Fate Unchanged (Quinah & Norminah)

Chapter Ten

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QUINCY

It really amused the twenty-nine-year-old how infatuated he was for Dinah in such a short period of time. All he had to do was see her, and the world seemed like a better place. He strode over to the stool he always sat in by the bar, waiting for his girlfriend to acknowledge him once she was done ringing up someone's bill. She was so into her zone as she interacted with her customer. Quincy found it so attractive how she genuinely enjoyed the job she had. It showed in the way she interacted with the people around her – from the customers, to her co-workers. Even with her boss, who Quincy had only seen maybe two or three times since he started coming to Tango more frequently. It was just another sprinkle to add on to the sweetness that was Dinah Jane. His smile grew when she finally saw him, a little startled at how close his face was to hers.

"Hey, you," she greeted bashfully.

"Hey, beautiful," Quincy replied just as softly. "How was your day?"

"Good, as usual. Had a pretty steady stream of people today. Nothing too crazy. What about you?"

"As busy as any other day. Except I got a surprise visit from my dad."

"Oh wow! That's great! Was he able to stay long?"

"Not as long as I wanted him to, but long enough, I suppose. He stopped by on his way to New York to close on a new business deal. I told him about you, by the way."

Dinah's face fell a little, Quincy watching her amusingly.

"What did he say?" she asked nervously.

"He wants to meet you," Quincy smiled, "which is a good sign."

"Does he know I'm a vampire?"

"He does. And trust me, he's cool about it. In our family, we believe that as long you're good people, we'll be cool no matter who you are. He's throwing a family barbeque at the end of next month, and he wants us to come."

"Us?"

"Yeah. You, me, and Adeya. You'll get to meet my brothers, too. I know for a fact they're gonna love you."

Quincy winked at the brunette, putting her at ease since he couldn't do so the way he really wanted to. At least, not in public. When he received a smile in return, he knew that he did his job.

"I'm in. Especially since that means I'll get to meet your daughter."

"Which reminds me! I told her about you, too. Last night when she got home. She's very excited to meet you, to say the least. And yes, she also knows you're a vampire. It didn't faze her at all. Her and I wanted you to spend the weekend with us. Go to the aquarium, hang out..."

"I'd love to!"

The look of sheer joy on the brunette's face confirmed to Quincy that everything was how it should be. While, yes, he was a little worried that his fast-growing feelings for her were causing him to move a little too fast, now he knew that there was nothing to be worried about. Dinah was a keeper, and he was definitely going to put in the work to do just that and more.

"Can I ask you a sort of weird question?" Dinah asked as she began wiping down the countertop.

"Always," Quincy replied. "What's up?"

"Have you...been getting the feeling that you're being followed ever since our date?"

Quincy furrowed his eyebrows as he continued to eye the brunette.

"No, not really. Why? You feel like you're being stalked?"

"Not stalked...though I guess they're kind of one in the same...I don't know. I've just been feeling another presence around besides my own at the most random times. Like right now, I don't have that feeling at all. But there have been times when I'm making my way to my apartment that I feel like someone's watching my every move. It's weird."

"If you feel like you're in some kind of danger, you can stay with me for a while. We may have only gone out once, but I have no problem being overprotective of you."

Dinah giggled before tilting her head.

"You're so sweet," she said. "But I'll be okay. Believe it or not, I do know how to fight."

Quincy's eyebrows shot up as he made a face that expressed his mocked impression.

"Might have to test that out one day," he said, wiggling his eyebrows up and down teasingly.

His heart warmed at the sound of her laugh, joining in with her as she poured him his favorite drink.

"But no, seriously," he said, "if at any time, you feel like you're in some kind of danger, let me know. My house is big enough for a sexy house guest anyway."

"I feel like, after a while, I won't really be considered a house guest anymore."

"Well, if we break my bed in a few more times, I'll definitely have to promote you to my fine ass roommate."

The two continued to flirt with another for a while. Before Quincy knew it, the time had come for him to start heading home. He downed the last sip of his bourbon before setting the glass on top of a fifty-dollar bill. He chuckled when Dinah gave him the side eye like he was insane.

"What?" he asked, feigning ignorance. "I always tip my waitresses."

"But all I did was pour you a drink," she chuckled.

"Gotta give a little extra to my baby," he replied, sending her a wink.

Dinah laughed before playfully shaking her head, putting the bill into her bra.

"I'll be sure to keep this nice and warm for you," she teased.

Quincy hissed before making a show of biting his lip and eyeing the woman's cleavage. He couldn't help but think about the night they slept together for the first time – her sweet nipple in his mouth. Dinah sent him a wink that almost put him to into cardiac arrest. He subtly blew her a kiss, one she planted on her cheek before making her way into the kitchen. Quincy chuckled and headed out to his Harley. On his way home, he couldn't help but have her run around shamelessly in his mind. He already missed her. He was falling hard and fast. But it eased his mind that she was too.