Page 33 of A Newport Christmess

I grumbled my acceptance and opened the door for her.

“Wow. Don’t be too excited to spend a little quality time with your favorite baby sister.”

“I know that look you’re giving me. You’re up to something.”

“I’m not. Scout’s honor.” She put up two fingers in what looked to be a lazy peace sign.

“The Boy Scout sign is three fingers.”

She only smiled and walked out the door.

* * *

Nikki paid for the drinks and handed me two of them. “You good? They’re kind of hot.”

I nodded, and we started back toward the store where Kade and Quinn were waiting.

“So, are you going to tell me why I was the selected errand boy?”

“Why did you ask Quinn to be your date for the wedding?” she asked with only the slightest hesitation.

I shook my head with a laugh, not surprised by her choice of topic. Fortunately, I was one step ahead of her. She wanted me to confess I was falling for Quinn, and I wouldn’t.

Nikki went to take a sip of her drink but pulled back when the steaming liquid touched her lip. “That is hot!” She pressed her lips together and glanced over at me. “So are you interested in her or not?”

“Why does it matter?” I asked casually.

She stopped, her eyes moving back and forth between mine. “You know what I think? I think you asked Quinn as an excuse to not be set up with Rachel. And if I’m right, it’s not fair to any of you.”

I stared at her, suddenly unsure of everything. Especially how I was supposed to answer. “Quinn is great,” I said, hoping a generic response would allow me to gather more information.

“She is. She’s amazing. But you two couldn’t be more different. You need someone driven and organized. She needs someone fun and playful.”

“I’m fun.”

She pinned me with a look that confirmed she disagreed. “If you like her, explain something to me. Why didn’t you greet Quinn when we arrived tonight? You didn’t say hello or even glance in her direction. And both times I’ve seen you together, you’ve hardly spoken to her. This might come as a bit of a shock, but that’s not how someone acts when they’re interested, Landon.”

My mind was still reeling, trying to adjust to this unexpected turn of events. “Maybe for me it is.”

Nikki shook her head. “I know you too well to buy that. When you’re in, you’re all in. Like you were with Eliza.”

I scoffed. “And look where that got me.” Pain. Regret. Heartache. I didn’t want to give someone that power over me again.

We walked in silence for the next few minutes.

“I know Eliza hurt you, and you’re scared to love again, but don’t close out every opportunity for healing. Rachel is perfect for you. And Quinn deserves a chance to find happiness again, too. Don’t stop her from having this chance.”

“Please tell me you aren’t referring to Tyler being her chance?”

“He’s changed since college.” Nikki’s irritation leaked into her tone. “He’s grown up.”

Quinn was too guileless for the likes of Tyler Baker—grown up or not. “You never knew him like I did, Nikki. Trust me, I think your instincts are off on this one.”

“They’re not. Maybe you should let her make her own decision about him.”

The thought of Quinn and Tyler together made me physically sick. His grabby hands wouldn’t get anywhere near her. Not when I could easily do something about it. Well, not easily, with how attracted I was to her. But I could keep myself in check. I was confident about that. What I couldn’t do was let Tyler fool Quinn like the dozens of other girls from our undergrad days, especially after everything she’d been through this last year. It looked like Quinn and I needed to up our game. If Nikki thought we really were developing feelings for each other, she’d drop this whole Tyler-and-Rachel thing. At least, I hoped she would.

“I’ll let her make her own decision if you will,” I said, meeting Nikki’s gaze. “But I think we’re a better match than you think.”