“Don’t push your luck,” Quin teased back. “What about you? Any Friday night street orgies?”
Trilling laughter came through the phone, and Quin couldn’t stop her responding smile. “Not that I got invited to. Krul is stopping by for dinner andThe Bachelor, and we always go out for breakfast in the morning. He loves pancakes.”
A pang of jealousy shot through her, but she banished it. It was her own fault that Krul was the one keeping Glyma fed instead of her. She could be the one going over for dinner andThe Bachelor—whatever that was—and pancakes the next morning. It was her own cowardly fault.
“Sounds fun,” Quin said, and Glyma hummed.
“Saturday afternoon I scheduled a viewing of the location in Purgatory.”
Quin dropped her pen. “What? Why didn’t you lead with that? That’s wonderful.”
“I’m nervous. I have the list Waryn sent, so I know I’m prepared.” Glyma paused and Quin heard the shuffle of puzzle pieces as she poured more out onto the table. “Will you and Waryn come with me? I can pay his fee if he wants to be there in a professional capacity, but—”
“Of course, we’ll come. Well, I will definitely be there, at least. I need to check with Waryn, but I’m sure he would love to. Half the time, it feels like he is more invested in Purgatory than we are—you are. Sorry.”
Glyma laughed softly. “You can claim a bit of investment. You’ve done so much to make it a reality.”
“It’syourdream,” Quin said.
“And you’re helping me make it happen. Even now.”
“I just want you to be successful.”
A beat of silence passed.
“I know you called the bank for me, Quin,” Glyma said, not angrily, but there was an edge to her voice, and Quin’s stomach dropped. “When Geryld called to set up my interview appointment, he said he spoke with you.”
“I wasn’t meddling,” Quin lied, but it was only a white lie! “I had to speak to Geryld about several other matters. I simply asked if he’d reviewed your application. That’s all.”
More silence.
“I don’t want your family name anywhere near this,” Glyma said firmly, and Quin flinched. “I know that sounds harsh, but I can’t owe them anything, not with who they are and what they do.”
“I know—”
“They cause harm. They do real damage in the community. Inmycommunities. Sometimes, people die, and just because they didn’t pull the trigger doesn’t mean they aren’t responsible.”
“I know,” Quin whispered.
“Please tell me you didn’t… sway him.”
Quin shifted the phone to her other ear and shook her head. “I didn’t. I knew saying you were my friend would speed the process along, but I didn’t do or say anything to compel him to approve your loan or anything. Nothing like that. I simply mentioned your name, I swear.
“I would never put you on my family’s radar like that. I would never risk your livelihood or your dream. Not to mention, my parents knowing about you means they would know about me.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “And if you can’t trust my loyalty to you, at least trust my cowardly self-preservation.”
Glyma’s exhale turned to static in Quin’s ear. “I do trust you, Quin. But, please, don’t call any more banks.”
“Okay. I’m sorry.”
“I forgive you.” Glyma sighed heavily. “But if you come Saturday, don’t mention your last name. Maybe the realtor won’t recognize you.”
“I will be on my best behavior,” Quin promised, and Glyma snorted.
“That’s the problem, half the time.”
Quin tutted. “Well, one of us has to be well-behaved.”
“Misbehaving is much more fun,” Glyma sing-songed.
