Page 22 of Stolen Hearts (WaterColor Romance #7)

Autumn hadn’t slept particularly well the previous night.

She couldn’t help replaying that moment with Quinn.

Watching her dance with Rory had been hard.

Then Rory leaning in so she could fasten the necklace around Quinn’s neck, and the kiss.

Not that it had been a sexy moment, it didn’t even qualify as romantic.

But it had felt intimate enough to make Autumn uncomfortable.

This morning she was going to a local park to meet up with River and Piper.

After her accident River had taken a long break from running.

She hadn’t quite gotten all her mojo back, but today the friends were meeting up for a jog.

Cardio was Autumn’s least favorite form of exercise, especially jogging or running.

But she’d do anything to help support her friend.

On top of that she wanted their take for what she should do about Quinn.

The park was busier than Autumn had expected for an early morning jog.

She found her friends underneath a large palm tree.

They both waved at her smiles wide as she approached.

Autumn felt a pang of guilt. They’d planned this outing a few days ago, before everything that had happened with Quinn.

Autumn wondered if she should have cancelled, so she could save her friends from her bad mood.

Autumn forced a smile and waved back to her friends.

It was too late to cancel now, she would have to do her best to smile through the morning.

“Good morning,” River beamed. She watched as her friend stretched out her hamstrings then her quads.

“Morning,” Autumn smiled.

Piper arched an eyebrow, a clear indication that somehow she already knew something was wrong. Autumn only offered Piper a head nod. A clear signal that they weren’t going to talk about it now.

“How far are we going?” Autumn asked.

“Let’s start easy this morning. Two miles,” River answered.

“Sounds perfect,” Piper offered.

They took off towards the path that overlooked the ocean. Autumn allowed herself to get lost in the view. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore was soothing. The sun beat down on them but Autumn found it soothing. She sucked in every bit of the warmth.

The run ended sooner than Autumn expected.

She must have been more lost in her thoughts then she realized.

River and Piper slowed into a walk and Autumn pulled up beside them.

Her surroundings were familiar. Autumn turned around and it instantly dawned on her where she was.

There was the taco truck, and just past it was the bench.

Her and Quinn’s bench. Autumn sighed, staring at the bench.

“What’s going on with you today?” River asked.

“Nothing,” Autumn tried to plaster a smile on her face. She knew she had failed when her friends grimaced at her expression.

“Autumn, what’s going on?” Piper asked, her eyebrow raised.

Autumn groaned, there was no way out of the conversation.

“Quinn and I are in a fight. Well, kind of a fight. We haven’t really spoken since last night.”

“Why don’t we sit on that bench, and you can tell us all about it,” River suggested.

“No, not that bench,” Autumn protested. Her words were a little more fervent than she’d intended. She watched as concern etched its way across her friend’s faces.

“Sorry. That’s the bench where Quinn told me she was going to ask me out as soon as the bar project was over. That’s where things sort of started with us,” Autumn explained.

“Okay, let’s sit under that palm tree then,” Piper suggested. She pointed to a nearby tree. Autumn nodded her agreement.

Once they were seated, River turned to Autumn. Her voice was calm and even.

“Now will you please tell us what’s going on with you and Quinn?” River asked, her voice was calm and even. Autumn took a moment to gather her thoughts, and breathe in the salty air.

“Quinn’s ex found a necklace that was very important to Quinn.

She insisted on coming to hand deliver said necklace even after Quinn told her to just mail it.

This whole time leading up to her ex getting here Quinn has been talking about how she wanted to get the whole thing over with.

She didn’t want to see her ex. She didn’t want to spend more time than necessary with her. ”

“Sounds reasonable so far,” Piper said.

“So, what happened?” River asked.

“I told Quinn I would swing by the bar later in the evening. You know, give her a chance to get her necklace back and send her ex on her way.”

Her friends remained silent but smiled reassuringly as she spoke.

“When I got there not only was Rory still at the bar, she and Quinn were dancing together. Then Quinn let Rory fasten the necklace around her neck and give her a kiss on the cheek. I know it could all be very innocent, but it’s really throwing me for a loop.”

“I think that’s understandable,” Piper offered.

