It was more statement than question, but Daniella clearlyexpected a response. What she couldn’t tell was if Daniella was trying to makeconversation or preparing an offensive. “I did. Even without how nice it’s beento get to know your mom, I would have been thrilled to take the job. It’s afantastic space.”
The smirk softened into a half smile and she nodded. “I like thenew layout you came up with. It’s much better than Mom’s idea.”
“The original idea was nice, just not feasible without a massivecost.” She hoped that came out as diplomatically as she intended.
Amanda pulled a bottle of wine from the fridge. “I think we canall agree your design is better no matter what. Wine?”
She’d hesitated to bring a bottle, not wanting to send the wrongmessage, but she wasn’t about to turn down a glass. “Sure.”
“Daniella?”
“Yes, please.” Daniella turned her attention back to Quinn. “I’mnot twenty-one yet, but Mom lets me drink wine at home so I’m less tempted toget hammered at parties.”
Given the delivery, she decided to take a chance. “Does it work?”
Daniella straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. “Ihaven’t gotten hammered yet.”
Amanda handed Quinn a glass first, then Daniella. She gaveDaniella a kiss on the forehead. “And I appreciate you saying that, even ifit’s not true.”
“Cross my heart.” She made the gesture, then shrugged. “Who hastime for hangovers?”
Cal opened the fridge and pulled out a Pepsi. “Spoken like a truenerd.”
“Yeah, ’cause you’re such a party animal.”
“I can be. I just don’t like wine.” He curled his lip.
She took it as a good sign they were antagonizing each other infront of her. It meant they were comfortable. Amanda didn’t look quite asamused, but instead of scolding, she made them set the table.
To their credit, they didn’t grumble at all. It must be a chorethey were used to. Quinn respected that as much as Amanda’s take on alcoholconsumption.
They stood at the kitchen island around a platter of antipastiand focaccia. She learned about Cal’s job at Rustic Refined and his plans tostudy environmental engineering at Cornell, Daniella’s decision to work as acounselor at a music camp for disadvantaged kids instead of trying for aposition in a lab or at a hospital. By the time they sat down to chicken parm,Quinn was thoroughly charmed. Even if Daniella still seemed to be reservingjudgment.
“Do you have kids?” Cal asked.
The question seemed more casual than a fishing expedition, maybebecause it came from Cal. “None of my own. My ex-wife never wanted them. I’vegot two nephews around your age, though, and a niece who’s six.”
“Do they live close?” Daniella asked.
“They do. I’ve been lucky to be part of their lives since theywere born.”
“Cool.” Cal nodded affably.
“Jacob is going to be a sophomore at Cornell, and Adam is goinginto his senior year.”
Cal’s eyes lit up at the mention of Cornell. “What’s Jacob’smajor?”
“Well, he started with architecture, but I have a feeling hemight change to English.”
“Whoa.” Cal seemed alarmed by such a dramatic shift.
Amanda didn’t miss a beat. “It’s okay to change your mind.”
A lot of parents would balk at the idea of their kid switchingfrom a professional program to something in the humanities, especially at aschool like Cornell. She liked that Amanda wasn’t one of those parents.
“If you want, I can give you Jacob’s number. I’m sure he’d behappy to share some of the things he wished he’d known.”
Cal smiled with genuine enthusiasm. “That would be awesome.”
The rest of the meal passed in a blur. Dinner gave way to coffeeand dessert—the ice cream she’d brought scooped onto the most amazing berrycrumble she’d ever put in her mouth. The hardest part was trying to divide herattention equally between Daniella and Cal, without ignoring Amanda completely.Easier said than done.
Cal seemed to like her. Whether it had more to do with actuallyliking her or his easygoing personality, she couldn’t be sure. But she couldeasily imagine spending time with him, even without Amanda around. Daniella wasa tougher nut. Reserved, but like Cal, it was hard to tell if it was her personalityor something specific to Quinn. Or maybe more accurately, Quinn’s relationshipwith her mother. Still, the whole evening went smoothly and even Daniella wasthoroughly polite. For a first meeting, she’d take it.
Amanda set the kids to doing dishes and walked Quinn to the door.“Thank you for coming.”
“I should be the one thanking you. Dinner was, once again,incredible. And it was great to meet your kids.”
Amanda rolled her eyes but smiled. “They can be overwhelming atfirst. Cal because he’s sweet but a chatterbox. Daniella because she’sconvinced she’s an adult who has everyone and everything figured out.”
The descriptions were so on point, Quinn couldn’t help but laugh.“They clearly adore you. I expected an interrogation, so I was prepared formuch worse. They’re great.”
“Interrogation, huh?” Amanda raised a brow.
“You know what I mean. I hope they weren’t just pretendingbecause of good manners. You’ll have to tell me if they secretly hated me.”
“Stop.”
Quinn shrugged. “Kidding. Mostly.”
“Not that it was a test, but you did great.”
She might say that, but Quinn knew perfectly well it was a test.Amanda was not the kind of woman to keep someone in her life her kids hated.And to be honest, she wouldn’t want to date a woman where that sort of tensionwas constantly there. “I give myself a solid B, but I’m going to keep workingfor the A.”
Amanda folded her arms.
“Again, kidding.” She couldn’t resist adding a wink this time.“Mostly.”
Amanda shook her head. “You’re as bad as they are.”
“Tonight, I’m going to take that as a compliment.”
She laughed. “Text me when you get home?”
“Absolutely.” Once again, she kissed Amanda on the cheek, eventhough she wanted more.
Amanda put a hand on her arm and leaned back in. The second kisswas brief, but having Amanda’s lips on hers sent a tingle of pleasure down herspine. She let out a contented sigh.
Amanda opened the front door. “I’ll see you soon?”
Quinn stepped onto the front porch but turned back to look atAmanda. “Name the day.”
Amanda nodded. “Have a good night.”
She offered a parting wave. “You, too.”
* *
