The Christmas Tree Guy (10 page)

“I really had a great time tonight.” Quinn said, stuffing his hands in his jean pockets as they stood on the front steps.

“I did too. I haven’t laughed that much in a long time.”

“So maybe this will lead to another date?” He moved up a step to be closer to her and him being so near made chills shimmy up her spine. She shook her head at his persistence. The man just didn’t give up.

“Quinn, I don’t know. We had fun tonight, but-”

“Yes, we had fun. Why does it have to be a problem for us to go out with one another and have fun? Isn’t that what people do?” He dipped his head to look directly into her eyes and she couldn’t tear her gaze away.

“Yeah, they do, but-”
      

“But nothing. Come on, Sydnee. Why are you making this so hard?” Breathing slowly, she tilted her head and sighed. He was such an optimistic and open guy and it was nice to be able to spend time with someone like him, but Sydnee couldn’t get past those nagging feelings about what people would think or say.

“Quinn, I think you’re a wonderful guy and you have so many great qualities that you should share with someone more your age and who has more in common with you. Someone you can see yourself sharing a life with.”

“And you honestly can’t believe I feel that person could be you?”

“Whoa, Quinn, really, that’s ridiculous. We just met and I’m eight years older. You have a whole lifetime ahead of you.”

“Age is nothing but a number, Syd,” he said playfully. “C’mon. It’s just two people going out getting to know one another and having fun. What’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing is wrong with two people having fun, but what you are alluding to is a relationship. I’m just not ready for that.”

“Why not?” The front porch light reflected in his bright eyes and she groaned at the thought of how nothing bad had touched him yet. He was still young and looked at the glass half full, while she was at the half empty downward slope.

“You’re too much, you know that?”

“Exactly, and you’re intrigued by it, so what do you say? Give a guy a chance would you?” He cocked his head to the side eyeing her with those impossible to resist silver dollars sparkling.

“Quinn…What will people think?” The thoughts of her earlier conversation with Mina, inched their way into her brain and played havoc with her unsettled emotions. She could only imagine what she would say.

“You seriously care? Come on, Sydnee, who cares what other people think? I don’t.”

“Clearly. But, it’s not that easy.” She could hear the comments, and she dreaded the looks they’d get walking around together. She’d noticed a few eyes on them that very night in the bistro. He may not have noticed, but she did. And it wasn’t very comfortable to be gawked at like she was doing something wrong.

“Tell me you didn’t have a great time tonight. If you can tell me that, then fine, maybe we don’t have a future together. But I think you know as well as I do, there could possibly be something between us.” His demeanor changed and the serious look on his face gave her pause. He really was interested in pursuing a relationship with her. He had no qualms with the age difference and especially the race difference. If nothing else, she was impressed with his openness.

“I just met you.” It was pretty undeniable. She had a great time with him that night. He was attentive, funny and she truly enjoyed herself on this date more than she had on any date in a long time. She continued to stall but it seemed Quinn had an answer to every front she put up.

“I know people who have known each other for less time and they ended up getting married and having a wonderful life together.”

“You’re insane and very persistent.”

“You have to be when you know there’s something you want that’s worth the fight.” He moved slowly to stand in front of her and adjusted her scarf. When he did, his hand grazed the skin directly below her collarbone and sent a flare of fire through her, warming up areas she’d nearly forgotten existed. “Look, I know there’s an age and race difference and that people may talk. But why should that stop two people from being able to enjoy one another’s company?”

“It shouldn’t, but-”

“But nothing. Sydnee, if you can’t tell by now, I
really
like you. And I just want the chance to get to know you better. Is that so wrong?” She paused, looking at the sincerity in his eyes. Damn, he was beautiful. Denying any kind of chemistry between them was futile. She knew it. There was no other explanation for what she felt when she was with him. They talked about everything from her kids to their families. Quinn was so candid with her and was nothing but an exceptional gentleman. And now, here he stood in front of her with those steely hypnotic eyes and she felt her resolve weaken.

