by Reese Ryan
After all this time, he was as affected by her now as he’d been at twenty-one. When he’d fallen head over heels for her.
Max quietly groaned, thinking of those lush lips and the enticing curve of her hips.
He couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was about Quinn that drove him to distraction. But he was still captivated by her. His heart raced and his pulse quickened when he was around Quinn. And his dreams had been fueled by vivid memories of the intimate moments they’d shared.
“This is more serious than I suspected.” Zora startled him when she slid into the chair on the other side of his desk.
“Didn’t hear you come in.” Max cleared his throat.
“That’s because you were in a daze. I called your name twice,” she informed him.
“Oh. Well, I was reviewing the day in my head,” he stammered.
Zora leaned forward with her elbows on the edge of his desk. “How about we not do this thing where you pretend you weren’t sitting here thinking about Quinn and let’s skip to the part where you tell me what’s really going on with you two?”
Max rubbed his jaw and sat back in his chair, narrowing his gaze at the nosiest of his siblings. He’d managed to avoid this conversation all week. Until now. “There’s nothing to tell.”
“Then why did you freak out when Quinn walked into that conference room?”
“You’re being melodramatic. I didn’t ‘freak out.’ I was simply surprised to see—”
“Your ex?” Zora grinned.
“Quinn,” he continued, ignoring her accusation. He was prepared to walk the superthin tightrope between lying and just not telling his nosy-ass sister something that clearly wasn’t her business. “Because I hadn’t seen her in years, and last I heard, she was living in Atlanta.”
“So you’ve been keeping tabs on her since that summer you interned at Bazemore Farms.” Zora seemed pleased with herself for extrapolating that bit of information.
“Gramps mentioned it in passing.” He shifted his gaze back to his computer and started to shut it down.
“You were floored when you saw Quinn. And you were surprisingly hard on her plan.”
“Can you blame me? This project is a big deal. It’s Grandpa Joe’s way of honoring the last wishes of Savannah’s grandfather. Plus, I get the feeling there’s a lot riding on this deal for Mr. Bazemore. Maybe you don’t feel the pressure of all of those expectations, but I do. So, of course, I’m reluctant to turn the reins for this project over to a virtual stranger.”
He shut his laptop and slid it into his bag.
“Quinn isn’t a stranger. She’s a family friend and an experienced public relations professional. And the way you called her Peaches, it felt like you’d had a more intimate relationship.” Zora’s voice was gentler. “There’s no crime in that. But if you still have a thing for her—”
“I don’t,” he insisted.
Being one of five kids in an outspoken family, it was par for the course that they gave each other a hard time. But Zora’s words had definitely struck a nerve, and they both knew it.
Zora stared at him, neither of them speaking.
Finally, Max spoke. “Look, I know you’re just looking out for this deal—”
“And you. Because whether you want to talk about it or not, it’s obvious you feel something for Quinn. Don’t let those feelings cloud your judgment.” Zora stood. “Let Quinn work her magic.”
Damn his nosy little sister and her insightfulness.
“I won’t jeopardize this product launch, Brat. Promise.” He’d invoked her childhood nickname, which she liked about as much as Quinn liked Peaches.
“You’d better not.” She pointed a finger at him, but then her expression softened. “And be careful, Max. You’re in deeper than you realize. You both are.”
“Everything is just fine with me and Quinn, I assure you.” He stood, lifting his bag onto his shoulder. He’d had enough of his little sister’s lecture.
“Great.” Zora walked him to the door. “Because I invited Quinn to Mom and Dad’s anniversary party.”
Max turned to his sister, panic flaring in his chest as he locked the door behind them. “Why?”
“I thought it would make Quinn feel welcome.” Zora shrugged. “But she seems reluctant to attend. I think she feels like she’d be crashing our family party. Or maybe she’s worried she won’t know anyone besides us and her grandfather.”
“Then maybe it’s better if she doesn’t come.” Max shrugged as they walked toward Zora’s office.
