Seeking Escape

31. A Reenactment

*** Quinn's POV ***

My mind has been unable to focus since that exchange on the boat. I told Joyce that I loved her and she laughed and dismissed me. This wasn't a fucking joke.

Thankfully, Cynthia stole our attention as she gushed over how sorry she was and promised to be more sensitive in the future. Joyce was, of course, gracious with Cynthia but I sensed a kernel of doubt had been planted. I needed to rip that shit out and bury that idea for good.

Joyce was good for me. I needed her to see that. But how?

By the time we got back to shore, Cynthia had weaseled more plans with Joyce. She was trying at least. And Val was Val, calm and doting. Joyce was comfortable enough to accept hugs and kisses from them before we left.

We were pretty quiet as I drove us back to the house. Our fingers were intertwined but we both seemed to be in our own headspace. I mindlessly pulled into a Mexican eatery.

"Mmm. You read my mind." Joyce muttered. Thank God, I finally did something right by her today.

We sat across from each other with overly-sized menus. The waiter had a hard time keeping his eyes off her tits, which signaled like a beacon because she was sunburnt. When he brought her overly-sized margarita, there was an extra sidecar of tequila. She giggled and he winked at her.

I wasn't threatened. I liked seeing her get attention and not feeling awkward about it. She peered at me around her giant fucking drink and whispered loudly. "Did you secretly ask him to get me drunk?"

"No, I think that's his own plot. I much prefer you sober, maybe just slightly tipsy." I acknowledged.

"Is that all you're drinking?" She lifted an eyebrow at my beer.

"One of us has to drive home." I retorted.

She smiled and tilted the shot glass, watching the clear liquid move. "I can't think about tequila shots without thinking about the last time that I enjoyed them."

"That's a good memory. I also recall the aftermath." Which I also remember fondly because it led to me staying with her that first night.

She pushed the shot away and instead sipped from the margarita. "Yeah."

We continued chatting, mostly superficial stuff. I asked whether she was truly comfortable going for a spa day with Cynthia. She shrugged. "As long as I don't have to get naked or be blindfolded, I think I can handle it. Kay and I have gone for manis and pedis. Plus, I can go through it with my therapist. I probably would have been better today if I had known in advance."

I feel guilty again. "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry that I suck at being spontaneous. Honestly, I kind of miss it because I used to be before."

"Maybe your therapist could teach me the guided visualization exercises that you do and we can practice together and see if we can work toward more spontaneity." I suggested.

She smiled at me and collected some salt from the rim with her pointer finger. I watched with bated breath as her lips close around her finger. My cock surged to life. She doesn't even realize how sexy she is.