Page 6 of Havenfall Harbor
“Well…” She pauses. “Don’t be too surprised if we act a little differently.”
“What do you mean?” I swipe my hands down my thighs.
“Just that, here, we’re all comfortable, we’re home. At school or out there,” Alice gives a slight nod to the side, “we’re more careful, orlessourselves.” She tips her chin down.
“Good, that’s what I want for you guys all the time. I want you to be comfortable enough to be yourselves wherever you are.”
Alice’s eyes go a little wide before she turns and mutters, “Careful what you wish for, Quinn.”
I swallow and step up beside her. The noise from the dining room falls like a rolling wave to a whisper. Alice doesn’t even slow her stride as she moves toward what can only be described as a cafeteria line, but I’ve never seen anything like it.
“If you get here too late, all the good stuff is gone. Hey, John, how are you?” Alice grabs a tray, greeting the man standing on the other side of the line. “This is Quinn, our new liaison.”
“Hi.” My voice comes out light and airy. John is gaping at me, much like the rest of the room is. It takes everything in me not to tense my shoulders. Instead, I reach out my hand in an offer to shake his.
John’s brows fall as he glances down at my outstretched hand. It’s only then I notice my arm is out over the buffet line of food. I snap my hand back to my side. It’s then I notice John’s hands are covered in a pair of light blue gloves. “Sorry.” He shrugs his heavy shoulders.
My face heats. “No, I wasn’t thinking.”
“What can I get you?” John looks over at Alice, but his eyes dart back to me.
“What’s left?” Alice peers over all the options.
“The roast beef is gone, but I have everything else.” John reaches for a large knife near a half-carved turkey and a crosscut ham.
The noise level behind us picks up a little until it reaches a low whisper. I’m painfully aware of every breath I take as I follow Alice through the line, just taking things in as I go. Why do I feel like I’m back at high school on the first day of my freshmen year? The nerves I thought I was long over fill my stomach, until it feels as if I have a nest of butterflies taking flight in my gut.
I look around the room, but I’m not really seeing much more than bodies and furniture. I don’t let my gaze stay on any one person long enough to notice their features.
“Hey, Alice,” I hear a man call from a few tables away.
Alice waves to the man and leans closer to me. “Want to sit with us?”
I wave of relief washes over me as a smile blooms on my lips. “I would love to, thank you.”
Alice bumps her shoulder into mine a little and we make our way over to the tables. A man uses his leg to push out one of the chairs and she places her tray on the tabletop. “Thanks.” Alice plops herself down, grabbing a fluffy biscuit. Right before she takes a bite, she says, “This is Quinn Shaw.” Her eyebrows lift as she leans over the table to tear a chunk of her biscuit.
No one else says anything for a long second, then the man who pushed out Alice’s chair clears his throat. “I’m Noah, this is Millie and Rob.”
I take the last empty chair at the table. “Hi, guys, thanks for letting me intrude on your dinner.”
Noah leans back in his seat and studies my face. He has dark hair and even darker eyes. There’s a smattering of short stubble on his jaw and chin that makes him look a little rugged, but it totally works for him. “Not intruding at all. Quinn, huh? I’ve never met a Quinn before.”
“Not quite what I was expecting either.” Alice opens up an apple juice and drinks half of it down in one gulp.
When the table falls quiet again, I glance down at my plate. “So, is this what dinner’s like every night? A girl could get spoiled like this.”
“Meals are not to be missed,” the other guy, Rob pipes up. I turn my focus on him, noting his auburn hair, which many women would kill for, and crystal-clear blue eyes.
“Here’s to the freshman fifteen.” I lift my spoon before digging into my bowl of mashed potatoes. I don’t have much of an appetite, I’m much too nervous and excited, but I need something to do while sitting here and checking everything out.
The noise around us picks back up as everyone at the table begins eating. Millie remains quiet as the others chat about their day. Alice includes me in the conversation, mentioning how I’m on the third floor.
“Makes sense, where’s your office?” Noah asks around a mouthful of food.
I put my fork down and push my still mostly full plate away a little. “I’m not sure yet. I still need to go back over to Wes and see if he has my badge and a schedule for me.”
“Met Wes, have you?” Rob inquires as he sends a wink over to Alice.
