Page 89 of The Secretary Volume II

“I am.”

Quinn tilts her head.“You’ll like it here,” she says.“If you don’t overthink things.”

I give her a small smile like that makes sense.

Ellis reaches for a knife, gestures in my direction.“I trust you slept well.”

I watch as he picks up a biscuit and studies it.“I did.”

That’s a lie.I barely remember falling asleep.

Quinn leans forward slightly.“Did you dream?”

Her voice is clear.Oddly formal.Like she’s repeating something she was told to say.

“Not that I remember.”

She nods, pleased with the answer.

I glance at Ellis, but he’s buttering with focus.Completely unconcerned.

Sue clears her throat.“Quinn’s doing very well lately.”

Ellis nods.“She’s making excellent progress.”

Quinn picks up her fork and stabs a strawberry.Doesn’t eat it.

Ellis leans forward and takes the fork.“You’re doing great, honey.Let’s not regress.”

I finally ask, “Do you live here?”

Quinn’s head tilts again.

“She’s recovering,” Sue answers for her.“It’s better for her to be somewhere consistent.”

Quinn reaches up and smooths her hand over her scalp.Then she looks at me and says, “He used to leave the windows open.I didn’t like that.”

“And now he doesn’t,” Sue says softly.“See?That’s marriage.”

Ellis doesn’t respond.He just refolds his napkin like that wasn’t confirmation.

Sue looks at me and offers a tight smile.“She remembers more than people expect.”

There’s a long pause where no one speaks.

Ellis raises his mug.“Coffee’s good this morning.”

I look away.Mine’s cold.

Across the table, Quinn smiles again.“Do you know what a pretty face looks like when it’s scared?”

The room stills.

I pretend to stir my coffee.

Sue doesn’t flinch.Ellis takes a sip.

I set my spoon down.