Page 90 of Dad Next Door
“I’m sure. Now, stop feeling guilty and focus on the fact that I’m having just as much fun as you are, and this night is as much for me as it is for you.”
“It is?”
He nodded and put his wine down. “I haven’t been on a date in over six years. I wanted to give us both the break we not only need but deserve. Now, are you going to stop feeling guilty?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” He ran the edge of his shoe up my leg.
I suppressed a shudder just as Anthony appeared in my line of sight. Quinn had no idea what a simple touch—and that hot look—was doing to my already messy insides.
Now I just needed to keep it together while we enjoyed what would probably be the meal of a lifetime.
“I’m not gonna lie, a part of me thought I was going to leave there hungry.” Quinn pulled into a paid lot in the arts district. “I couldn’t quite wrap my head around how a bunch of mouthful-sized portions could add up to a full meal, but I was mistaken. I guess that will teach me to trust the science.” He parked in one of the only free spaces available, and we got out of the car. “Ready for part two?”
“Definitely.” I looked around. “But where are we? I mean, I know we’re in the arts district, but what’s here?”
“My old theater.” He grinned at my expression. “I spent three years cutting my teeth as a member of the community theater here before I moved to New York.”
“Really?”
“Yup. I became a patron when I retired from filming as a way to give back. As a thank you, they give me season tickets and a private box. I’ve always brought friends or family to shows, now I get to bring my boyfriend.” He flashed me a big smile as we walked down the street together.
My neck heated under my collared shirt. I loved how he never hesitated to call me his boyfriend around others. How he wanted everyone to know that we were together.
“That’s really amazing of you to give back like that.”
He shrugged. “The theater was like a second home to me growing up, and I got a lot of help when I was a kid. Most of my lessons were heavily subsidized, which is the only reason we could afford them. I never would have gotten to where I am now if I hadn’t had that help, and I promised myself I’d pay it forward when I was financially stable and could give others the same opportunities I had.”
I’d noticed Quinn had trouble accepting compliments that didn’t have anything to do with his looks. He always downplayed his accomplishments and brushed off praise because, in his mind, it was just the right thing to do.
“So, what’s playing tonight?” I asked, changing the subject.
“It’s the premiere of an original play called The Seven. It’s about a dinner party with the seven deadly sins where they’re summoned and have to justify their existence and why they’re necessary for the world to function.”
“That’s a fascinating concept. It plays into the argument that in order for good to exist, there needs to be evil.”
“Exactly. The writer is brilliant. I got to take a quick look at the script back when they were casting, and I can’t wait to see what they’ve done with it.”
We came around the corner and were greeted by a crowd of people outside a squat stone building.
Quinn slowed his pace and checked his watch. “We’ve got about ten minutes until they open the doors. Whew. I was worried we wouldn’t make it on time.”
“You said you had a backup plan?”
“Yeah, but I’m keeping that one close to my chest for our next date.” He slipped his hand into mine and squeezed. “I’m really happy I get to share this with you.”
“I’m glad too. It means a lot that you want to share your passions with me.”
Quinn shot me another of those soft smiles that made my insides gooey and leaned in to kiss me.
It was a quick kiss, more of a brushing of lips than anything, but it was what it symbolized that made it so special. Quinn wasn’t afraid to let everyone around us know that he was with me, that he’d chosen me.
“Do you mind if I drag you around to say hi to a few people?” he asked. “It’s either we do it now, or they catch us at intermission.”
“Not at all. Drag away.”
He gave me another quick kiss, then took my hand and led me toward the crowd.