Page 52 of Novice Girlfriend

That was the out I needed and hurried to move more like twenty feet away with him closer to the water. He put up the barrier and stared out at the water as he crossed his arms over his broad chest.

“I’m going to ask you a favor that I shouldn’t and I beg you not to turn me down. It goes over a line that I never wanted to cross—something I feel bad even asking, but everything in me is screaming that I’m right no matter what people are telling me. I just can’t shake this and it’s not the time to be distracted, so please just do this for me and tell me I’m dumb, okay?”

“I’ll try,” I hedged, not willing to commit to anything without knowing what it was.

He nodded and then looked at me. “Something is up with one of my best friends. You’ve met him. He was the guard who walked you through everything at your disownment hearing. I didn’t know that. He told me later how nice you were and—you’ve seen him again, right?”

I nodded, his name slipping my mind. “Yes, really nice guy. He was great to me that day and always checks on me when I’m at the council estate. I forget his name. It’s one that most think of as a girl’s but boys use too.”

“Eunice,” he filled in for me. He blew out a heavy breath and scrubbed his neck. “Something is wrong with him, Bev. Something has changed. I don’t know and he won’t talk to me about it. I just know, you know? Like you would know if Tracey started acting off. Our other friends told me to let it go, that it’s the stress we’re all under—that I’m under but…”

“What do you want me to...” I sighed. “You want me to listen to his familiar. You bring them to the council estate. I could get near him.”

“Please?” he whispered, sounding unlike Link for once. “I know it’s a lot to ask and horrible of me to ask you to spy on my friend. I know it. I will make it up to him and tell him it was all me. I just know in my gut I’m right.”

“How sure are you?” I asked, but I really didn’t even need to. It was right there in his eyes.

Link was as sure as his own name.

“Okay,” I agreed. “But please don’t make it a habit. I have enough issues. If people…”

“I know. I’m sorry. I promise that—I know. This is really a—I swear this is a desperate time and honestly I hope you just tell me they’re right and I need more sleep.” He chuckled darkly. “I know I do, but it’s keeping me from sleeping.”

He really did need sleep though. It was beyond obvious and that was the reason I agreed more than Link’s gut. He wasn’t going to be able to help anyone if he didn’t sleep more.

He thanked me and said he’d let me know when he figured out how to make it work. Then he left, not even saying goodbye to Wyatt and Winter.

I went back over to them and stared at Winter before even sitting back down. “I know you walked up on something that looked bad with Link once, but it was explained and I apologized. I don’t like this—whatever this is with him. I’ve never given you reason to doubt me.”

“You haven’t,” he agreed, looking like he had more to say.

“Then hear it from me that he’s never flirted with me. Never said anything to make me think he’s interested or—he’s never so much as talked to or glanced at my chest, Winter. He might find me attractive.” I gave a shrug. “So what? A lot of people do. I have huge boobs and a pert ass. I’m industry standard pretty. You want me to make myself ugly?”

He let out a slow breath and then another before glancing at the way Link had walked off before meeting my gaze. “I don’t like secrets between us that involve other men. That’s what bothers me about this. I feel that’s fair to say.”

I thought about that and sat down. “Normally, I would agree, but this is something that’s not about male or female. I promise. If the situation was reversed, I would have no problem with this. I swear it.”

“He used the word personal,” Wyatt defended.

“Kind of a favor for a friend?” I hedged, but sounded like I was asking. “Almost like when my professor asked for her daughter but not really?” I tried to work that out in my head. “Yeah, I’d put it like that even if I sent them to you.”

Winter nodded. “Okay.” He kept bobbing his head as he reached for another container. “Yeah, that’s fair. I think that’s just what I need to hear when it’s walk away from me, barrier up conferences with a man who is attracted to you and things I can’t know about.”

“Okay, I can do that.” I smiled after a moment. “Look at me being all healthy in my relationships and addressing things instead of just ignoring them and being socially inept.” I was actually really proud of that as I popped another piece of sushi in my mouth.

“It’s a good look on you, Bev,” Wyatt praised. “I really mean that.”

“Agreed, but I’m still coming for that offer you made,” Winter told me easily.

I frowned until it hit me what he meant. Then I almost dropped the container.

He wiggled his eyebrows at me and then reached over and smacked Wyatt’s hand when he reached for more food. “Glad you’re good. You should get back to enjoying your time talking with Quinn. Have a good one.”

“Subtle, Winter,” Wyatt drawled.

“Wasn’t meant to be. Bye.”

I couldn’t even get my mouth to work, leaning over and giving Quinn a hug instead, basically agreeing. I think? Acceptance?