By the time he pulled into the parking garage of the house, he was angry and on edge. He tossed his keys on the counter and went to the fridge to grab a beer.

Haven fixed herself a glass of ice water, then took a seat on the sofa in the living room.

“You were really quiet on the drive back here.”

He took several swallows of beer, not saying anything to her. He needed a minute or two to calm down, hoping the beer would help.

He stopped at the door to the back deck and stared into the darkness, taking another drink of beer.

“Trevor. Is something wrong?”

Anger boiled inside him, looking for a way out. He tried to contain it, but he turned to face her. “You made a decision without consulting me.”

She blinked. “Excuse me? What decision?”

“The literacy event.”

“What about it? I thought you’d be happy.”

He took a deep breath. “You shouldn’t have booked that without consulting me.”

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“Why not? Is there some problem with the organization?”

“No. They’re a great organization. That’s why they’re one of the charities I support.”

“Then I don’t understand the problem.”

He saw her frown, and he knew he wasn’t getting his point across.

And he knew why. Because there was something he wasn’t telling her, something he couldn’t tell her without divulging his secret.

He dragged his fingers through his hair. “I can’t do it.”

“Okay. Care to explain why?”

“No. Just cancel it.”

He finished his beer and tossed the bottle in the recycling bin. It hadn’t helped, so he grabbed another out of the refrigerator.

Haven got up and came over to him. “Trevor, I can tell you’re upset about this. Talk to me.”

He pushed past her and opened the door to the back deck, needing the cool night air to clear his head. He walked all the way out to the boat dock and sat.

Haven followed, pulling up a spot next to him.

“I’ve never seen you this upset. Please tell me what’s wrong.”

Instead, he downed half the contents of his bottle of beer, looking for a solution in oblivion. Maybe if he got drunk, his problem would go away.

“I don’t want to talk about this.”

“I think you should. Tell me why you don’t want to do this story. If it’s something about the facility . . .”

“It’s not the facility. They’re great.”

“Then what is it?”

The last thing he wanted right now was to listen to her calm, concerned voice. He pushed off the dock, needing to get away from Haven. He went into the house, but he heard her right on his heels, quietly shutting the door behind her.

“Not now, Haven,” he said, not even looking at her.

“I’m not going away, Trevor.”

His blood boiling, he whipped around to face her. “Maybe you should.”

The hurt and confusion on her face was evident. “What?”

“I think we’re done here.”

She paused for a second, then shook her head. “Oh, no. You don’t get to push me away that easily. Something’s bothering you, and it has nothing to do with you and me. So tell me what’s up.”

He shook his head. “I’m going to bed.”

He tossed the empty beer bottle in the bin and headed up the stairs, intending to lock himself in his room, cowardly avoiding a confrontation with Haven. But she hurried in front of him on the stairs, blocking him.

“I’m not going to let you do this, Trevor. Talk to me.”

“I don’t have anything to say.”

“Don’t avoid me. Don’t avoid this.”

“There’s nothing to avoid. I’m pissed you went behind my back and scheduled something you shouldn’t have. It’s as simple as that.”

“No, it’s not that simple. You’re afraid. I can see it in your face. Now tell me what’s going on, because I’m not going to let this drop.”

They stood on the landing, right in front of her bedroom. He could push her out of the way and he sure as hell could outrun her. And yeah, he could hide in his room, but she’d still be there in the morning, asking the same goddamn questions.

“Leave it alone, Haven.”

She grasped his hand. “I’m worried about you, Trevor. I’ve never seen you so upset. Please talk to me. Come to my room and talk to me.”

She tugged on his hand, but he refused to yield.




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