Page 22 of A Newport Christmess

I wouldn’t allow my sister to make me feel bad. Kade was the one that had forced me here, and she was the one who put some woman in my house without asking permission—and with ulterior motives, no less. But then why, if she meant to set me up with Quinn, had she banned me from going with them? Slightly confused, I shrugged like I didn’t care.

Kade and Nikki shared a meaningful glance. I knew it. I knew she’d wanted things to go differently between me and Quinn. Nikki couldn’t help but meddle in other people’s lives, and I’d learned the hard way where that meddling would get me.

“I hope you don’t intend to be Scrooge this whole time,” she said, returning her attention to me. “There’s someone I want you to meet, and I will be livid if you scare her away.”

My stomach lurched, and I glanced at Quinn, whose parted mouth and surprised expression were probably not too different from my own.

“She’s Kade’s cousin,” Nikki continued. “And she’s perfect for you. Isn’t she, Kade?”

Kade nodded like Nikki held his puppet strings. “I’m biased, but she’s pretty amazing.”

Nikki’s hand tightened on Kade’s knee.

“And also perfect for you,” he added with an amused grin.

These two were up to something. “No offense, but being set up by you didn’t exactly turn out well for me last time.”

“Give me some credit.” Nikki’s head tipped to the side. “I know your type better now. Rachel is not only the whole package, but she’s genuine to a fault. She’s not like Eliza.” Nikki kept her gaze focused on me. “Rachel will be here a few days before the wedding, and if the two of you hit it off like I suspect you will, I was thinking you could go together. She doesn’t have a date either.”

Quinn’s thumb bounced on her clasped hands, and she looked like she wanted to excuse herself. Was she upset by the turn of events or relieved by it? Or maybe she was just uncomfortable talking about the details of someone’s personal life, though that didn’t seem to fit her zero-to-sixty personality.

I crossed my arms, ready to bring this to an end. “As great as that sounds, I think I’ll pass.”

Nikki’s lips parted. “Come on. Just give her a shot. What harm can it do? At worst, you have someone to hang out with at the wedding.”

“What if I already had someone in mind to take to the wedding?” I asked, just to be difficult. I didn’t have anyone in mind.

Quinn’s eyes narrowed in my periphery, but I kept my gaze locked on Nikki. “Honestly?” she said. “I’d be shocked—more than shocked, actually. I can’t even remember the last time you took someone out on a date.”

I drummed my fingers against my arms. “I guess you’ll have to wait and see.”

Nikki lifted her chin. “Fine. If you won’t let me play matchmaker, I’ll use my talents elsewhere.” She shifted to face Quinn. “Do you have a date for the wedding yet?”

Quinn stared at her like she’d spoken in a foreign language. “I wasn’t planning to go.” Her cheeks grew pink. “I mean ... I didn’t know I was invited.”

“Of course you are. I had Irene email you to make sure you knew.”

She bit at her lip, looking sheepish. Had she not seen the email? “Oh. Yes. Well ... as kind as your invitation is, I didn’t bring a dress or shoes ... or anything like that.”

“That’s an easy fix.”

Quinn blinked, her gaze going distant. Was she trying to think of an excuse? “I just don’t know if—”

Nikki rested her hand on top of Quinn’s a second time, giving her a well-executed pout. Part of me wanted to step in and save Quinn from my sister’s persuasive abilities, but the more reasonable part knew what Nikki would assume if I did.

“Please say you’ll come,” she said. “I have so many people I’d love to introduce you to. A lot of them are influencers like us.”

I shook my head in amazement. She always knew the perfect carrot to dangle, and for a woman like Quinn, who had claimed she had a struggling social media account, Nikki had basically offered a lifeline. If I didn’t know how genuinely good of a person my sister was, I’d be scared for anyone under her influence.

Quinn gave a timid nod of her head. “If you’re sure.”

“I’m positive!” Nikki clapped her hands together in front of her chest. “And I can’t wait to introduce you to my friend Tyler.”

My whole body tensed. “Tyler Baker?”

Nikki shot me a carefree smile. “Don’t you think he and Quinn would have so much fun together?”

The tool would certainly try to have fun with her. “No.” I uncrossed my arms and took a step toward Nikki. “Quinn’s not Tyler’s type.”