“We’re here. This is my home.” Quinn led Julian into a house that was built by hand. It has a yard too. Julian knew where the Crawfords lived. In fact, he had done his homework on his future in-laws. The Crawfords were not super wealthy in Summervale, but their family gym was well-known. Still, the Crawfords were more well-off than most families. They owned the house on the street and a few properties elsewhere. The Crawfords bought the land for Power Fitness. Dave, Quinn’s father, planned to leave the family home to the firstborn son as his son could take over managing the gym. The other properties would be split between his youngest and Quinn. If Dave could make enough money for another property, he would buy another piece of land and build his own house. That way, he would have more properties to share among his children and benefit from the rental income.The Crawfords’ house was wider than the neighbors'. There was an arbor covered in flowers at the front door, wh

Zoey was disappointed, but she quickly regained her spirits. She told her daughter, “I bet Julian is single, Quinn. Whether or not he joins our gym, you can make an effort to get to know him and see if there's a connection.” Dumbfounded, Quinn said, “Mom, Mr. Bucham is a CEO. He drives multi-million-dollar fancy cars. I bet the bar is set high, and I don’t come close to his expectation of an ideal woman. Besides, I don’t want to marry into money.“Also, he’s a lot older than me. He’s thirty-five and at least ten years older than me. In a few more years, he could pass for my father.” Zoey poked Quinn’s head and replied, “Don’t talk like he’s your father’s age. Will is older than you by eight years. Julian is around Will’s age anyway, with about two, three years of age gap.“Plus, Julian looks younger than Will. I would’ve thought he’s in his early twenties.”Quinn said amusedly, “Mom, he’s just here to join our gym. Just keep this between us, and don’t talk about it again. Peop

“Ms. Crawford, please don’t feel obliged to bring out a lot of food.” Julian smiled. Quinn smiled. “I’m not bringing out much. Just some fruit and snacks. My mom hasn’t finished cooking. You must be hungry after a long journey here. You should have something to tide you over. “Have a chat with Mr. Bucham, Dad. I’ll help Mom in the kitchen,” Quinn said and returned to the kitchen. Julian looked at Quinn’s receding back and raved about her to Dave. “Ms. Crawford is a kind and talented woman. She is beautiful, and a skilled fighter. She handles herself well and would make a good wife. You have raised her well, sir.”Dave replied with a smile, “You’re too kind, Julian. Quinn is a good kid.” In fact, Dave loved it when people complimented his daughter. “I heard from my daughter that you would like to enroll in our gym. How old are you now, Julian?” After an exchange of pleasantries, Dave cut to the chase. Julian answered, “I know I’m a little old to start learning the art

A while later, Dave answered, “Quinn is an adult. She’s free to go wherever she wants. All we are expecting as parents is that she lets us know where she goes.“We have no problem if she wants to go to the wedding.”Dave was not worried about anything happening to his daughter. He was happy enough so long as his daughter stayed out of trouble. However, people might get the wrong idea about Quinn and Julian’s relationship if they were to attend Zachary’s wedding together. Quinn was twenty-four years old. His wife often nagged him about pulling Quinn into self-defense. Now, Quinn had muscles that scared off potential suitors, and she had no takers. Dave did not stop Quinn from attending Zachary’s wedding with Julian. It was great for his daughter to see the world and broaden her horizons. Julian smiled. “You’re an open-minded parent, sir.” Dave grinned and asked Julian to enjoy the fruit and snacks. Julian tasted the fruits and stayed away from the snacks. A car pulled up

Quinn put down her bag of mozzarella sticks and went to fetch her father a bottle of good wine and a few wine glasses. Dave poured Julian a full glass and asked, “Do you drink?” “Dad, Mr. Bucham has to socialize for business, so he has to drink,” Quinn replied on behalf of Julian. Julian smiled. “Alcohol and business go hand-in-hand, but I don’t usually drink a lot. Two glasses is my limit for beer, and I can handle a glass of liquor. I won’t let myself go wasted. It’s not good for my health, and anything can happen.” “That’s good, Julian. You must know your limit when it comes to drinking,” Zoey praised him. Julian’s face beamed. He had a good understanding of the Crawfords’ individual personalities. If Julian’s close friends were there, they would roll their eyes at Julian’s statement. There was no way Julian would stop at two beers. Julian had lied through his teeth. It would take more than two glasses of beer to take Julian down. Besides, beer was not Julian’s u