“Uh, well, no, Quinn. That’s really sweet, but why would you want to get involved with an older woman with two children? That’s not fair to you.”

“No, what’s not fair is you punishing me for being born at the wrong time, and for not being the right color. You think I’m young and I can’t handle a mature relationship.”

Sydnee shook her head at his last comment. “That’s not it at all. I don’t have a problem with interracial relationships.”

“Oh really, then what is it?”

Looking down, Sydnee took a deep breath and then looked back at Quinn.

“It’s because I’m afraid, okay? I’m scared.” She might as well be honest with him. Maybe if she told him how she truly felt he would get the hint and back off. Maybe, just maybe he would understand what she was feeling a little better. Hell, maybe she’d understand it herself.

“Scared? Of what…me?”

“Quinn, you scare me. I’m scared of becoming too attached to you and being hurt if things don’t work out.”
Don’t you understand you’ve already gotten underneath my skin?

“Really?” Quinn asked softly, and she could tell he was a little shocked by her response.

“Yes. I married Matt and pretty much had my life planned out. When he walked out on me and our kids, it just, I just—I’m not ready for that kind of heartache again. It nearly killed me when he left and I had to pick up the pieces. I have two kids to raise and I just can’t deal with any more than that.” She hoped he could understand where she was coming from. The hurt she felt when Matt left still lingered in her heart and soul and she just didn’t want to go through it again. The race and age differences were only adding more fuel to the fire.

“Why would you think I would be in this to hurt you?”

“It’s just very hard for me to trust anyone anymore and you have so much to look forward to in life. Why would any man want a ready-made family regardless of his age or race, plus all the baggage I’m carrying? Don’t give up your life and the opportunities you could have.”

“Look, why don’t you let me decide what I may be giving up and what I could be gaining, okay?” Softly, he took her face in his hands, gently lifting her chin to look him in the eyes. Moving closer to her, Quinn bowed his head and kissed her softly on her lips. It was the gentlest and sweetest kiss she’d ever experienced. There was something so pure and right in the way his firm lips pressed against hers and she felt the same flare of fire intensify, warming her against the chilly evening from her head to her feet. Pulling back, he paused, looked into her eyes, relaying his intentions of how serious he was, before he walked down her steps and back to his car. In complete shock, she watched him pull away and touched her fingers to her lips before regaining her composure and walking slowly into the house.

###

“I haven’t done this in ages.” Sydnee giggled as she and Quinn made another lap around the ice rink.

“Doesn’t seem like it. You must have been a professional before,” he laughed as they circled the rink hand in hand. After their movie date, Sydnee finally gave in and decided to go out with Quinn again. He wore her down and ultimately convinced her there was nothing wrong with the two of them hanging out and getting to know one another. She was right, he was persistent and he wasn’t going to give up in his pursuit of getting her to see things his way. That’s why he’d sent her one single flower to work each day with a different reason why they should go out. He wanted to believe the last one he sent was the reason she conceded. It simply said, ‘please’ with a huge smiley face. Now, holding her delicate hand in his as they glided around the ice, he was glad his tenacity paid off. She was beautiful. Inside and out. He’d known that from the first day he’d met her. Listening to her melodic laugh made him want to spend more and more time with her. Her ex-husband was an idiot to let her go.

Obviously, she was enjoying herself because in the small amount of time they’d spent together, he could see her relaxing a little more each time they talked. He’d purposely focused on keeping her laughing and enjoying their time so she wouldn’t even think of Matt and her frustration she had with him being absent from their kids’ lives.

He thought about all of the things they had stuffed into a short amount of time. They had gone to lunch again, and he’d even convinced her to go with him to another club to go dancing and she had been pleasantly surprised at how great of a dancer he really was. He had even flipped the situation on her and joked about how he knew he had shocked her with how much rhythm he had.

