Page 57 of Havenfall Harbor
I swallow. “Yeah.” As we walk away, I struggle to come up with something to say. Should I apologize for being there? Should I just act as if nothing happened? That’s what Evan seems to be doing.
I end up doing the latter. But I find myself searching for anything to say just to break the awkward tension I feel. “Five thirty, huh? That’s early. Do you guys always have your meetings at the crack of dawn?” I close my eyes briefly, wishing I would have just kept my mouth shut.
“It’s shift change. Easiest time to do it, almost everyone will be awake,” Evan explains, not seeming bothered at all.
When we reach the third-floor landing, Evan stops and places his hand on my inner elbow, stopping me as well. “You mentioned Letty.” His eyes search mine.
“I did?” I draw a complete blank. I don’t remember saying anything about her.
“The day in the gym, you said, ‘You and Letty don’t trust me,’ meaning Griffin and Letty. What did you mean by that?”
A flush works its way up my neck at the reminder of the gym incident. “I said that?” I glance away from Evan.
“Yeah.” Evan releases his hold on my arm and waits patiently.
“Sometimes my mouth works faster than my brain,” I admit sheepishly. Evan waits me out, not saying anything else. “It’s not a big deal, I’m probably making something out of nothing.” That’s what I tell him, but it’s not really true. I’m just embarrassed to admit I’ve noticed her cattiness. Hell, I even watched her go to Griffin’s room. Evan and Griffin seem like good friends, and I don’t want to make matters worse by adding to the drama.
But maybe he could help me understand her better. I just watched him and Bill have a little dominance showdown. Maybe I’m doing something that’s unknowingly challenging Letty. I tuck my hair back and lick my lower lip. “I feel so ridiculous even saying this.” I huff.
“Just tell me,” Evan cajoles.
“She doesn’t like me. I could tell from that first day when you gave me a ride up to the manor.” I give him a slight shrug because it’s true. I did know from that first day.
“How could you tell?” Evan leans his hand against the stair railing, a slight smile curling his lips.
“It’s a woman thing.”
Evan bursts out laughing at my statement. “So only women get this sixth sense? Does it work on everyone, or only other women?”
I reach over and swat his arm with the back of my hand. “Shut up, you’re making it sound like I think I have some sort of psychic abilities. That’s not what I meant. And to answer your question, it works best with other women, but I can usually tell if a man doesn’t like me either. I’m just saying, Letty isn’t subtle. The looks, the little comments. It’s not anything I can’t deal with. I was probably just aggravated that day in the gym and her name popped out when I was talking.” Thinking back, I believe that was the same day she caught me leaving the lunchroom.
Evan smooths out his grin. “I’m just messing with you, Quinn. I get what you mean.” We resume walking to the last flight of stairs. “Just so we’re clear, though, she hasn’t done anything more than looks and snide comments?”
“Nah, I kind of respect that she let me know she doesn’t like me. I just don’t know what I did to piss her off. I did see her with Griffin last night, she might not like me because he doesn’t really like me.” Another shrug. Maybe she went over that night I kneed him in the balls, and he told her what happened. I almost smile at the thought, but I don’t.
Evan pauses again. I stop a step above him, and it makes us closer to eye level. “Wait, you think Griff doesn’t like you? NowIam second guessing your womanly sixth sense.” Evan chuckles.
“Well, can you blame me? Griffin Stone is about as mercurial as a Michigan spring. I honestly don’t know if he hates that hedoeslike me, or he just doesn’t like me,” I say, exasperated.
“Now that is an accurate assessment.” Evan nods his head. “Griff doesn’t trust easily, he also has an unfailing sense of responsibility. He makes it hard on himself and others to get close to him.”
“Or figure out which way is up,” I mutter under my breath.
Evan lets out another small chuckle. “Take it from someone who’s known him longer than I care to mention. Griff likes you. Which he hates. He would have already felt responsible for you because you’re here.” Evan lifts his hands a little, indicating Havenfall. “But because he does like you, it makes it even harder on him.”
“I’m not even going to pretend to understand that, but I’ll try to take your word for it.”
“He’s worth it, Quinn. In all my years, I’ve never had a better friend.” Evan turns and starts walking again. I’m a little slow to catch up, his words and the true sentiment behind them giving me pause.
When I reach him, I study Evan’s profile and tease, “So you’re really old, huh?” to lighten the subject.
Evan chuffs out a laugh. “Thanks for the reminder.”
The corridor is empty when we reach the end near Griffin’s and my rooms. I shuffle my feet, unsure what to do. Is he still in there? Does Evan have a key if he isn’t?
Evan solves the problem for me by rapping his knuckles against the door a few times and turning the knob. It opens freely.
“He doesn’t lock the door?” I find myself asking. How will his room be any safer?
