Book 2: Chapter 3
When Tenn pulled up to the house and parked in Quinn’s driveway, Viks got out of the car slowly, looking apprehensive. “What are we doing here?”
This is Quinns house
tch “She looked around 1 must be confused, I thought my co–worker lived here, but it must be another house”
“Huh” Tenn smiled to himself. This is the address she gave me “He walked up to the door and rang the bell. A minute later, Quinn opened the door, wearing an adorable knee–length green sundress with a pink floral pattern, empire waist, and bell sleeves that perfectly showed off her gorgeous figure She smiled at him warmly, looking absolutely delighted to see him.
“Tenn Hi She stepped back so they could come in
“Hey Quinn. This is my wife, Viki Tenn introduced them, watching closely to see if Viki showed any sign of recognition. She might have slightly widened her eyes, but he couldn’t be sure. She was definitely very nervous though
“Lovely to meet you” Quinn smiled politely and gestured for them to come in. “My husband is in the living room. Right through here.” She strategically stepped back so Viki went through the arch first, following with Tenn behind her.
“Joel?” She spoke and watched as he looked over from the baseball game on TV, saw Viki, and the colour drained from his face. “This is Tenn and his wife Viki” Joel and Viki just stared at each other, dumbfounded Do you two know each other?”
“Yeah We work together” Joel recovered. “Viki is the new receptionist at the dealership”
“Yes“Viki sad faintly.
“Oh, excellent! This makes things so much better” Quinn said brightly as she walked over and took Joel’s arm. He looked down at her and smiled nervously “This is Tern Tenn, my husband, Joel” They shook hands and said hello. 1 just have a few things to take care of in the kitchen, so come through, and we’ll have a glass of wine before we eat”
She led the way to the kitchen, the atmosphere was tense and awkward, but Quinn sounded like she was in the middle of a great dinner party. “1 made homemade spaghetti and meatballs with a garlic bread loaf and Caesar salad. I hope that’s okay with everyone.”
“Sounds and smells wonderful Quinn Tenn said brightly, emulating her attitude. “You didn’t have to go through so much trouble. The kitchen was wärm, bright, and cheerful, with creamsicle orange walls and terracotta floor tiles. The cupboards were dark teal, and the counters were dark wood grain with resin. It was clearly set up for large, informal gatherings, with a large round table in an oversized glass breakfast nook.
“No trouble at all. I love to cook. I make a monthly dinner for the staff at the library, most of them are students working part–time and living away from home, so getting a home–cooked meal every now and then makes them feel less homesick.” She smiled as she took the lid off the spaghetti sauce and quickly stirred it “Just have to put the loaf in the oven to melt the cheese and cook the pasta, and we can eat. Joel, would you mind handling the drinks please?”
“Yeah, no problem” Tenn noticed his smile was very forced. “We have a couple of bottles of wine, but I can make a drink at the bar too, I know Quinn will have wine, Tenn?”
“Wine sounds great” Tenn nodded. He watched Quinn move around the kitchen, calm and confident in her space and tried to siphon some of it to him. He kind of wanted to punch Joel in the throat and was struggling to speak with him. Realizing Viki hadn’t said a word. He looked to see her frozen in the doorway “Come in and sit down Vik.” He gestured at the stool next to him. She shook her head and forced a smile as she came in.
“Sorry, I’m just surprised, that’s all. Joel had painted you as more of a free–spirited hipple/bohemian woman, not quite so domesticated.” She met Joel’s eyes reproachfully as he poured the wine, and Tenn noted that he hadn’t asked her what she would want, just poured her a glass of red wine. “Oh?” Quinn laughed lightly. 1 am the head librarian in the Visual Arts Resource Library at Boston University, and I paint and like to dress a little hippish, I guess I’m probably not as domestic as he would like. That whole stay–at–home wife thing was never something I wanted to do.”
1 was raised to believe the men look after their wives; what can I say?” Joel shrugged as he passed out the wine. “Men work and make money, and their wives look after the home”
“Tenn believes women should contribute,” Viki said a little snarkily.
“Yes, if someone wants to be a stay–at–home wife, they should contribute by keeping the house clean, cooking meals, and making it easier for the husband to work more to fund them both” He rolled his eyes. Especially if there are no children to look after”
“Exactly Joel nodded, sounding surprised that Tenn had that view.
“And if she wants to work and help contribute financially, then the husband helps contribute to the household chores. Tern continued. “Nothing should fall one hundred percent on either spouse. It’s supposed to be a partnership.”
1 agree“Quinn smiled at Tenn as she began pulling out plates.
Book 2 Cheater 3
Do you need a hand?” Tenn asked. It was clear Joel wasn’t going to help; he was sitting at the end of the island snacking on the grapes in the fruit bowl
Um Sure could you pull the garlic loaf out of the oven please?” Quinn nodded and gave him a smile of thanks as she put a strainer in the sink and grabbed the pot of pasta to drain
“No problem” He got up and came around the island. Her kitchen was very intuitive, and he found the oven mitts immediately. They moved easily around each other like they had been doing this for years. “Did you make this from scratch as well?”
“Yep. And the pasta too.” She smiled and began plating and carrying things over to the glassed–in nook off the kitchen. “I only use the dining room for holidays, so we’ll eat here”
“This isn’t the dining room?” Tenn chuckled.
“It’s an enlarged breakfast nook” Joel came in carrying the wine. I went away to a conference for a week and came back to this.” He shook his head. “You got this done in a week? Tenn looked around in amazement as they sat down. “Who was your contractor?”
Quinn laughed. “My twin brother is Quill Turner.”