“Or maybe you could invite her,” Zora prodded. “I put you down for a plus-one, but you never did RSVP with one. So there’s an extra space beside you that—”
“If I recall, you and Cole have unused plus-ones, too. No one is bothering either of you about it.”
“Dallas is coming as my plus-one.”
Dallas Hamilton—Zora’s best friend since kindergarten—was a self-made millionaire. He’d started his craft furniture business by fiddling with scrap pieces of wood in his family’s run-down barn. Despite his mother’s best efforts, Dallas and Zora’s relationship was still platonic.
“And I know Cole hasn’t RSVP’d.” It was one of the many things about his youngest brother that irritated him. “That would be far too considerate.”
Zora stopped him just outside of her office. “When are you going to stop being so hard on Cole? He chose not to join the family business. So what? You act like he’s committed a crime against humanity.”
“Grandad created a legacy for all of us.” Max waved his hand around the impressive office space that had been expanded and remodeled over the years. “But Cole just blew it off. He’s always felt the need to buck the system.”
“Yes, Cole is doing his own thing, and he’s damn good at it. It’s obviously the thing he was meant to do.”
“That isn’t the point.”
“Isn’t it? Because what Grandad wants for us more than anything is that we’re happy and successful in life. Cole has found that. He’s the premier home builder in the area. Why can’t you just be happy for him?” Zora poked a sharp finger into his bicep that would likely leave one hell of a bruise.
Maybe he deserved it.
“Ready to shut it down? If so, I’ll walk you to your car.” The shift in topic was his clear signal that their discussion about Cole was over.
Max leaned against the door frame while his sister gathered her things. He toyed with her suggestion to invite Quinn to his parents’ anniversary party.
A part of him wanted to spend time with Quinn socially. But the part of his brain that was fully functioning when it came to Quinn Bazemore recognized that it was a horrible idea.
“You should reconsider inviting Quinn to the party,” Zora said as they left the building and headed into the executive parking lot. “We’re working on a really short timeline on this project. You two need to be in sync, and you need to learn to trust each other. This party is the perfect opportunity for you to get reacquainted in a relaxed setting.”
“No, Zora,” he said firmly as they arrived at his sister’s car. “End of discussion.” He folded his arms and stared down his scheming little sister, who was clearly amused by his resistance to her not-so-subtle matchmaking.
She squeezed the car door handle and the doors unlocked. “I reserve the right to resume this line of questioning at a later date.”
There was that one year of law school Zora had taken, rearing its head again.
“And I reserve the right to ignore it.” Max gave his sister a one-armed hug. “Good night, Brat. Drive safe.”
Zora laughed as she slung her bags into the back seat and slid in behind the wheel. “You, too.”
Max shook his head as he watched his sister drive off. Then he walked toward his SUV.
The only other person as invested in his lov
e life as his sister was their mother. Iris Abbott had been trying to marry her kids off since long before Savannah had arrived in town.
But with Blake married to Savannah, Parker engaged to Kayleigh, and their second grandchild on the way, his mother had eased off on pressuring the rest of them.
Zora was obviously still on mission—as long as she wasn’t the person being matched.
Six
Quinn stepped out of her car and handed her keys to the valet. She smoothed down the front of the floor-length, pale blue, one-shoulder Marchesa gown that she’d blown a mint on and had never gotten to wear.
She lifted the hem of the dress so it wouldn’t drag on the ground. Quinn felt slightly ridiculous walking into a barn in a floor-length gown with a small train. But Zora had stipulated that the event was black-tie, and this was the only dress she’d brought to Knoxville that seemed dressy enough for it.
“You look beautiful, sweetheart.” Her grandfather extended his arm. “If your grandmother could see how much you look like her right now.” He chuckled softly. “She’d be pleased as punch.”
