Cammie said she’d left to see her friend London. I knew Silver was worried about her.
But Cammie also said Silver had planned to only go for a few days.
Yet she still hadn’t returned.
Quinn had been communicating with her via email.
What if … what if she didn’t come back?
What if she sold the B and B once it was renovated and decided to stay in New York? To be near London.
To get away from me.
There was that crawling, tight feeling traveling up my chest again.
Fucking panic.
Not like me at all.
“Nice day. Cold, but nice.”
I glanced over my shoulder to find Quinn behind me. I grunted and looked back out at the water. I was warm from working inside. The brittle air over the sound was a welcome reprieve.
“Out here brooding? Again?”
“I don’t fucking brood.”
“Mate, you’ve been brooding since Silver got attacked.” Quinn crouched to pet Akiva, and my dog basked in the attention, her eyelids lowering comically. At this angle, she almost looked like she was smiling.
“Since when did Akiva like you this much?” I changed the subject.
“Akiva’s always loved me. I have a way with the ladies,” Quinn joked. “Stop avoiding the question.”
“You didn’t ask a question.”
“All right, stop avoiding the subject.”
I didn’t answer. Just gave Akiva one more scratch and a kiss on the nose before I stood. “I better get back to work.”
“You’re worried she’s not coming back.” Quinn stood too.
At my stony silence, my friend sighed.
“Ramsay …I’mworried she’s not coming back.”
There was that fucking panic again.
“I’m not worried for me, though I like her and we’ll all miss her.” My friend took a step toward me. “I’m worried for you.”
“Quinn—”
“I know it’s not easy to admit when you care about someone. Especially for someone like you. But take it from me, mate … it’s not worth the lifetime of regret.”
My gaze sharpened on my friend and business partner. On the pain I saw in his expression.
His sincerity was uncomfortable, but I gave him my attention as he continued. “A long time ago, I let pride and fear get in my fucking way. I didn’t fight for what I wanted. For who I wanted. And while I wouldn’t change having Heather and Angus, there is this regret that hangs over everything now. Knowing that I fucked up so badly with Taran. It was there long before she ever came back. What I felt for her fucked up my marriage. Because I married the wrong woman. And now I can’t have the right one ever again. She’s gone for me.” Quinn swallowed hard and looked out at the water, visibly fighting back emotion. “Wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy. So, I certainly don’t want that for you, McRae.”
Fuck.
