“No. I can’t. I don’t want to be your problem to solve. I don’t need you adding things I tell you into your mental personnel file anymore.”

“That’s not what I do.”

“Yes. It is. It’s your job. You’re good at it. I’m not mad at you for it. But you can’t control everything.”

He raked his fingers through his soft hair. “I’m well aware of that fact, trust me.”

“I’m really tired and recently, I never know if I’ve pissed you off or not. And I’m tired of you acting like you care about me when it’s really just your job.” Whoa. Damn wine. “Good night.”

I spun away and left him alone as I hotfooted it down the steps to my cabin, embarrassed.

Inside, I closed the door and leaned against it, letting out a huge breath. After a few moments, I did my mental calming exercises and then peeled myself off the door and began to undress and remove my makeup. I got into my sleep shirt and slipped my last few belongings into the bags I was taking to the village in the morning.

There was a knock at my door.

“Just leave me alone, Evan.” Before I said something stupid and made things even more awkward between us. “I’m tired.” Thank God I’d quit. I wouldn’t have to face him much longer. Though that thought itself brought a conflicting rush of emotions.

“I have tea.”

I yanked the door open to him standing with a cup of steaming tea in one hand and his half eaten apple in the other. The sight of him bringing me a simple cup of tea made my chest tight. “Chamomile?” I asked.

He dragged his gaze up from my bare legs over my baggy sleeping shirt and to my face. “Of course. With a dash of apology. I’m sorry that I’ve seemed brusque recently, I’m under a ton of pressure right now. Of course, I care about you. I’m sorry you ever questioned whether I did. With Xavier going to America—”

“What? He’s going to America? To Charleston? Is he going to win Josie back?” I whispered. I stepped back, inviting him into my tiny cabin without thinking, immediately realizing my mistake when his presence and scent surrounded me with nowhere for me to go. I cleared my throat. “Is he?”

“He’s been an absolute shite since she left. So yeah. Finally. Here,” he said, and I took the teacup carefully from him and set it down on my side table.