Free Knock Me Off My Feet by Susan Donovan

did her heart become such an empty, awful place? It wasn't right that she felt so disconnected when other people had so much … what was all this she was looking at? Belonging? Family? Love?
    She'd always known she was different somehow, but standing here in front of these faces made the truth so obvious it was laughable.
    Audie was alone. She always had been.
    The tears came in earnest, and she bent her face to the panty hose and let her shoulders shake.
    She caught a slight movement out of the corner of her eye and saw Quinn at the bottom of the stairs, watching her, his face pulled tight with concern.
    She shook her head and started down the steps, waving her hand dismissively. "I'm fine. I'm sorry for crying."
    He pulled out a crisp white handkerchief from his pants pocket and waited for her to reach him. With great gentleness, he dabbed at her tears and then handed her the folded cloth. Quinn placed a hand at the small of her back and bent his lips to her ear.
    "I know we're not the prettiest bunch on earth," he whispered musically, "but I believe you're the first that's been driven to tears at the sight of us."
    She laughed a bit and leaned against him, feeling his arm come around her. Quinn had removed his tie and rolled up his shirtsleeves, and his bare forearm rested warm against her exposed skin.
    "Let's eat, OK, Homey?"
    She nodded, still wiping at the tears, as he led her into the kitchen.
    It was perhaps the most delicious omelet she'd ever eaten—light but rich with cream cheese, onions, green peppers, and mushrooms. He'd made rye toast, too, and orange juice. The meal raised her blood sugar, and her mood, dramatically.
    When they were done, Quinn sat back and watched Audie pad around his kitchen in her bare feet, happily scrubbing pans and wiping the countertops, chattering all the while. Apparently, she did know how to clean a kitchen when the need arose, and the fact lightened his heart.
    He enjoyed seeing her turn and spin and pivot on those smooth, uncovered legs. He smiled appreciatively when she bent over to fill the dishwasher. When she stood up, he could see the slight swell of her belly against the snug dress, and he wanted to run his hands across her there. He noticed the bone and muscle move in her ankles and soft-looking feet, and he wanted to put his hands on her there, too.
    She turned to him suddenly, holding a small box in her hand. Her dark eyes were huge. "Quinn?"
    He winced, then shrugged in defeat. "I'm busted."
    Audie let out a delighted laugh as she flipped through the categories. "'Auto,' 'Home Maintenance,' 'Household Organization,' 'Laundry,' 'Stains,' 'Thrifty Tips' … ?" Her mouth fell open.
    Quinn rose from his seat at the kitchen table and sauntered toward her. He gently took the box from her hands, closed the lid, and placed it back on the countertop. In doing so, he'd managed to reach across her body and pin her to the cabinets.
    "It was my mother's." He pulled back just a bit, his eyes moving from her gaze to her fabulously full lips. "She was your biggest fan."
    "You mean my mother's biggest fan, don't you?" Audie struggled to raise her wineglass in the narrow space between them and took a sip.
    "I've always liked the column, too."
    Audie grinned, then politely pushed past him into the middle of the room. She looked around his house again—charming, organized, clean, and comfortable. Her eyes fell to the gleaming floors.
    "Damp mopped with two tea bags per quart of water, Quinn?"
    He nodded.
    "Wow."
    "Yeah, my brothers think I'm a freak."
    "Well, you are!" She laughed at him, suddenly spinning around to examine the spice rack over the stove. "Aha! Alphabetized! I knew it!"
    He shrugged.
    "The CDs, too?"
    "Yes."
    "Could I please look in your freezer?"
    "Be my guest."
    So what if she was giggling at the sight of his labeled and dated Tupperware containers and freezer bags? He got to stare at her sweet, round butt as she did so.
    "Oh, my God!" Audie slammed the freezer door and