Page 6 of Lakeside Longing
She was just about to resort to more forceful measures when a familiar voice cut through the tension. She hadn’t heard that voice in years, but she’d recognize it anywhere.
“Quinn, there you are!”
Relief flooded through her as she saw Rebecca entering the kitchen, her eyes taking in the scene with a single glance. She moved towards them, her smile warm but her gaze sharp.
“I’m sorry to interrupt,” she said, smoothly inserting herself between Quinn and Brad, “but your mother is looking for you, Quinn. Something about a special toast.”
It was a lie, Quinn knew, but she seized on it gratefully. “Of course,” she said, setting down her wine glass. “I’ll be right there.”
She could feel Brad’s disappointment, but he finally let his arm drop, stepping back.
Rebecca’s hand was on Quinn’s back, a gentle but insistent pressure guiding her out of the kitchen. As the door swung shut behind them, Quinn let out a shaky breath.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“I’m just glad I chose that moment to come inside.” Rebecca steered them toward a quiet corner on the deck. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine. It happens all the time. I should have handled that better, but I don’t know. He just caught me off guard.”
Rebecca’s gaze lingered on her. “You shouldn’t have to handle situations like that. I wish people would remember that actresses, athletes, whoever are just like them. That you deserve the same respect. The same privacy.”
Quinn had always thought her mother was lucky to have a friend like Rebecca, and she’d always been supportive of both Quinn and Reagan, going to sports games or high school plays in Quinn’s case, but right now, she was reminded of that more than ever.
“I know,” Quinn agreed, “but unfortunately it’s never going to be like that.”
Behind Rebecca, Quinn watched as Chloe climbed the stairs to the deck. She was probably in her late thirties, and she had a confidence about her that Quinn immediately envied. She tucked a piece of chestnut brown hair behind her ear as she reached the top step, revealing two maybe three earrings. Quinn couldn’t tell from here, and then she spotted a tattoo that was barely visible beneath the sleeve of her long-sleeved shirt.
Quinn was about to excuse herself, assuming Chloe was looking for Rebecca, but before she could, she met Chloe’s eyes, and Quinn knew that expression. It always started with a double take and then when the recognition hit them, their eyes widened slightly and more often than not their mouths fell open. And that was exactly what was happening right now.
Chloe strode across the deck. “I don’t believe it. You’re Quinn Fallon,” she said in a rush. “I’m such a big fan. I know probably everyone says that, but I really am. I’ve seen all your movies, and can I just say, I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited for a movie to come out. When I heard you were playing a queer character… Representation is so important, and I know a lot of people don’t agree with straight people playing queer characters, but I don’t mind. As long as the actress takes that responsibility on with respect and care, who am I to judge?”
Chloe inhaled a deep breath, and she glanced at Rebecca who looked like she wanted to be anywhere but there, her cheeks a deep shade of red now.
“Sorry,” Chloe said. “I just word vomited there. I’m so sorry.”
Rebecca pressed her lips together. “Quinn, this is Chloe. Chloe, this is Quinn. Sarah’s daughter,” she said those last words with a little more emphasis as she stared at Chloe.
“Oh.” Chloe blinked a few times before she nodded.
“Nice to meet you,” Quinn offered as she leaned back against the railing, hoping that Chloe would reel it in now.
“You-you too.” Chloe at least looked embarrassed now. “Anyway, I was on my way inside to find a bathroom.”
“Go through the kitchen and down the hall. It’s the last door on the right,” Quinn said, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Thanks,” Chloe said before heading inside.
“I’m so sorry,” Rebecca said with a sigh.
“It’s okay. Maybe a little funny? You know, with the timing. You’re there defending my right to privacy and then your girlfriend comes along and jumps right in.”
Rebecca shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips. “She’s not my girlfriend. Well, we’re dating? I guess? I don’t know. It’s new. She’s young.” Her voice trailed off.
“I had no idea,” Quinn said as she met Rebecca’s eyes. “But congratulations? Is that a weird thing to say?”
Rebecca laughed. “It might be, but I’ll take it. I took the long way around, but I got there in the end, and now I’m nearly fifty and dating women in their thirties. Maybe, I’m just having a mid-life crisis,” she joked.
“Well, whatever it is, it took a lot of guts. I’m sure it wasn’t easy to tell your husband. To start over.”