Page 5 of Lakeside Longing

As Quinn stepped into the backyard of her childhood home, a wave of nostalgia washed over her. The late September sun cast a warm glow on the familiar surroundings, from the old oak tree she used to climb as a kid to the weathered picnic table where she’d shared countless summer meals with her family. Today, the yard had been transformed for her mother’s 50th birthday party, with a large white tent sheltering elegantly set tables and colorful balloons swaying in the gentle breeze.

Luckily, it was a mild September day, and they could enjoy being outside in the sunshine. The air was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of barbecued food, and Quinn’s stomach rumbled in response. Her father had made a last minute decision to fire up the grill when he’d seen the forecast. Inside the house, a buffet had been set up by a catering company with all of her mother’s favorite dishes.

Quinn stood on the deck, surveying it all, hoping that everything went well today. Her mother was extremely laid back, but Quinn knew that she’d been looking forward to today since her last birthday. She’d taken on the approach of embracing her fiftieth birthday rather than shying away from it.

Quinn just had to hope that no one would pay her any attention. That was the last thing she wanted. She knew the chances of anything happening were slim. Just about everyone here had known Quinn since she was a kid, but it could still happen, so she’d chosen a pair of comfortable jeans and a fitted navy sweater, trying to blend in. She left her hair to fall in loose waves that fell across her shoulders, and put on the lightest layer of makeup.

She’d kept herself busy, making sure her father had enough burger buns, and that the ice bucket outside was full of beer. But she’d run out of jobs, and found herself scanning the crowd. Her gaze landed on Rebecca, her mother’s best friend, standing beneath the tent with a woman Quinn didn’t recognize. The woman next to Rebecca leaned in close, her hand resting on Rebecca’s arm with an easy intimacy.

Almost without realizing it, Quinn found herself drifting towards her younger sister, Reagan, who was uncorking another bottle of wine.

“Hey, Rae,” Quinn said softly, sidling up beside her. “Who’s that with Rebecca?”

Reagan glanced up, her gaze following Quinn’s. “Oh, that’s Chloe. I just met her like an hour ago, but I think she’s Rebecca’s girlfriend,” she replied nonchalantly as she twisted the screw and eased the cork out.

Quinn felt as if the world had tilted on its axis. “Her what?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Her girlfriend,” Reagan repeated, giving Quinn a curious look. “Didn’t Mom tell you? Rebecca got divorced a few years ago and came out. I knew she’d been dating, but this is the first time I’ve seen her with someone.”

Quinn shook her head, her mind reeling, her palms suddenly clammy. Rebecca and Anthony had gotten a divorce? Quinnalways thought of them as a solid couple. “Did you say Rebecca came out?”

“Yeah.” Reagan had a strange look on her face. “How did you not know this? Mom’s been her biggest fan. I mean, she always was, but she’s been so proud of her. She’d play matchmaker if she could, but I don’t think she knows anyone else that’s gay.”

“I had no idea.” It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing a whole new facet of the woman she thought she knew so well.

As Quinn watched Rebecca and Chloe together, she felt a flurry of emotions she couldn’t quite untangle. Shock, certainly, but also curiosity. When had Rebecca figured out that she was into women? Had she known for years? Had she met someone while she was married that made her realize?

Quinn leaned against the deck railing. When she’d talked to Piper the other day, she’d been so caught up in the fact that she’d somehow missed this. How could she not know something so fundamental about herself? She felt like she’d wasted so much time. But she was just thirty. Rebecca was right around her mother’s age, and she’d only come up a few years ago?

Quinn felt a strange sense of calm as she watched Rebecca. The copper and golden streaks that ran through her dark hair caught in the sunlight, and she laughed at something Chloe said. Quinn had spent the last few days trying to come to terms with the idea that she’d been living a lie, but she hadn’t been. She hadn’t known. She hadn’t hid anything. She just hadn’t realized. And she wasn’t the only one apparently.

She inhaled a deep breath. When she thought of all the emotions she’d felt these last few days, she couldn’t begin to imagine what Rebecca must have gone through. She had a husband. A great guy who everyone loved. She was in her forties when she came out. The only thing that Quinn could think about was how brave she’d been. What Rebecca did took guts, especially here, in their small town. Quinn couldn’t evenremember knowing anyone who was gay when she’d grown up here. There’d been no one.

Quinn left the deck and stepped back inside. The kitchen was a hub of activity, with catering staff bustling about and refilling drinks. Quinn barely noticed them, her attention focused inward as she reached for a wine glass and the open bottle of Chardonnay on the counter.

As she poured herself a generous glass, a man’s voice came from behind her. “You’re Quinn Fallon.” She could hear the smugness in his voice.

Quinn turned, her heart sinking as she registered the eager expression on the young man’s face. He was wearing the catering company’s uniform, his name tag identifying him as “Brad.”

She forced a polite smile, the one she’d perfected over years in the spotlight. “Yes, that’s me.”

Brad’s eyes widened, his grin stretching from ear to ear. “Wow, I can’t believe it’s really you! I’m such a huge fan. I’ve seen all your movies.”

Quinn took a sip of her wine, bracing herself for what she knew was coming. “Thank you.”

But Brad wasn’t done. He pulled out his phone, his hands shaking with excitement. “Could I get a picture with you? My friends will never believe this!”

Quinn’s stomach churned. This was the part she hated, the part where her personal space and boundaries ceased to matter. She glanced around the kitchen, hoping for an escape, but the other staff members were studiously avoiding her gaze.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t really feel comfortable with photos right now,” she said, trying to keep her tone light.

“Oh, come on, just one quick selfie! It’ll only take a second.”

Before Quinn could protest further, he was at her side, his arm snaking around her shoulders as he held up his phone.Quinn stiffened, the unwanted contact sending a shiver down her spine.

“Brad, please,” she said, trying to step away. “I really don’t?—”

But he wasn’t listening. He pulled her closer, his cheek pressing against hers as he angled the phone. Quinn could smell his cologne, sharp and cloying. This was the moment where things could go from uncomfortable to dangerous, where a fan’s enthusiasm could turn into something darker.