“Yeah. No one wants to see their girlfriend be quite that chummy with their ex,” River suggested.

“Now Quinn’s sorry, and she swears the whole thing was innocent. But how do I know that she doesn’t secretly want to get back together with this woman? How do I know I can trust that they’re really done with one another?”

“I think you have to talk to Quinn and get a gauge on things. Find out what was going on inside of her head at the time,” Piper answered.

“I agree with Piper. Though I can certainly understand why you’re upset. I don’t think anyone wants to catch their girlfriend dancing with one of their exes,” River offered.

“I’m afraid to talk to her.”

“Why are you afraid?” Piper asked.

“Quinn has been so vocal about being done with Rory. What if seeing her changed something for Quinn? Maybe her feelings for Rory aren’t as done as she thought they were.

” Autumn felt the weight of her own words.

These were the fears that had kept her awake the night before.

Her friends sat in silence with her for a few minutes.

“If it helps, I think Quinn’s feelings for you are genuine,” Piper said.

“I think her feelings are genuine too. But that doesn’t make this easier,” Autumn admitted.

“But you’re both right I won’t know until I talk to her about it.”

Autumn stood and stretched. They still had to run back to their cars.

She took off before any more conversations about her relationship with Quinn could be started.

Her friends seemed to get the hint and jogged with her in silence.

Once they reached their cars each gave her a hug promising to be there if and when she needed them.

“I really do love you guys,” Autumn brought them both in for a tight hug.

“We love you, too,” Piper smiled.

Autumn waited in her car until Piper and River drove off, then she pulled out her phone.

Autumn shot Quinn a text message asking the woman to meet up with her.

Quinn responded quickly with a yes. Autumn wondered if the woman had been waiting for her to text or just happened to be close to her phone?

Quinn was more than happy to meet up with her.

Autumn suggested that they meet at her place in an hour. Quinn agreed to those terms readily. It was obvious that Quinn just wanted to have a conversation with her. Autumn supposed that was a mark in her favor.

Autumn stripped out of her sweaty clothes and hopped in the shower.

She’d gotten into the habit of taking morning showers with Quinn.

Now she couldn’t stop herself from remembering Quinn.

The way her body looked and felt. It wasn’t fair to give Autumn everything she’d ever hoped for in a partner only to have a messy complicated ex come on the scene.

Or maybe that was fair. No relationship was perfect.

But could this particular ex be overcome?

Autumn would find out in under an hour. Her feet were cold when they hit the tile floor.

Autumn rushed to get dressed, she had allowed herself to enjoy the shower for too long.

She had just pulled on a pair of socks when Quinn knocked on the door. Perfect timing, Autumn would have expected nothing less. She opened the door and noted that Quinn looked terrible. Her eyes were red and puffy, and there were dark circles under them. At least she’d taken their fight seriously.

“Hey,” Autumn managed.

“Hey,” Quinn repeated.

“Come in,” Autumn offered, stepping to the side of the door. Quinn did as she was told.

Autumn pointed to the couch and once again Quinn did as directed. Autumn sat a cushion away from Quinn. She hated how much her body longed to be closer to Quinn. It was as if Quinn was a giant magnet slowly drawing her closer.

“We should talk about the other night,” Autumn started.

“I agree. Just tell me what you need.”

“I think I’m just confused. This whole time you’ve been talking about how you were frustrated because you didn’t want to see Rory or spend time with her. You just wanted your necklace back, that was it.”

“That was it,” Quinn stated, there was emotion lacing her words.

“It didn’t seem like that was it when I walked in and saw the two of you dancing,” Autumn fired back.

“It was a goodbye dance,” Quinn offered, her tone quieting again.

“Quinn, goodbye dances are not a thing.”

“Ugh, Rory and I met out dancing one night. Our relationship started with a dance, she wanted to end it with a dance too.”

“Your relationship ended when Rory cheated on you and bought a house with another woman,” Autumn half-shouted.

“It was just a nicer way of ending things. A kind of closure.”

Autumn had never been terribly sentimental. The idea of a gesture such as a goodbye dance was hard for her to wrap her mind around.

