Peyton nods. “My brother doesn’t do things hastily. That’s Elle. She’s the jump first, ask questions later. I’m the planner in the family. I have a plan for everything, except my wedding but that’s another story for another day. Quinn? He’s the one who sits on the sidelines and makes sure everyone’s taken care of, never worrying about himself. It’s nice to see him with his guard down. Like I said, you must be it for him.”
I try to picture the guy she’s describing, and I don’t see it. When we’re together, he’s carefree and outspoken, but being the one isn’t possible. “I’m not sure I believe in love at first sight.”
“I do.” She nods back toward the house. “I’ve been in love with him for as long as I can remember, before I even knew what love was, I knew I was going to marry him.”
“When was that?”
She laughs. “Oh, when I was about five or so.”
“Oh, wow.”
“Yeah, it took us a long time to figure things out, plus there’s an age difference. I’m fairly sure my parents would’ve killed Noah if we started dating when I was fifteen or sixteen.”
My parents are going to kill me when they find out about Quinn or when I call and tell them that I’m not coming home. “How far apart are you?”
“Five years, but when you’re young, age matters.”
“Yeah, I suppose it does. When’s your wedding?”
She shrugs. “We haven’t picked a date. I want a winter wedding, he wants summer because of his schedule so we’re in limbo.”
“That sucks.”
“Sure does.”
“Why not just elope?” I ask.
She pulls her legs up and that’s when I see it, the scar that Quinn mentioned. It’s long and looks deep. “We’ve been through a lot or I have, and I want the fairytale.”
“Quinn said you were in an accident.”
Peyton looks at me, a slow smile creeps across her face. “Yeah, you’re definitely the one. Quinn doesn’t talk about much of anything to people outside of our family so if he told you, he must trust you.”
And there it is, the stab in my heart. I need to sit him down and tell him everything about me, starting with my real name, and Roy. Keeping my situation, regardless of the fact that I broke it off with him, shouldn’t be a secret. Quinn, aside from the people at the Bean Song, are the only ones who call me Nola, and that’s just some name I made up to reinvent myself while I’m here. What have I done? If his sister is right, and I’m the one for him, I’ve started this relationship off with nothing but lies and deceit. I’m such an idiot.
“I don’t know what to say to that.” We sit in silence, with my brain screaming at me for being such a moron. I should’ve told him my name at least before I slept with him, but no, I didn’t. I pray he looks at it as an oversight, but I’ll also have to come clean about being here and how I’m supposed to go home soon, and then there’s Roy. I have to tell him about Roy. My relationship with him and how my parents are insisting on marriage, isn’t something I can just brush under the rug.
“Peyton, do you think I could have a minute with Nola?”
We both look up to find Katelyn standing next to us. I don’t know why, but my heart sinks. This morning, she was gracious and kind. However, something deep in the pit of my stomach tells me mama bear is about to come out. Peyton doesn’t say anything as she gets up, leaving me alone with her mother. Right now, would be an excellent time for Quinn to come ashore, but by the looks of it, the two of them are having a lot of fun out there.
Katelyn hands me a bottle of water. I take it, twist the cap off, and take a drink. I need this because my mouth is parched, and I have a feeling I’m going to have to do a lot of talking.
“This morning was awkward,” she starts. “Never in a million years did I imagine meeting a friend of his like that.”
“I can say the same thing.” I don’t need the reminder that she saw my boobs or the fact she witnessed her son thrusting into me. Good times had by all.
“However, I’ve been thinking all day about it, and while I know my son is a grown man and can do whatever he wants, I’m still his mother...” She pauses and seems to collect herself. “Don’t hurt my son. He’s not your average twenty-something year old who brings women over to his parents’ house. He doesn’t flaunt his life, his social status, who his dad is or anything like that. Quinn’s an old soul, he’s shy and prefers watching life from the outside. I won’t stand for anyone breaking his heart so if this isn’t real for you, then please, leave now before he gets in too deep.”
And there’s the fierce protector in his life.
“Mrs. James, with all due respect, Quinn and I just started dating. We’re young and trying to find our own paths in life. It’s hard to say where this relationship is going.”
She keeps her focus on the ocean, never looking at me. “Quinn’s smitten by you, and if you don’t feel the same, don’t prolong it.” She gets up, leaving me there to sit and think. It takes me a whole five seconds to realize what I’m going to do.
“I’m going to stay,” I say out loud even though no one can hear me.
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