Page 60 of Spindrift

“Sowhat do we do?”

“Itold you.” Blue eyes fixed on hers. “That’s your call. If you need a friend,I’m here. If you decide you want something more, I think I just proved I’ll behere for that, too.”

“That’snot really fair.”

“No,”said Morgan. “It isn’t.”

“Butwhat doyouwant?”

Morgan’swistful smile tore at Emilia. “Right now, I want to help you fix this boat sothat you don’t drown before you make up your mind.”

Nell,who had observed her person’s behavior with canine indifference, chose thismoment to flop down next to Morgan.Traitor.

“Okaythen. Let’s do that.”

• • •

Stevietook one look at Morgan’s face when she hopped into the truck and frowned.“What did you have for lunch? Bad fish?”

“Ididn’t eat.” Instead, she’d helped Emilia spread epoxy over the crack in therowboat’s hull and had done her best not to scream in frustration.

“Thatwas stupid. Here, eat this healthy bar thing that I stole from Lil.” Stevie handedher a protein bar, and she chewed without tasting it. Her body ached withunreleased tension.

“Thenwhat did you do?” Stevie asked when Morgan didn’t volunteer any information.

“Ihelped Emilia with her boat.”

“Andhow is the good doctor?” Stevie’s banter carried a concerned edge.

“Fine.”

“Sofine that you look like you want to hit something.”

“Idon’t.”

“Youmost definitely do.”

“Dropit, Stevie.”

Steviesettled back in her seat with a hurt expression. Morgan hadn’t meant to snap ather. White showed in her knuckles where they gripped the wheel.

“She’sa top,” she said, not looking at Stevie.

“Ohno.” Stevie’s voice softened. “Morgan, you’re totally fucked.”

“Iknow.”

“How,exactly, did you discover this, Sherlock?”

“Idon’t want to talk about it.”

“CanI play devil’s advocate?”

“Doyou ever play anything else?”

“Touché.Seriously, though. I think I get why you’re fighting this, but let’s be realfor a second.”

Morganglanced at her friend. Stevie’s face was uncharacteristically sober.

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