“I don’t understand that. I don’t understand why you would get that close to her when you’re dating me. Did you even think about me? Did you even think about us?” Autumn’s voice cracked as tears stung her eyes. All the emotions she had held inside spilled out.

She felt Quinn wrap her arms around her. Quinn held her so tightly that Autumn was sure Quinn would be able to hear the sound of her heart breaking. Quinn’s hand rubbed her back as she held her close. Quinn embraced her for a few minutes without saying a word.

“You’re right, I didn’t take enough time to consider you or our relationship.

I was so busy trying to appease Rory and get my necklace back that it didn’t occur to me how hurt you’d be seeing me dance with her, or watching her be that close to me.

I gave her access that I should never have given her.

All I can say is I’m sorry. I promise that there wasn’t anything else that went into it.

I didn’t even feel attracted to her anymore.

The entire thing felt awkward and forced and sad.

You are so important to me and you should be someone that I’m considerate of.

I fucked up and I’m so sorry. I hope you can forgive me. ”

Autumn felt a new set of tears landing on her shoulder.

She knew that Quinn was crying now. Autumn took a moment to consider Quinn’s words.

There was a genuineness to Quinn’s words that threatened to melt Autumn’s heart if she would just let them.

Autumn didn’t melt for people, she never had.

Her parents had spent her early life instilling in her the need to show up as the best possible version of herself.

Rain or shine. Good times and bad times, Autumn had been expected to be impeccable.

The good times were an opportunity to show grace and the bad times were to show humility.

She’d never been allowed to show imperfection, much less admit to it.

Yet, here Quinn was, admitting exactly that.

She was owning up to her mistakes. Quinn offered no excuses to Autumn.

She knew that she had hurt Autumn and she was simply sorry for that.

Autumn wasn’t sure what to do with the moment, she didn’t know what it meant.

But Autumn could feel her heart expanding even as another one of her walls crumbled.

Because if she could allow Quinn to be imperfect, then maybe she could let herself have those moments as well.

“I forgive you,” Autumn whispered into the quiet moment.

Quinn squeezed her even tighter, and Autumn let herself enjoy the feeling of being held.

There could be beauty in something that wasn’t inherently perfect.

Autumn sat within the moment allowing herself to exist inside it.

Allowing herself to feel everything that Quinn brought up for her.

“I love you so much, and that opens me up to being hurt. I’m not used to that, but I feel safe with you so I’m willing to trust the thing between us.

Please be careful with me.” The words were more vulnerable than anything that had ever come out of her mouth before.

Vulnerability wasn’t something she’d practiced much over her life.

Quinn brought her lips to Autumn’s ear.

“I promise you will always be safe with me. I love you, too,” Quinn whispered.

It was exactly everything that Quinn needed to hear.

She felt her whole body relax into Quinn’s arms. They loved each other and they would take care of one another.

Autumn didn’t have to do everything alone, she knew Quinn would always show up for her.

Peace replaced fear and love covered over her worry from moments before.

Autumn was ready to move into the future with Quinn.

They spent a couple of hours simply cuddled together on the couch.

As if they were each afraid to let the other go.

Autumn’s phone buzzed on the coffee table and she finally broke away so she could check her messages.

When she saw that the message was from her Mom Autumn instinctively sat up a little straigter.

Quinn noted the obvious shift, and her brown eyes took on a slight hint of concern.

“Is everything okay?” Quinn asked.

“Everything is fine. My parents want to come for a visit,” Autumn tried and failed to smile genuinely.

“That’s great. I’d love to meet your parents,” Quinn smiled warmly.

“You are so cute. But my parents would eat you alive,” Autumn insisted.

“Parents love me. But even if they are cannibals I’d love to meet them,” Quinn chuckled. Autumn rolled her eyes and laughed.

“You do?”

“Of course. I want to meet all the important people in your life.”

Autumn’s heart swelled at Quinn’s words. Her parents intimidated most people, Autumn included. It was nice that Quinn wanted to be so integrated into her life.

“Besides, if we’re together I should meet your parents,” Quinn leaned in and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.

“You’re right. I’m sure it’ll be a great visit.”

Autumn sent her mom a confirmation text. She loved her parents and was excited to see them, even if having them here to examine her life made Autumn nervous.