“Thanks, Gramps.” She sucked in a quiet breath and surveyed the large building with its weathered exterior. Bright, festive strings of fairy lights adorned the top of the structure, providing a warm contrast to the cool gray exterior. Strings of hanging white bulbs led up the pathway to the open barn door.
The decor inside was simply breathtaking. Glamorous, but with a nod to the rustic surroundings. Swaths of cream-colored fabric hung from the ceiling, as did several beautiful chandeliers. The tables were draped in rich, sumptuous fabrics. Yet the centerpieces and table decorations evoked the mountains and the nature that surrounded them.
Mason jars of various sizes were adorned with burlap and lace and overflowing with small bouquets of flowers. The table runners were accented with sprawling greenery that ran the length of each table. There were glass bottles in a kaleidoscope of colors and lanterns filled with candles all throughout the space. And the chair backs were topped by chiffon hoods in a dusty rose with ruffled embellishments.
“This place is incredible, Gramps. Did Savannah do all of this?” It was a visual feast.
“She sure did. Before Savannah came along, this was just a run-down barn—a little too rustic.” Her grandfather chuckled. “Since the renovation and decor upgrade, they’ve easily tripled their event income.” He nodded in Savannah’s direction. “She’s a savvy businesswoman, and so are you. You’ll show ’em.”
“Thanks, Gramps.” She squeezed his arm. He always seemed to know when she needed a shot of confidence.
A woman whom Quinn recognized from Savannah’s staff took their names and gave them their table assignments.
After they greeted a few of her grandfather’s friends, they parted ways. Quinn pressed a fist to the knot in her stomach. Suddenly she wished she’d taken Zora up on her offer to rearrange the seating chart so she could sit with her grandfather.
But the truth was she wouldn’t be here if it hadn’t been for the series of frantic text messages she’d received last night.
I need a plus-one for my parents’ anniversary party.
To which she’d responded, I’m sure you’ll have no problem finding someone.
True. LOL. But this is a family event, so I’d rather hang out with someone I have zero interest in.
Your “bedside” manner sucks. No wonder you can’t find a date.
Also true. You should take pity on me.
This was followed by the Puss in Boots puppy dog eyes GIF.
Not fair! You know I can’t resist a good Shrek GIF!
Besides, there’ll be free food and booze plus party favors. And my charming company, of course. Come. PLEASE.
I’m thinking you got in line twice when egos were handed out. But the free food and booze sounds tempting. What kind of party favors are we talking?
Guess you’ll have to come to find out.
She hadn’t responded, but on the third, increasingly desperate request, she’d given in. The texts had made her laugh, plus she was half-asleep by then, so she’d let her guard down and accepted the invitation. But as she scanned the open space, she didn’t see Mr. It’s-Definitely-Not-A-Date anywhere.
“Quinn, you look gorgeous.” Savannah said as she approached, wearing a long, flowing, wrap gown in a sumptuous red fabric. A sash was tied just above her belly. Her hair was braided in an elaborate updo that completed the goddess look. “I didn’t realize you’d changed your mind about coming tonight.”
“It was a really last-minute decision.” Quinn fought back the urge to touch her hair and make sure her hasty updo was still in place. “I hope it’s okay that I’m here.”
“Of course, it is.” Savannah nodded at someone over Quinn’s shoulder and held up her index finger before turning back to her. “I have to take care of a few things before we get started, but I trust that you know where you’re seated?”
“I do. Go. We’ll catch up later.” Quinn’s hands trembled slightly as she surveyed the room filled with people. “I could use some of that free booze right about now,” she muttered under her breath as she moved toward the bar at the back of the room.
“Quinn, you came after all.” Zora gave her a genuine hug that eased some of the tension in her shoulders. “I didn’t realize you’d changed your mind.”
“Your brother is persuasive and persistent,” Quinn said.
Zora’s eyes lit up. “Well, good for him. I’m glad he was able to talk you into joining us.” She scanned the crowd, then waved at someone on the other side of the room.
