Quinn has hit the mark though.
“You never said anything before,” I say cautiously.
Quinn rolls her eyes. “Relationship mess avoidance 101.”
My confusion must be clear because she continues.
“You were still together, no matter how many times you drowned your sorrows in hot chocolate. I know better than to be vocal about it. However the winds blew, I’d get the short end of it. You’d stop coming by and I’d lose a friendship with a cool girl. This town is too small to afford that.” She gives me another dazzling smile and the wave of gratitude chokes me. I can’t afford it either.
“So, you see. Now I can say how much I hated the way that jerk and the chicken-head trio treated you.”
A bubble of laughter bursts out and lifts the heaviness slumping my shoulders. Her nonsensical attitude gives me a small boost of confidence to look at things as they truly are.
“I didn’t mind it because I loved him and was happy he got along with my friends at first.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, so am I.” He was so good at making me forget those moments. “I forgave him so easily. It’s stupid.”
“What are you going to do about the job? Are you OK? Can I help you with anything?”
The question earns a long-suffering groan from somewhere deep inside me. Everybody is in everyone’s business around here but come on!
Quinn cringes, “I didn’t mean to come on so strong. It sucks, doesn’t it?”
“Oh, no. I’m fine,” I wave her off.What’s the market value for a kidney?“I’m sure I’ll find something soon,” I say with too much confidence for somebody who’s been desperately applying to every listing in a 20-mile radius.
The front door bursts open and my grumpy roommate comes to a halt, sweating and panting. Thesight of a disheveled Carter, so different from the proper and collected version I usually get, stirs something low in my belly.
“What the fu—” Quinn gasps, jumping to her feet and clutching a coffee stirrer. “Who’re you?”
“What’s with women around here and their impractical weapons?” Carter says in a cool tone, sounding bored.
But Quinn is in full protective mode, even though we’re the same height and Carter towers over her. He’s got that calculating glint in his eyes, assessing Quinn’s level of threat. He’s not worried.
“I’m somebody who’s tired of unannounced visitors,” he deadpans, and the reproach fills me with shame. He was a gentleman about my ex, but it’s piling up. My stay here is bothersome enough without the drama.
“I’m sorry—” I begin reflexively, but Quinn cuts me off.
“Listen here, mister.” Against all odds, she is staring him down. “Proper manners are to identify yourself when you barge in on two ladies.”
Carter snorts. And it’s the weirdest reaction. It’s not something I thought he was physically capable of. And I’m too entertained to say anything.
“Proper manners dictate you shouldn’t threaten me with a coffee stirrer in the place I currently live in.” He veers back to his usual attitude.
Quinn’s head snaps toward me, big green eyes round with surprise.
“Wow. That was fast. I mean…” She clears her throat. “Don’t get me wrong, good for you.” She scans Carter from head to toe and nods approvingly. “But here I was, worrying for you.”
“Oh, no! That’s not what’s happening,” I hastily jump in, looking at Carter apologetically.
He’s taken aback for a moment before raising an amused eyebrow in my direction.
“I’ll move soon. It’s temporary. Carter’s staying the summer.”
Quinn’s light eyebrows pinch adorably and her lips purse around the weapon of choice she’s now chewing on.
“Hm. Too bad,” she says, plopping back on the couch, unfazed by the death glare coming from Carter. “Anyway. Penelope came by yesterday asking for you. Since you didn’t show up this week.”
