“Quinn.”
Her grandmother nodded. “She’s been…reserved lately.”
“I noticed the same. I was going to talk to her but haven’t gotten around to it,” Morgan said. “Has Brett mentioned noticing?”
“No. I think he’s become so preoccupied with making sure Tristan is settling in, their relationship may have drifted to the wayside. Although I could be reading her wrong, I’ve been around Quinn enough and gotten to know her moods.”
“You’re not wrong.” Morgan absentmindedly jabbed a chunk of ice with her drink straw. “She probably needs a sympathetic ear. In the past, I would’ve been the first person she would have vented to.”
“But seeing how you’re Brett’s sister, she views you as having a conflict of loyalty and doesn’t want to drag you into the middle.”
“Yep.”
Elizabeth grew quiet, mulling over the situation. “Perhaps if you brought it up during a casual conversation, in a way she didn’t feel like she was being put on the spot.”
Morgan pulled her wallet from her purse. She flipped it open and rifled through the stack of gift cards she’d gotten for Christmas until she found the one she was looking for. She held it up. “This little gem right here you gave me for Christmas will work perfectly. Quinn has the afternoon off. I’ll send her a quick text.”
Her friend promptly replied that she was cleaning house.
With a few back and forths and a brief phone call to schedule an appointment, Morgan arranged to meet Quinn at the designated location. “It’s all set. I’ll have enough time to take Chester home and still make it back to town for a special date day with my bestie.”
Chapter 4
“This is pure bliss.” Morgan sighed, relaxing her shoulders as the massage therapist rubbed her temples using lavender and wild orchid oil.
“I can’t remember the last time I visited a spa,” Quinn murmured.
“It was back when we lived in Florida.”
“Grandmother knows how to pick out the most amazing gifts.” Morgan leaned her head back and closed her eyes. “After the crazy holiday we had, we deserve it.”
“It was a whirlwind. The blizzard, my parents’ visit, the open house. A shocking whirlwind.”
Quinn had given Morgan the perfect opening. “Because of Tristan and Jeff Blakely?”
“I…yes. It’s been an adjustment.”
“Which is an understatement. A major change for all of us, but I’m sure especially for you.” Morgan motioned to the masseuse. “Do you mind if we have a minute alone?”
“Of course not.” The pair who had been pampering the friends, discreetly excused themselves, leaving the women alone.
Morgan shifted to face her friend, and her heart plummeted. Despite the calming massage, Quinn’s expression was a mixture of sadness mingled with defeat. “Are you okay?”
“I’m struggling.”
“With Tristan,” Morgan said softly.
“NotwithTristan because he seems like a great kid. The problem is that I feel like…” Quinn’s voice faded.
“You’re not sure how you fit into Brett’s life now. He’s focusing his attention on his son, trying to help him adjust.”
“Yes. I hate to admit it because it makes me sound selfish, but I feel like the odd man…odd woman out.”
Morgan let her legs dangle over the side of the table. Placing both elbows on her knees, she gave her closest friend her undivided attention. “Tristan showing up on Easton Estate’s doorstep was a curveball to rival all curveballs.”
“You can say that again.”
“It’s been an adjustment for all of us—you, Brett, Tristan, Grandmother, me. Even the Easton Estate staff. This is merely my two cents, but I think if we focus on taking it a day at a time, it won’t seem so overwhelming.”
