Page 90 of A Newport Christmess

Dad smirked. “Like she’s the sole giver of all happiness and good things.”

I gawked at him. “Where did you even come up with that line? It’s ridiculous.”

“No.” Josh laughed. “It’s actually a perfect description for the way you stare at her.”

I cringed inwardly. “I guess it makes sense why I’m scaring her away, then.”

Dad’s gaze narrowed. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know. One minute, it seems like things are going really well, and the next, she becomes super guarded. I was telling Josh I think it mainly has to do with her divorce. It’s only been a year.”

“Ah.” Dad nodded, like that was all that needed said. “At least you’re the right guy to be there for her.”

It was true—all the pain I’d gone through with Eliza had made me the right guy for Quinn. A guy who could understand her hurt and give her the time and support she needed to heal. And to hopefully love again. The thought made me oddly grateful for the rocky path I’d been made to walk. “I hope so.”

The room went silent, and all I could hear were the little huffs of Reid’s breathing while he slept.

“Does she have plans for Christmas?” Dad asked, breaking the silence. “She did mention she’d be here for it, right?”

“Yes, but she doesn’t have plans.”

“You should ask her to join us. She’d be welcome.”

“I thought about it, but spending Christmas with the family seems like kind of a big deal. Not for us, necessarily, but I’m worried it might freak her out.”

“So the alternative is to let her stay at your house by herself and spend Christmas alone?”

“Point taken.” I let out a breath. “But if I invite her, and she comes, I need you two to spread the word that no one should assume anything. Or if you make assumptions, just don’t speak them out loud in front of her.”

Dad gave a nod. “I think we could manage that.”

“Speaking of managing things ...” I glanced at my dad. “Did you, by chance, move all of my clothes into one of my guest room closets?”

His silent smirk told me everything I needed to know.

“Awesome. It’s good to know where your allegiance is.”

Dad laughed. “It was for the greater good.”

“The greater good?” I chuckled, causing Reid to squirm on my chest. “I could have been killed by frying pan. And you would have been an accomplice.”

“An accomplice to what?” Julie asked, stepping into the room with Nikki at her side.

“To my untimely death had I been hit over the head with a frying pan.” I craned my neck to see if Quinn was with them, but I didn’t see her. “And I’m guessing you’d be on the accomplice list, too—not warning me about what Nikki was up to.”

Julie tucked her lips between her teeth and sent Nikki a knowing glance. Guilty.

“Such a conspiracy theorist.” Nikki stepped over me and lifted Reid off my chest. “Sorry. My turn.”

“Where’s Quinn?” I asked.

“We dropped her back off at your house,” Julie said. “We texted you to see if you were still here, but you never answered.”

I sat up, leaning back on my hands. “Sorry. I think I left my phone in the front entryway.” Apparently, Quinn was rubbing off on me. “Must be on silent.”

Nikki swayed, smiling down at Reid. “You’d better hurry home. With how amazing Quinn looks in her new dress, I’m not sure you’ll want to leave her unattended in a house full of handsome men.”

She didn’t need to tell me twice. I hurried to my feet. “Tell the kids I’ll see them soon.”