Page 16 of Stolen Hearts (WaterColor Romance #7)
Autumn nervously paced the floor of her home.
Quinn would be there any moment and they would be going to Piper’s home for a dinner party.
She knew that Quinn would fit right in, but she still had to fight the small voice of worry inside of her that told her all the things that could potentially go wrong.
A week. It was hard to believe that she and Quinn had only been together for one week.
They had spent every moment they could together.
Most nights they were either at Autumn’s place or Quinn’s.
Even with her being around more than ever Autumn still found herself missing Quinn when she wasn’t there.
She knew she was putting undue pressure on this get together with her friends. With no family in the area, Autumn placed a lot of value on her friends. She heard the now familiar sound of Quinn knocking on her door.
Quinn stood with what appeared to be a container holding a red Jello salad. Autumn’s mouth quirked upward into a smile.
“Is that a Jello salad?” Autumn asked.
“Yes, I made it myself.”
Quinn was so proud of her creation that Autumn simply smiled, her heartwarming in a way that only Quinn had managed to pull out of her. Quinn leaned in and kissed Autumn on the cheek.
“Are you ready to go?” Quinn asked.
“You seem very excited,” Autumn laughed.
“I am. It’s nice that I’m getting to spend time with your friends.”
Autumn’s heart exploded in her chest.
“Really?”
“Of course. Your friends are important to you. So, getting to know them is a big deal.”
Autumn pulled Quinn back in for a second kiss.
“Let’s get going.” Autumn started walking and Quinn trailed after her.
Piper’s home was freshly decorated and welcoming. Autumn had always admired how hospitable Piper was. It took Autumn months of hyping herself up to invite a group into her home. Piper on the other hand adored inviting people into her space.
Piper greeted them enthusiastically. Her long dark hair that she typically wore down was put up into a tight bun.
Piper pulled Autumn in for a hug first then followed suit with Quinn.
Autumn watched as Piper clocked the Jello salad.
Piper’s eyebrow arched slightly, but she smiled wide as she took the dish from Quinn.
“Come on in. Everyone is here.”
They walked in and Autumn immediately felt welcome.
Mel came up and gave her a huge hug. Willow, who had always been slightly more reserved gave Autumn a side hug.
River and Brianna waved from their spot beside the food table.
Before Autumn had time to protest, River had grabbed Quinn by the arm and pulled her away.
Quinn stood with River, Brianna, and Mel.
Quinn looked as though she felt right at home here.
Though Autumn had noticed that Quinn always seemed to fit with whatever group of people she was with.
“So, things are going well still?” Piper asked.
“Yeah, things are great. I don’t even mind sharing my space with Quinn. Which for me is a big deal.”
“That is pretty big for you,” Willow agreed.
“As your friends, is there anything we should be concerned about?”
“I don’t think so. Quinn seems to be a walking green flag though it’s still early days.”
“I think it’s so sweet how the two of you waited to go out. And you still make eyes at each other from across the room,” Willow swooned.
“Being in love with Mel has changed you as a person,” Piper laughed.
Willow shot Piper a death glare that only made Autumn burst into laughter.
“Okay, but Piper isn’t wrong on this one. You’ve never been this soft with anyone else we’ve ever seen you with.”
“You’re one to talk. You’ve been a hard nut to crack for years. Suddenly Quinn walks onto the scene and you’re smitten,” Willow teased.
Autumn knew the words rang true. There was something so sweet about Quinn that Autumn found all of her walls almost instantly knocked down.
That realization should scare her. On the contrary, Autumn felt at ease.
She couldn’t imagine Quinn ever going through with something that would knowingly hurt her.
“You’re not wrong and I can’t explain it,” Autumn offered.
“I wouldn’t over think it. Maybe you just found someone who is worth trusting,” Piper suggested, laying a hand on Autumn’s shoulder.
Autumn’s eyes navigated back to Quinn. She was surprised to find that Quinn was looking at her too. Their eyes met and Autumn felt a sudden jolt. Quinn’s deep almond-colored eyes always drew her in. There was such warmth behind those eyes.
From beside her Piper cleared her throat.
“Earth to Autumn,” Piper laughed.
“What?”
“You zoned out making goo-goo eyes at Quinn,” Willow teased.
Autumn felt a red-hot blush spread across her cheeks.
“I’m going to go interrogate your new girlfriend,” Piper announced with a shrug of her shoulders. Piper poured herself another glass of wine before walking up to Quinn. The two seemed friendly, and that did Autumn’s heart good.
It’s really nice to see you so happy.” Willow placed a hand on Autumn’s shoulder.
“It’s really nice to see you happy, too,” Autumn agreed.
“Thanks. Being with Mel has definitely changed my life for the better.”
Autumn smiled fondly at her friend. Willow had been through her fair share of relationship bullshit, and it was nice to see her friend come out on the other side.
“Did you guys ever decide what you were going to do for the honeymoon?” Autumn asked. Willow gave a not-so-subtle roll of her eyes.
“Did I say something wrong?” Autumn asked, genuinely concerned.
“No,” Willow sighed.
“Mel somehow convinced me to let her plan the wedding. And I’ll plan the honeymoon.”
“Sounds wonderful to me.”
“It is. Travel is definitely more up my alley than wedding planning. But now I find myself worried about how far Mel might take this whole wedding planning thing.”
“I’m sure Mel won’t overdo it. She’ll probably just have doves released as you both walk down the aisle. What could go wrong there?”
“Stop. I hadn’t even considered doves being released.”
“Willow. This is Mel we’re talking about. She’s the most grounded of humans. She’s not going to order hundreds of doves to be released.”
“Well thanks for putting that fear in my head,” Willow teased. Autumn shook her head and grinned.
“Okay, well I’m going to go find my girlfriend,” Autumn laughed. Her word choice hit her too late, after the words had already escaped her mouth.
“Girlfriend, huh?” Willow smiled.
“Don’t you start,” Autumn groaned.
“I’m not starting anything. Sounds to me like you’re the one who wants to start something,” Willow shot after her. Autumn was already hurrying away.
Had she just referred to Quinn as her girlfriend? They’d only been going out for a week. Surely that was too soon to make that kind of declaration. If it was too soon, then where had the words come from?
Quinn stood facing Piper and Mel. Autumn took the opportunity to slide her arms around Quinn’s waist. She felt the moment when Quinn melted into her touch.
That was one thing that drove her wild about Quinn.
Quinn was always leaning into her contact with Autumn.
There was nothing she wanted more than to hold Quinn’s body against her own.
Though she supposed she should show some kind of decorum among her friends.
Quinn turned her face, smiling at Autumn. She gave Autumn a quick peck of a kiss on her cheek before turning back to the conversation.
Quinn’s phone buzzed, interrupting the conversation. Autumn watched as she pulled the phone out and frowned at the screen.
“Everything alright?” Autumn asked. Quinn startled as if remembering where she was.
“Yes. Everything’s fine. Just some business stuff. I’ll have to take care of it tomorrow. Quinn put her phone on mute and shoved it in her pocket.
“No more work tonight,” Quinn laughed. She leaned in to give Autumn a sweet tiny kiss on the cheek.
When Quinn pulled away, she offered Autumn a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
Autumn made a mental note to ask her about the text message later.
Within moments she’d forgotten, Quinn and her friends genuinely seemed to enjoy one another.
The night was everything Autumn could have asked for.
Quinn made Autumn feel so utterly cared for.
Autumn couldn’t be sure what she wanted their label to be, not yet at least. But Autumn did know that she wanted Quinn to be in her life for a long time.