13

"I appreciate your respect." I glance between them, feeling in need of guidance. Perhaps they could shed light on Quincy, which would help me decide how to respond to his proposal. "The fact that you're keeping his story private encourages me to share how Quincy and I met."

Zara takes a seat beside the baby. "Oh? Was it a memorable meet-cute?"

"You could call it that," I laugh.

"Oh, please, do tell us," she urges.

I sit down in my armchair and cross my legs. I’ve just met these women, but something about them inspires confidence in me. They don’t seem like the type who’d take advantage of my sharing with them. Also, my head’s whirling from everything that's happened so far. Perhaps talking about it will put things in perspective. "I was supposed to marry his son, but he stood me up at the alter. Enter, his father, who offers to marry me." Hearing the words from my mouth makes it all feel real and also, so very unreal. Can this be happening to me? Am I going to go through with this?

"What?" Zara looks at me wide-eyed. "You were going to marry his son?"
I nod.
"Now you’re going to marry his father?"
"Oh, no, no, I haven’t agreed to anything. Besides, this only happened three days ago."
“Three days?" Zara bursts out. "You two have known each other for three days?"
I manage a small smile.

Solena’s features take on a contemplative look. "When Quincy called me, it didn’t feel like he’d just met you. In fact, he seemed very concerned about you."
"Not surprising, considering he and his son lowered a double-whammy on me in one day.” I toss my head.

"Woman, all this happened and you’re still standing?" Zara rises to her feet. "Speaking of, now would be a good time to open that bottle of wine." She reaches for her satchel and pulls out a bottle of red.

I rise to my feet, head to the kitchenette, and grab the wine opener from the drawer. When I turn, I find that Zara has followed me. She takes the opener from me, and waves toward the living area. "Go on, take a seat. I’ll bring you a glass."
"You’ll find them on the top shelf on the far right." Leaving her to deal with it, I return to my position on the chair.

"This must be a lot. First Quincy and his son, then us,” Solena mutters in sympathy.
"I suppose…" I pull my feet up under me. "I should be freaking out more, but maybe… I’m numb?"

My phone buzzes. I pull it out from the pocket of my jeans and read the message.

Elizabeth: I’m coming over!
Shit, I forgot to text her.
Me: Noooo. Sorry. Sorry. I’m good. Solena and Zara are sweet. I’m hanging out with them. Talk later
Elizabeth: *Heart emoji"*

I slide the phone into my jeans’ pocket. The baby starts to fuss again. Solena takes him in her arms, then nods toward the pram. "Can you get me his sippy cup? It’s in the bag hanging over the handle." I head over, fumble around in the bag until I find the cup, then walk over and hand it to her. She uncaps it, and the baby reaches for it and latches his mouth around the spout.
"Gosh, you’re one thirsty boy, aren’t you?" she coos.

"Here’s our sustenance." Zara hands me a glass of wine and places a glass of water in front of Solena. "She’s the designated driver," she explains, then takes a sip from her own. She sighs. "I needed that." She sits down in the chair next to mine.

I take a small sip from my glass. The taste of plums, cherries, and a hint of pepper underlain with the tannic taste of red wine coats my tongue. "Wow, I’ve never tasted anything like this."
"It’s from Sinclair’s personal collection." Solena laughs. "After not being able to drink while I was pregnant, then breastfeeding this boy, he insists I drink the best.”

"And since she’s driving" —Zara waggles her eyebrows at Solena—"I get to drink her share, too. But coming back to the subject at hand…" She turns to me. "How do you feel about everything that’s happened so far?"

"Truthfully?" I rub at my temple. "I’m still making sense of it." I look between the women. "Also, I’m not sure I should be sharing all of this with you two, considering we just met, but?—"

"Oh, honey, it must be really confusing for you to have to make such a big decision," Zara says, touching my shoulder gently. "I can only imagine how lost you must feel right now."

Tears start to well up in my eyes, and I quickly blink them away.

"I'm sorry if our visit here upset you," Solena starts, sounding concerned, but I wave her off.

"No, really. I'm thankful you guys are here. My sister… I wish I could talk to her about this, but she's focused on her ballet classes. And my dad's not well and…" I sniffle, "...I never really made close friends with the girls from school. That's what happens when you're a loner, I guess. I had to grow up fast, taking care of my sister while my classmates were still acting like kids."

I pause for a moment, collecting my thoughts.

"And then Lawrence came along, and he became my best friend. I made the mistake of agreeing to marry him. And now, I don't think we're even friends anymore." Tears threaten to spill over, so I look up at the ceiling to hold them back. "So even though I'm relieved he called off the wedding, it feels like I've lost my only friend." I take a shaky breath. "You think you can do everything alone, and then when you realize you need someone, it's too late."

