Chapter 17: My first date (I guess)

QUINN

I'd pictured my first date for years, probably since I was ten or eleven. And ever since that time, every time I'd thought of it, Leo had been the guy across the table from me.

The fact that Jake Donavan was in that seat tonight was more than a little disconcerting. Still, if it had to be anyone but Leo, Jake wasn't a bad second choice. He'd been a good friend of mine since we'd met on the newspaper, and I felt comfortable with him. Maybe a little too comfortable; there wasn't the same delicious tension and heat I felt when Leo was near me. Which was crazy, considering how long and how well I'd known Leo.

I'd been a little nervous before he picked me up-which wasn't helped by my mother, who was playing it casual even while I was pretty sure she was taking notes to document 'Quinn's First Date' in my baby book-but all the anxiety evaporated as we drove to the restaurant. Jake was low-key and friendly; he didn't act any different than he did when we were together in school. I