I?”
She gave him a soft smile and leaned closer to his face. “Volkswagens are the most dependable cars on the road, you know. Safe, secure, reliable…” Her words drifted off, her eyes glassed over as she looked away. “Plus,” she whispered, “I don’t know anything about the other Beatles.”
Grandpa’s voice snapped them out of the awkward moment. “Okay, what have we got? Well, looks like Marcus and Macy move forward—no one else but those two agreed on their answers.”
Quinn looked up at his dad. “Thanks for remembering how much I liked Ringo.”
He tapped his head. “I’ve got your back. I always knew playing those oldies for you would come in handy one day.”
Quinn focused back on Piper. Had she scooted away from him? And here he’d thought they were doing so well. Getting closer with each passing second. One question and…poof?
He blew out a breath, drawing his attention back to the game. He’d tangled himself with an incredible, complicated girl. Now only if he knew the best way to tread these uncharted waters.
Chapter Twelve
Piper nerves were stretched a little too tight. Then again, maybe it was her jeans and all the nachos she’d shoved down during that insane dinner conversation. Why had she told Quinn all that stuff at dinner anyway?
Because she’d needed to tell someone how she was feeling. And Quinn was so easy to talk to. He listened, really listened, to what she said. And it made her feel cherished. No. Special. Wanted? Cheese and crackers, she didn’t know. Quinn made her feel so many things she didn’t even know if her head was screwed on straight at the moment. What was she going to do about him?
And now, of all places, she was sitting in the middle of Mr. Oliver’s living room, huddled around an enormous wooden coffee table, playing a game that was plain silly and somehow very…real. Every time someone picked up a card, she was so grateful that the main marker wasn’t on her name. When it was, she’d felt exposed, answering those question about herself. The family took it all in stride, though. For the most part, they made a great game out of it, playing up their answers and picking the most ridiculous choices to the questions. But Piper couldn’t settle on ridiculous at the moment. Her chest was too tight, her brain too fried to do anything but think about reality and how Quinn sat within inches of her, constantly murmuring in her ear, stroking her arm, her hair, and telling her she was doing great. Comforting her and making her feel so at ease, even when she was truly at her worst. Like he had when he’d picked her up from her apartment. Just as he had during dinner. He was already so under her skin, and she doubted he knew it. And she had no idea how to dig him out. Which was why, she mused, she hadn’t tried.
Which by her calculations was mistake number three.
She needed to get up. Get some air. Figure out what, in the name of chocolate, she was doing thinking these things and feeling this stuff. It was dangerous territory.
She bolted to her feet. “I have to, uh, use the restroom.”
And like that, she bustled herself out of the room and down the hall. Forget about the fact that she didn’t know where the bathroom was; she didn’t really have to go. She just needed a second. Who would have thought a board game could make you think so much about the people you were playing with? The game was like dissecting them, getting in their heads and letting them get into hers. Yes, dangerous territory, indeed.
“Piper?”
Sarah voice drifted down the hall. Piper twisted, flattening herself against the wall. “Yes?”
“I was checking to make sure you knew where the bathroom was.” She paused, stepping closer and giving Piper a comforting smile. “And to make sure you were okay. You left abruptly.” There was a flicker of something there, an understanding Piper couldn’t quite put her finger on.
“I’m fine,” she lied. “Just point me in the right direction, and I’ll be fine.”
Sarah drew up next to her, taking her by the elbow just as Quinn had. “You know,” she said quietly as she led Piper down the hall, “Quinn thinks the world of you.”
Piper’s cheeks went hot. “Good to know he talks about me to everyone.”
“He doesn’t. I can see it.”
They stopped at a solid oak door at the end of the hall.
“Do you know what I can also see?” Sarah added, pointing to the door.
“No offense, but I’m not sure I want to know.”
The woman’s wrinkle-free face split into a smile, and her eyes glimmered. “I like you. I think you’ll be good for our Quinn.”
“That’s good because I’m not so sure.”
“You know, Piper, sometimes you have to have faith in the things you can’t see. Trust me on that.” She dropped her hand from Piper’s elbow. “Quinn and I have a lot in common, so if you ever need to talk about anything, I’ll listen.”
Piper did her best to hide her confusion. This woman was starting to sound like a therapist. And with the lull of her voice and the way her calm eyes danced carefully around Piper’s face, Piper actually had the urge to talk to her. She blinked and took a step back.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” she said, twisting the bathroom open and jumping inside as fast as her feet would take her. Sarah’s smile remained confident and sure until Piper closed the door with a click.
Bizarre. This night was just weird. Forget about the games, forget abo
ut the family, forget about what she’d said, learned, done, whatever. Piper was in up to her eyeballs with feelings swirling deep in her chest, confusion mounting with each step closer to Quinn, and old pain trying to pull her back from the edge of a cliff she knew she was getting ready to jump off of.
Yes, she was in deep trouble. She was quickly learning that Quinn wasn’t the only one in his family who was so caring, so concerned, and so ridiculously amiable. Being surrounded by such normal people, having them chat with her like she was one of them, having them concerned about her well-being, and having them want to help her—even when Piper wasn’t sure what was wrong with herself—made a recipe for disaster, if you asked her. They were too close, too fast. It was too much.
After splashing a burst of cool water over her face, Piper straightened herself up and headed back into the fray.
“Good, she’s back,” KC called out as Piper stepped through the door frame. “My turn.”
He waited until Piper found her seat before flicking the dice over the board.
Quinn tugged her close. “You okay?”
“Yes.” Again, a lie. She would never be fine again so long as she was with Quinn. She either had to come to grips with that or do something about it. As she turned and looked into those iridescent green eyes, she knew she wouldn’t be going anywhere.
“Two,” KC called.
Piper pulled her gaze from Quinn. Her eyes danced over the white marker. KC picked it up and moved it two spaces to the left, setting it right on top of Piper’s name. She held her breath. Here we go, again.
KC plucked a top card from the stack and read the question. “Imaginiff Piper was an invention, which would she be?”
Whew. Piper let out a sigh of relief. Nothing truly personal about that question.
KC continued, “One: penicillin, two: a laptop, three: a blow dryer, four: an atomic bomb, five: a zipper, and six: a robot.”
Piper mulled over the inventions in her head. Was she like penicillin? She didn’t save people; she prepared people for death, so that one was out. A laptop? No, she didn’t really have a technological bone in her body. She dealt with dead people. An atomic bomb? Well, she was all over the place sometimes, but she didn’t self-destruct and take millions of people down with her, so that was out, too. A zipper? She inwardly chuckled. She had no idea how anyone could compare themselves to a zipper. Finally, a robot? Robots were trained to do the same thing over and over. They led a stagnant life, did what people told them to do, didn’t really have any emotions, and all around were kind of there, following routines, doing what they had to do to get through the day. Yes, that was it. Piper was like a robot. She laid down her number card, noticing she was the last one to do so.
Until Next Time Page 14