They share glances, then Zara sets down my glass and gently takes my hand in hers. "It's not too late. We're here for you, and we want to be your friends."

"We really do," Solena agrees with a nod.

"Because I'm such a mess right now. I'm considering marrying a man I met three days ago, and I don't have my own friends, so I'm crying on the shoulders of strangers who happen to be his friends," I say, wiping at a tear on my cheek.

Zara leans forward in her chair. "Just so you know, I already think you're amazing. Anyone who paints like you"—she gestures with her thumb over her shoulder—"is. And my instincts tell me we're going to be great friends, whether you marry Quincy or not. Honestly, though, I'd prefer you did."

I nod in acknowledgement.

"What Zara means is Quincy wanted us here to convince you he's the right choice," Solena explains with a half-smile. "But it's your decision, really. I already know we're going to be good friends because I like you, and," she glances down at Matty, who kicks at her arm, "so does Matty, as I've already mentioned."

“Quincy sent you two to convince me of his merits?” I ask slowly.

Zara shifts in her seat. “He never said it openly. Well, not to me, because he spoke to Solena, and Solena asked me to come along. And I was curious because... Well... In the little time I’ve known Quincy, I thought he was a grouchy bastard who seemed dissatisfied with most things, and to find out he wants to marry you... I was curious.”
“And what do you think now?”
“That you’re too good for him.”
I chuckle. “Thanks.”
“No, really, you are. You’re taking care of your family, and working, and trying to carve out a career in a competitive, creative industry?—”
“I haven’t been painting much,” I remind her.
She cuts her hand through the air. “You’ve been trying, and that’s what matters.”
“I’ve known Quincy since he returned from the Marines and joined the Carringtons. He has his faults but”—Solena pauses to gather her thoughts— “but he's the kind of guy you can trust to have your back when the chips are down."

"Not long ago, Karla was unwell.” Solena’s smile dims. “My sister was born with a hole in the heart. The condition was exacerbated when she got pregnant... a second time.” She swallows. “I was with her when she collapsed at my place, less than a month ago. I tried to call her husband, then mine."

Zara gasps. "Oh, my god, Solena! I had no idea."
Solena nods. "When neither answered, I called Q. And this, despite the fact my husband has six other very close friends and business partners he went to school with. I’ve known them longer than I’ve known Q." Solena pauses to take a deep breath.

"Sinclair and his friends run a company called 7A Investments," Zara interjects.
"I could have called any of them, but Q's the person I reached out to.” Solena’s voice grows contemplative. “Something about him inspires confidence, and it's not about his age. Well, not only. He feels so solid. Like he’s seen life, and he knows what to do in an emergency, you know?”

I nod silently. I understand exactly what she means. It's the same sensation I felt when our eyes first met. Sure, there was desire, but there was also this feeling deep inside that he would protect me.

"He happened to be working from home that day. Thankfully, he lives close by to me and Karla. He dropped everything and arrived at our place just as she was being loaded into the ambulance. I went with her, and he followed us to the hospital. He stayed by my side until Sinclair and Michael arrived. If it weren't for him, I don't know how I would've made it through," she says, wiping a tear from her eye. "Ever since then, Karla and he have had a special bond. Both her husband and mine trust him even more now."

"That's... quite a story," I manage to say.

"I'm not telling you this to sway your decision— well, maybe a little," Solena laughs. "But I owe a lot to Quincy. I have faith in him. And if you're thinking of marrying him, trust your instincts."

"Wow, I had no idea about that incident," Zara exclaims, wide-eyed. "No wonder he's so close to you guys."

"All I'm saying is, reserve judgment until you've heard his side of the story," Solena concludes with a gentle smile.

“I think you have a point. But”—I bite the inside of my cheek—"don’t you find it weird that he proposed to me within minutes of meeting me, and that he’s much older than me? Not to mention, I was going to marry his son."
“Maybe.” Solena shrugs. “I admit, it seems impulsive. And I might add, out of character for him. But I think that’s because he decided to follow his instinct and not waste time second-guessing himself.”

I turn to Zara. “And what do you think, Zara? What would you do if you were in my position?”
She meets my gaze without flinching. “I think you’re right to be suspicious. I would be, too, if someone walked off the street and proposed to me. But it’s also dependent on the man—and I do happen to think Q is very personable. And hot”—she snickers— “so I’d get to know him better before making a decision. In fact,”—she snaps her fingers— “I have an idea. Q's participating in a fight tomorrow. Wanna come with me?”