Page 34 of A Newport Christmess

Now, I just needed to run the plan by Quinn.

* * *

I slowed my pace, and Quinn unconsciously matched it, leaving more space between us and Nikki and Kade. The two of them were deep in conversation about seating arrangements at the wedding and what adjustments they needed to make now that Kade’s sister would be bringing a plus-one.

“When was the Christmas boat parade?” Quinn’s thick, blonde curls flowed out from under the black beanie in the sea breeze. With her new coat zipped to her chin, gloved hands holding a steaming cup of cider, and boots on her feet, I hadn’t seen her shiver once since leaving the store. The realization made me smile.

“It’s usually right after Thanksgiving.”

Her gaze scanned the harbor, flickering between the handful of boats that still displayed their Christmas decorations. “I would have loved to see it.”

“There’s always next year.”

Quinn laughed. “I don’t see that happening—unless you and Rachel intend to have a Thanksgiving wedding and need some gingerbread turkeys.”

“Hilarious.” I shook my head. “But speaking of Nikki and her matchmaking attempts ...”

Quinn’s smiling eyes settled on me. “Is that what she wanted to talk to you about?”

“She’s not deterred from her plans. She thinks I only asked you to be my date to the wedding to keep her from setting us up with anyone else.” I paused. “I mean, that is why I did it.”

“I’m aware.” Quinn’s gaze returned to Nikki and Kade, the two of them still talking a few yards ahead of us. “So, should we confess and let her set us up with Tyler and Rachel?”

“Is that what you’d prefer?” I gripped my cup and watched her profile for any indication of what she really thought.

She shrugged. “If you do.”

“I don’t.”

Her gaze met mine, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Why not?”

“I’m standing by what I said. Tyler isn’t your type. And I refuse to let Nikki set me up again, so if you don’t have a strong preference, I say we continue our plan … with one or two minor adjustments.”

“What adjustments?”

A lump of nerves formed in my throat, and I cleared it to get the words out. “We need Nikki to believe we’re actually developing feelings for each other.”

Quinn’s laugh took me by surprise. “You literally wouldn’t even make eye contact with me when I got here today, and you want to convince your sister we have feelings for each other?”

“I’m sorry about that. It had nothing to do with you.” Not in the way she assumed, anyway. I debated telling her my frustration with Kade’s meddling—his refusal to take me home after our conference—and how it had caused me to again question Nikki’s intentions to set us up (which I’d been wrong about a second time), but it would all take too long, and I needed to get to the point before Nikki or Kade realized how far behind we’d gotten.

“What would these adjustments entail?” Quinn asked before I’d had a chance to bring it up again.

“The classic things—flirting, small touches, shared glances.” I said it like my pulse didn’t race at the mention of it.

A frown formed on her lips. “We’ll probably need to spend more time together and go out a few times between now and the wedding, right?”

I lifted a shoulder, like her obvious concern didn’t bother me. “It wouldn’t hurt.”

We continued on in silence, but with each step, I grew more anxious to know what she was thinking. Was the idea of a fake relationship—no, not even that—a fake interest in me so appalling?

“If we do this,” she finally said, “I have one condition. No more silent treatments or abrupt behavior changes. We’ll work things out like mature adults through communication.”

I rested a hand over my heart. “My days as Mr. Hyde are behind me.”

She smiled at the reference. “Then we’d better get started.”

TEN