“Yeah, because she actually works,” he jabs, but I ignore him. “What’s that look for?” he grouses.
“What?” I act affronted, but he knows me too well.
“That look you just had. I have a feeling it’s going to get us into trouble.”
“I was just thinking I should hire another liaison, lighten her load.”
“No,” Evan snaps, then tosses his head back and lets out a belly laugh. “I think you actually like getting in trouble.”
“I’m not a child. I don’t get into trouble.”
Evan laughs again, and Millie gives him a questioning look as we pass her desk. Once we’re in the hall, he says, “You tell Quinn you’re giving someone else her job, and you bet you’ll be in trouble. She’d skin you.”
“It would grow back.” I shrug and knock hard on her closed door. I hate seeing her door closed when I’m not in there with her.
“Maybe we should wait,” Evan suggests as if he really is afraid of her.
The soft murmuring from the other side of the door cuts off, and I hear Quinn tell someone, “I’m sorry, just a moment.” Within a few seconds, her face is peering through the cracked door and she snarls, “What?”
“Is that how you always answer the door?” I push it open a little, and she steps back. Evan lets out a groan.
“Only when I know it’s you,” she mumbles under her breath, then adds, “Is there something I can help you withHeadmaster Stone?” I narrow my eyes on her. She has a real talent for saying the right thing but lacing it with venom.
“I’m just here to observe.” It’s what I always say when I interrupt one of her meetings, which is pretty much anytime I see her door closed. It’s like a compulsion. I should probably try to get it under control.
I don’t notice the kid, but Quinn keeps darting her gaze to the chair she sits in during her sessions. Evan decides to throw caution to the wind and join me in the room.
“And Mr. Winters.” Quinn scrunches up her face and gives us a fake smile. I have to force myself not to grin back at her. “Wow, I think I’m going to need more furniture in here, my office is so popular.” She’s still sporting the false smile. It’s actually kind of adorable.
“Consider it done. Any requests? A sofa?”
A snort draws my attention, and I finally look at the person seated in front of Quinn’s desk. Vampire, not sure what clan he’s from, but I really don’t keep up with that shit. He’s young, and though he’s sitting, he looks like he can take care of himself.
I let my gaze linger on him, and he looks away from me. I watch his throat work as he swallows. His heart gives a few hard pounds before it starts racing. I don’t avert my gaze from him. He wanted my attention, now he has it.
Quinn delivers a wallop to my stomach, right near my navel. “Knock it off,” she orders through clenched teeth. I reach for the hand she smacked me with and bring her knuckles to my lips to kiss them.
“Did you hurt your hand?”
“No,” she mutters petulantly and marches over to the chair to sit near the boy. His eyes are wide, but he’s making it a point not to look at me or Evan. Quinn leans a little closer to the kid. “Ignore them,” she tells him in a conspiratorial whisper with a light smile. He swallows thickly again and looks down at his legs. Quinn’s smile drops, and I suddenly feel like shit.
“We made some good progress today. Why don’t we schedule something for early next week? That will give you a few days to do some research on the schools you’re interested in.” She reaches over and touches the tips of her fingers to the boy’s forearm to get his attention. “How does that sound?”
“Yeah, I can do that,” the kid answers quickly.
“Let me just pull up my schedule, and we’ll see what works for you.” Quinn moves around to the other side of the desk. I’m much more comfortable with her over there. Maybe we can find a compromise.
“Stop sneering,” Evan whispers harshly. I drop the threatening expression from my face I hadn’t even realized I was wearing. Damnit. “Better.”
“Does Monday at two work for you?”
“Can we do it earlier, or Tuesday?” he hedges.
“Sure, is ten better?” Quinn offers.
“Yeah, that works.”
Quinn rounds her desk again and stops near the kid’s chair. “Make sure you research those schools we talked about,” she tells him. “We’ll get a game plan together.” She’s smiling again. At least for now.
