as hip and cool I’m proving my point.”
“Not at all, but thank you, that’s really nice to hear.” She scanned the area. “I’m feeling a little out of place.”
“These parties can get pretty crazy, but you can just stick with us. We’ll take care of you. Gigi’s married to Cassian.” She turned and pointed toward the grill. “He’s the quarterback for the Mavericks, and I’m married to Xander, also a quarterback, but he plays for the Wildcats. Believe me, you fit in with us.”
“Lu, what’s up?” When Gigi came out of the house, she did a doubletake. “Quinn?”
“Hey, Gigi.”
“Oh, my God, it’s so good to see you.”
They hugged, and suddenly she no longer felt so out of place. “It’s been forever.” Coming home had been the best choice. She hadn’t had a chance to catch up with all of her old friends, but she’d make a point of it now.
“I’ve been following your renovation of Matteo’s ranch,” Gigi said. “Or, as we call it, Matteo’s Torment.”
“What does that mean?” Through her confusion, she smiled. “It sounds like a soap opera.”
“Exactly.”
“I don’t get it. Why do you call it that?” She couldn’t help watching as another woman grabbed hold of his arm, trying to lead him away from the group. He shook his head, as he gently pried her hand loose.
“Because he’s so obviously in love with you. His videos are supposed to be about documenting the renovation, but they’re really a love letter to you.”
What? Her bones turned molten, and tears sprang to her eyes. “That’s...” The most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard.
A love letter to me?
“You really didn’t know?” Gigi asked.
“No, I mean…” She tried to complete a sentence, but she was swimming in doubts, regrets, and a rising swell of affection that threatened to drown her.
Gigi squeezed her arm. “Hon, he’s been in love with you for six years.”
Lulu looked like a light bulb had just flicked on in her mind. “So, that’s why he doesn’t hook up with anyone. I always wondered.”
“Oh, I’m sure he gets plenty of action.” Quinn’s laugh sounded fake, and it was obvious she was fishing for more.
Gigi gestured to the party. “He’s had every opportunity in the world, but I’ve never seen him go for it. I asked him about it one time, and do you know what he said?”
She barely shook her head.
“He told me he fell in love with someone years ago, and even though he knew he couldn’t have her, it was too late. He was done-for. He wouldn’t tell me who it was, and then about a month ago I started to notice the way he recorded you—he’d zoom in on your laughter or linger a little too long while you figured out how to use an adhesive. And I said, ‘It’s her, isn’t it? You’re in love with Quinn.’ And he literally said, ‘She stole my heart six years ago, and I haven’t gotten it back.’”
I’m an idiot.
The best man in the entire world wants me, and I keep coming up with excuses to keep myself from getting hurt. “You know what? Never getting to be with him would hurt a thousand times worse than a broken heart.”
Lulu tipped her head in confusion. “Sorry?”
“I meant to say that in my head. I don’t know if you heard, but I got divorced recently, and I haven’t wanted to jump into another relationship.”
“I’m really sorry to hear that,” Gigi said.
“It was awful. He cheated, and I thought it was the worst thing I’d ever experienced. But it isn’t. Pushing away the best man I’ve ever known is so much worse.”
She was hidden behind Lulu and Gigi, so he hadn’t seen her yet. As he told a story, all smiles and gesticulating hands, a woman jumped on his back. He scowled, twisting around to set her on her feet, and that was the moment his gaze swung over and connected with hers.
And it struck her like a live wire. “Will you excuse me?”
“Of course,” Gigi said.
“Go get him,” Lulu said.
As Matteo parted from the group and made his way toward her, Quinn hurried across the lawn, around the patio, and met him in the shade of a tree.
He cupped her elbows. “Hey.” His eyes shone with happiness, and there was no denying what he felt for her. “Everything all right?”
“I’m crazy about you.”
“You—you’re what?”
“I am. I’ve always been. But I was married, and I couldn’t even allow for the possibility. But you were the one I always looked for when