“Girls are crazy,” Callan mutters, but he’s smiling.
“Did you message Lyn?” I ask.
“Nope.” Gwen juts her chin out. “Not going to either. Why would I?Ididn’t do anything wrong.”
“What is going on with you two?” I inquire, shifting around, the leather on the seat squelching with the movement.
Gwen sighs heavily. “I wasn’t going to say anything. I don’t want to drag you into the middle of it.”
“So, something did happen while I was in Sweden?”
Gwen chews on the corner of her lip. “If I tell you, you have to promise to keep it between us. That goes for you, too, Callan.”
“No need to spill confidences now, Gemma. Save it for work, and that way I can deny all knowledge.”
“My name is Gwen,” she hisses through gritted teeth with a face like thunder.
“Shit. Sorry.” Callan furiously backtracks. “You remind me of a girl from my old school. Gemma had the same long dark hair and big blue eyes. Honestly, the resemblance is uncanny, but it’s no excuse. Promise it won’t happen again,Gwen.”
I’m guessing Callan has some history with this Gemma, and a surge of jealousy punches me in the chest.
“You’re forgiven.” She squeezes his arm. “Sorry for being touchy. A hangover and multiple lectures have put me in a terrible mood. I swear I’m not usually like this.”
“It’s grand, Gwen. No need to apologize.”
“You’re a nice guy, Callan Hunt.”
“Don’t go spreading that around.”
“Your secret is safe with me.”
They share a grin before Callan takes a right, driving through the gates that lead to the resort.
“Lyn hit on me,” Gwen blurts, and my eyes almost bug out of my head.
“What?” I am truly shocked.
“I know. I couldn’t believe it.” Gwen looks down at her lap. “We were hanging out more when you were away, and it was fun, but if I’d known she’d misinterpret things, I would never have spent extra time with her. She said she’s had feelings for me for a while. I tried to let her down gently, but she didn’t handle the rejection well, and now things are super uncomfortable, and I don’t know what to do. I feel like we’re causing a rift in our friend group.”
“Why didn’t you tell me the second I came home?” I ask as Callan drives toward the hotel entrance, listening but not getting involved.
“You had just lostMormor. You had enough on your plate, and I didn’t want you to feel like you had to pick sides.”
“I’m so shocked. Lyn knows you’re straight. I can’t believe she did that.” Honestly, the friendship between Lyn and Gwen has always been a bit contentious. They bicker a lot, and Lyn hasn’t hidden the fact she dislikes certain things about Gwen. Perhaps that was all an attempt to hide or ignore the attraction she felt for her.
“Neither did I. I mean, what did she hope to achieve by saying it? She knows I love the D. All she’s done is make things awkward for everyone.”
Callan kills the engine. Gwen turns to face him. “You can’t tell anyone any of that, please.”
“These lips are sealed. I promise.”
“Thanks.” She turns to me. “You cannot tell her I told you. You need to act like you don’t know. Please. I just want to forget the whole thing, and I only told you ’cause you asked.”
Hopefully, it will blow over in time. It’s probably too raw right now. Poor Lyn. She must be hurting, and I wish I could talk to her, maybe help, but I don’t want to put myself in the middle. Nikki is right. We need to stay out of it and let them figure it out themselves. I’d hate to have to choose between two of my friends, but if it comes down to it, I would side with Gwen. “I won’t say a word,” I promise, opening the door and getting out.
“Thanks for the ride, Callan.” Gwen smiles. “You’re a star.”
“Anytime.” He looks over her head as she scoots down out of the cab behind me. “I’ll pick you up at eight, Astrid.”
