Page 27 of Dad Next Door
“I’m still sorry.”
“I know.” He grinned. “This’ll be a funny story one day.”
I smiled, most of the tension leaving my body. Maybe I hadn’t fucked everything up.
“I was actually going to talk to you about something. Might as well do it now.” He dragged one hand through his damp hair. “I’m having the guys over tomorrow. It’s not going to be crazy or anything, just a barbeque before they go to work, but I wanted to give you a heads-up because we’ll probably spend most of our time outside.”
“Oh, okay. Yeah. Thanks for letting me know.” I nodded, bobbing my head way more emphatically than necessary.
“You should come by after. You’re welcome to drop by while they’re here, but I know it’s tough being the odd guy out.”
“Really? You want me to?”
“Yeah. I know you have Leo this weekend, so you probably can’t, but the invite is there if you can swing it.”
“Um, okay. Thanks? I mean, I will if I can.”
“Great.” He grinned. “Hopefully I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow.”
“Oh, before I go.” He paused. “You never answered my question.”
“About tomorrow?”
“Nope.” His grin went devious. “About if you liked what you saw?”
“Is this one of those times I’m supposed to answer, or just not say anything at all and let you laugh at me?”
“Your choice.”
Quinn’s teasing and blasé attitude over the situation helped put the last of my fears at ease. He truly wasn’t mad, and even thought it was funny.
“Well, let’s just say I now have the full picture as to why you’re so good at your jobs.”
He laughed, his eyes twinkling. “Have a good night, Tris.”
“Night.”
Quinn shot me a quick wave, then jumped down off my porch.
I stood there like a statue, processing the last ten minutes.
What the fuck had just happened? How had we gone from Quinn catching me creeping on him to being invited over for a barbeque with his friends?
Woodenly, I slipped back into the house and grabbed my beer off the table. Making my way into the living room, I sank into my favorite chair. Both dogs lifted their heads from where they were curled up together on Freddie’s bed and peered at me. Koda yawned, and they went back to sleep.
I chugged half my beer in one go.
Something told me I wouldn’t be getting much sleep tonight. Hopefully I could get the image of naked Quinn out of my head before I saw him again.
5
QUINN
“Oh my god, I’m soooo full.” Nick leaned back in his chair and rubbed his stomach. “I blame you.” He shot me a mock glare.
“How is it my fault?” I leaned over and poked him in the side.