“Not bad for a white guy huh?”

“You do move pretty well for a white guy,” she laughed along with him.

“Well, thanks. I hope you can keep up,” he joked and she nearly spit out her drink laughing at him.

As they neared the opening to exit the rink, her voice interrupted his runaway thoughts. “So, there’s this party one of my friends is having on Saturday, and I was wondering if maybe you’d like to go.” He watched her starting to worry a hole in her lip from chewing on it, and he only wished he could be the one nibbling on the plump projection as he led her to the benches to remove their skates.
Was she nervous?
      

“A party?
Syd, are you asking me out on a date?” He narrowed his eyes at her and she ducked her head shyly.
Oh wow, she is nervous!

“You really want to make me beg?”

“Oh, no begging is necessary. I just wanted to make sure YOU were asking ME out,” he teased as she stuck her tongue out at him.

“Yes, I AM asking YOU out. So, will you go?”

Tilting his head to the side, Quinn furrowed his brow and shrugged. “Well, I don’t know. I’m not sure what people may think.” He was trying his hardest to keep a straight face knowing he was more than happy to go anywhere with Sydnee.

“Hey!” She smacked his bicep for making fun of her.

“Of course. I’d love to go.” He grinned, and then laughed, putting her out of her misery.

“Good, now help an old lady get these skates off,” she demanded, throwing her legs into his lap for him to untie her skates. “And stop tormenting me.”

“See, us young guys come in handy for some things.” He winked, turning to look at her with a toothy grin before untying the skates.

“Yes, you do.”

###

“Hi,” Sydnee called out as she came through the door to her mother-in-law’s house to pick up the boys.

“Mommy!” Both of the twins screamed, running and tackling her as she entered the house. She didn’t think she would ever get tired of their happiness to see her and it always made her heart swell being greeted with their effervescent energy.

“Hey. Did you have fun with Grammie and Grandpa today?”

“Yeah, Grandpa took us to the store with him and we got Grammie a Christmas present,” Charlie chirped proudly.

“Shhh, Charlie, you weren’t supposed to tell,” Travis chastised his brother.

“Oops,” Charlie placed his hands over his mouth, his eyes wide.

“A present for me?” asked Leanne as she stood to greet Sydnee.

“What’s this about a present?” their grandfather inquired playfully.

“Grandpa, Charlie told,” Travis said, crossing his arms and staring down his little brother, obviously disappointed he had ruined the surprise concerning the present they bought for their grandmother.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to,” Charlie said with tears welling in his eyes. Kneeling in front of him, Sydnee pulled him into her arms.

“Oh honey, it’s okay.”

“Yes, son, it’s already wrapped and she still doesn’t know what it is,” Charles agreed, tousling the little boy’s soft curls.

“See, it’s okay.” Sydnee wiped his eyes and smiled. She kissed him quickly on the cheek and took his hands in hers. “Why don’t you and Travis go and get your coats and things so we can go, all right?”

“Okay,” he murmured as he walked slowly behind his brother to the playroom to retrieve their things.

“Minor meltdown averted,” Leanne offered as Sydnee stood up.

“I know,” Sydnee breathed deeply, following Charles and Leanne into the living room.

“So, how have you been, Sydnee?” Charles asked, sitting in his recliner. “You look different.”

“I do? Good or bad?”

“Yes, I could swear you’re glowing and you look very happy. That’s a very good thing,” he said, and winked.

“I don’t know what it is. I’ve just been working and getting out of the house a little more than I was. Maybe it’s the fresh air.” Sydnee knew what the difference was. Quinn. His twenty-six years of youth were rubbing off on her and breathing new life into her body each second she spent with him. Happiness was practically oozing from her pores, but she wasn’t ready to share the fact she was seeing someone with everyone just yet. Especially her in-laws. It was more than a little awkward. Plus, she wasn’t sure how serious it was. They were just having fun, right?