Page 129 of Timeless

“Yeah.”

“Well, I’m different than both of them. All of them, really. So are you. And what I like most about you are those differences.”

Abby snuggled in closer and felt her blush creep up on her cheeks.

“You do?”

“You have a dry wit and this sarcasm that I love. It fits right with my own. I don’t think any of them were quite like that, were they?”

“Not from what I’ve seen, no,” Abby said.

“And, yeah, you’re a writer, and Cheryl was, too, but she was a journalist. I’m sure her articles were good and all that, but you write books, and your first book is amazing. I really do love it. And I love what you’ve shown me of the stories you’ve been writing about our past lives.”

“I’m just writing down what actually happened.”

“Maybe the events, sure. But the words are your own, Abs. The prose is all you, and I love it. I love that today, you brought your computer because you wanted to write at theshop while I worked. You love working from home, and I know how the rest of the world isn’t always your favorite place, but you came back to the shop today.”

“I… I would’ve missed you too much,” she admitted. “That issounlike me, by the way.”

Quinn laughed and said, “I’ll take it as a compliment.”

“You should. But don’t go getting a big head about it, Quinn Elizabeth.”

“I’ll–”

Just as Quinn had been about to complete her sentence, the automatic sprinklers popped up out of the grass, and cold water started to spray all around them, including on them, their blanket, and the rest of their stuff.

“Oh, my God!” Abby laughed as she jolted up and ran away from the water toward the small parking lot.

“You just left me here?” Quinn laughed. “Abs, our stuff.” She picked up the blanket and the bags of food leftovers.

Abby laughed some more and replied, “I thought you were the chivalrous one.” She wiped the water off her face and looked down at her clothes, which were pretty much soaked through.

“I must be less chivalrous than my previous versions.” Quinn ran toward her and shook her head back and forth like she was a dog, getting water all over Abby again.

Abby laughed wildly and wiped her face again.

“I really thought the park was open until eight,” Quinn said as she placed the blanket over Abby’s shoulder. “You’re carrying that.”

“I guess they water around six,” Abby replied. “Come on. Let’s go home, babe.”

“My place to get a bag?”

“No, just come to mine,” she said. “You can steal my clothes again.” She took Quinn’s hand and moved into her side, leaning against her. “Well, this was quite an eventful day, huh?”

Quinn laughed. Then, she drove them home. It only took about ten minutes, but Abby was freezing by the timethey got there, despite Quinn putting the heat on full blast for the entire drive.

“You’re freezing,” Quinn said as she ran her hands up and down Abby’s arms. “Bed? And, like, five blankets over you?”

“No, I need to get in the shower. That’ll warm me up.”

“Okay. Can I get a towel and some clothes while you do so? I’ll dry off, change, and then, I can make us some coffee. I know we’ve had, like, four cups today, but I think we could use it to warm up. Or tea? Hot chocolate?”

“Quinn?”

Quinn looked at her expectantly.

“Just get in the shower with me.”