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Andy could understand that. In a way, Quinn, the Quinn he’d loved,haddied that night. He drew a long breath. “Thanks for telling me. For being honest. For trusting me with the truth.”

“There was never a time I didn’t trust you.” Quinn said it so softly, so sincerely, it closed Andy’s throat.

He nodded, turned his head because he didn’t want Quinn to see his tears—given that he himself had no idea why they were there. His only wish was to escape upstairs, to get some space between them, some time to process everything.

Quinn said quickly, “Andy?”

Andy glanced back, surprised to see Quinn looking uncharacteristically uncertain, even tense.

“What’s up?” He sounded terse because he didn’t want his voice to give him away. But he felt suddenly winded, his heart thudding in confused response to Quinn’s tone and expression. He had no idea what was going on, butsomethingwas going on.

Quinn’s throat jerked as he swallowed. “You don’t have to be alone tonight.”

Ohhellno. Like this hadn’t been hard enough? No way was he putting himself through any more.

He opened his mouth to say so, but Quinn was already correcting himself. He was so smooth most of the time, but now he was half stuttering, “Wait. That—that came out wrong. I meant what I said earlier about not pushing—rushing—but sometimes it helps to have someone there. A friend. Just to be there. To hold you. Or not hold you. It helps not to be alone.”

“It doesn’t help when youwantto be alone.”

“No. Right.” Quinn smiled that quick, meaningless smile, spread his hands in a no-harm-no-foul.

Something about Quinn’s instant withdrawal—the contrast between his easy smile and the shadows in his eyes—got to Andy. Halted his own retreat. Until that moment, he hadn’t realized Quinn was lonely. That Quinn had suffered asmany or more losses than he had. That Quinn was trying to make amends for something that wasn’t really even his fault.

He also realized that he didnotwant to be alone. He did not want to lie awake in a strange room, in a strange house, with only his regrets for the past and fears for the future to keep him company.

Andy let out a long sigh—it felt like exhaling after hours of holding his breath, hours of playing hide and seek with an unknown opponent.

“But you’re right,” he said. “I don’t want to be alone tonight.”

Chapter Sixteen

The master bedroom was a long, empty barn of bare white walls, reclaimed-wood floorboards, and lots of windows offering a dizzying view of frosty stars and snowy treetops. There was a fireplace at one end of the room and a door leading onto the adjoining bathroom at the other. A king-size bed was positioned between the wall of windows. Cozy light radiated from an emerald-green hand-painted glass and bronze lamp sitting on a battered milking stool next to the bed. An equally scratched and peeling midcentury high chest sat opposite the bed.

The lack of furniture—the bed didn’t even have a headboard—seemed a pointed repudiation of all that had come before.All that had come beforebeing generations of Raffertys and all their worldly goods.

Quinn, following Andy’s gaze to the neatly made bed, joked, “Too on the nose?”

Andy laughed, but yes, the sight of the bed did trigger an unsettled buzzing in the pit of his stomach. Sort of like a bee hive reacting to the sudden appearance of a bear paw. He really,reallydid not want…problems. At the same time, he trusted Quinn—wanted to trust Quinn, anyway—and he joked back, “What do you have against furniture?”

Quinn shook his head. “Interior design isn’t my strong suit.”

“Is that lamp actually Murano?” Andy lowered his bag to the floor and went to check out the beautiful blown glass and enamel lamp.

“No idea. It used to be in Gran’s parlor.”

Andy knelt to study the lamp. “I think it is. Wow. That’s lovely.” He glanced at Quinn, who was watching him with a curious expression. “Anyway.” Andy rose.

What the hell now?

It was ridiculous to feel so nervous, right? Nervous and excited and extremely doubtful about this. All of this.

Quinn said abruptly, “You can go ahead and wash up. I’m going to make a couple of quick phone calls.”

“Uh… Okay. Of course.”

Quinn turned and left the room, his firm, quick footsteps fading down the hallway.

So that was a relief.