Page 35 of Quinton's Quest

“Hello.” A gorgeous man, about my height, with red hair and a matching beard as well as soft-blue eyes, stepped into the room with a wide grin on his face. He held out his hand. “I’m Justin Bridges-Powers.”

“The counselor.” I shook his hand.

He shrugged. “I’m a PhD student, but I’ve still got some time to go before I hit doctor status.”

“Ah.”

“Coffee’s ready. Justin, are you up for a bun? I was offering one to Dr. Rodgers—”

“Please, it’s Leo. I shouldn’t have mentioned the surgery.”

Rainbow handed me the mug and then cocked her head. “We’re respectful of titles. Kennedy doesn’t go out of her way to advertise the fact she has PhDs…but she doesn’t hide it either.” She pivoted to Justin. “Green tea?”

He made a face. “Caffeine-free Earl Grey, please.”

She laughed. “Saw that coming.”

“I will take a bun as I’m a little peckish. Stanley’s taking the kids to A&W. Angus really wanted onion rings and my wonderful husband didn’t know how to resist.”

“But Angus isn’t manipulative.” Rainbow put hot water in a mug and added a tea bag.

“That’s the point.” Justin gave me a glance. “Our son rarely asks for anything. So if he mentions he’d like something, then he really does. So we’re more likely to accommodate him. Opal? Our daughter? She wants everything all the time—so we have to work to temper her expectations. But she’s five versus her older brother who’s twelve.”

“Kids should come with an instruction manual.” I scratched my stubbled jaw.

Rainbow pulled two plates from the cupboard and gestured for Justin and me to grab buns. She placed a pat of butter on a tray beside the basket. “Honey butter. Oh, I have peanut butter as well. I should heat these up.”

Before either Justin or I could say anything, she put two buns on a plate and put that in the microwave.

I met Justin’s gaze and read ajust roll with itin his eyes.

In return, I smiled. Then I sipped my coffee. “Thank you for this.”

“My pleasure.” Rainbow pulled the plate from the microwave and nudged a bun onto a plate. “No pressure.”

Justin laughed wholeheartedly. “Right. Like someone can turn down fresh baked buns with honey butter.” He grabbed a knife, slit his bun open, and slathered it with butter. “You’re a woman after my heart.”

“I already have your heart.” She laughed. “I’m just lucky Stanley’s not a jealous man.”

I cocked my head.

Justin handed me the knife. “She’s joking. I was working here before I met Stanley, and so Rainbow likes to tease that she has dibs on me.”

Rainbow sighed dramatically. “All the good ones are gay or taken.”

“Or both.” Justin pointed to his chest.

His coworker rolled her eyes.

I cut my bun and inhaled deeply. “This really is a wonderful treat.” I added just a light spread of the butter—fully aware it wasn’t the healthiest of foods.

“I’m going to drag Kennedy out of her office so she can have dinner with me.” Rainbow put her hand on her hip.

“And that would be our signal to leave the sisters alone.” Justin grabbed his mug of tea. “If you’d like to follow me…” He headed toward a hallway. I had my plate in one hand and my mug of coffee in the other.

“Do you want Tiffany?” Rainbow called after us. “She’s eaten.”

Justin caught my gaze. “Do you want her to join us?”