Quinn turned to the bartender and ordered a glass of white wine. When she turned around again, she met a familiar stare.
“Hey.” Max’s gaze drifted down the length of her body before returning to her face.
“Good evening, Max.” Beneath his stare, Quinn felt self-conscious in the dress, which exposed her back, one shoulder and a bit of cleavage. “You look...handsome.”
“Thanks.” He smoothed down his beautiful purple necktie—the perfect complement to his white shirt and charcoal-gray tuxedo, accented by a purple pocket square. “And you look...incredible.” Max gestured toward her, then cleared his throat. “But I’m surprised to see you here. Zora said you passed on the invite.”
“What do you mean you’re surprised to see her here?” Zora gave Max the strangest look. “Quinn said you invited her.”
“No, I invited her.” As Cole joined them, he signaled for the bartender to give him a refill, then set his empty glass on the bar and leaned in to give Quinn a bear hug. Finally, he released her. “Thanks for rescuing me tonight. I know it was last-minute. I owe you one.”
“Cole, you invited Quinn?” Zora’s eyes went wide.
“Who else would’ve invited her?” Cole gave Zora a quick hug and acknowledged Max with a slight head nod.
Zora stared at Cole, then shifted her attention to Quinn. “I didn’t realize that you two were—”
“Friends,” Quinn volunteered quickly, so there would be no misunderstandings. “Cole and I became friends about four years ago. We ran into each other in Atlanta one weekend when Cole was in town visiting friends.”
“Wow. I did not know that. Did you, Max?” Zora elbowed her brother, who was staring at the two of them as if Quinn had just declared that they’d been abducted by aliens.
“Uh...no,” Max said, still staring at her. He turned to his brother. “Cole, how is it that you never mentioned that you and Mr. Bazemore’s granddaughter were such good friends?”
So now I’ve been bumped down to “Mr. Bazemore’s granddaughter.” Fine.
The more distance between them the easier it would be for them to work together for the next few months.
Cole thanked the bartender for his drink and shoved money in the glass tip jar.
“Just never came up, I guess.�
� He shrugged. “Funny story, though. Quinn and I hooked up at a speed dating event.”
Oh, God. He had to tell the story, didn’t he?
“You two dated?” Deep grooves formed across Max’s forehead.
“No, we did not.” Quinn paused, allowing that clear statement to sink in before continuing. She shot her friend a warning look and Cole smirked. Quinn turned back to Max and Zora. “Hooked up probably isn’t the best word choice. Once we started talking, we each recognized who the other was and—”
“She shut me down immediately.” Cole chuckled, as if the concept of a woman not being interested in him romantically was remarkable. “What was it that you said exactly?”
Quinn’s cheeks stung under the heat of Max’s and Zora’s stares. She sighed quietly. “I believe I told you that you had a better chance of being hit by a meteorite than you did of getting me into bed.”
Cole laughed as hard as he had the night she’d said it. She and Zora couldn’t help laughing, too. But Max clearly wasn’t amused by their friendship meet-cute.
“I knew right then that we were going to be friends. After the event, we went to this amazing burger joint, then we went out dancing. It was honestly the best time I’d ever had in Atlanta.” Cole draped an arm over her shoulder. “Since then, we’ve kept in touch.”
“I’m impressed, Quinn. You’re probably my brother’s first platonic female friend since middle school,” Zora said. “Maybe there’s hope for you after all, Cole.” She slipped her arm through Max’s. “Well, there are a few things we should take care of before the festivities start. Excuse us.”
Zora, in her elegant white jumpsuit with a low-cut back, guided Max to the other side of the barn. Quinn couldn’t miss the tension in his jaw and shoulders or the narrowing of his gaze as he glanced back at her.
Did Max honestly have the nerve to be angry about her friendship with Cole?
She certainly wasn’t trying to make him jealous by being here with his brother. Cole had blown up her phone with text messages, asking her to be his guest for the event. And they were just friends.