She had to admit, despite the awkwardness of the situation, leaving the hotel was somewhat of a relief. It wasn’t as though she were enjoying any of the amenities like the pool or the restaurants. And she would technically be on her own property, though it still didn’t feel that way. At least here she wouldn’t feel so alone.

As though on cue, her phone rang.

Quinn jumped up and went back into the cottage. She pulled the phone from her pocket and looked at the screen before swiping. Her heart skipped, and she felt herself tensing.

“Hi,” she said.

“What’s going on, Quinn?” Ethan said.

No greeting and he had that tone. Not a happy one.

“Well, hold on. Let me sit.” She was buying time; she knew that. She settled herself onto the love seat, leaning forward.

Big breath, then dive in.

There was a long pause.

“So, how is it?” he asked. “Is it all you’d hoped it would be?”

Quinn bit her lip. She could visualize him running his fingers through his hair, styling it to the left as he liked it to go, a subconscious reflex even when stressed.

“It’s a beautiful home. But there are a few issues,” she finally admitted.

“It’s old, Quinn. It’s going to be nothing but issues. I could’ve saved you—saved us—a lot of headache if you’d just listened. So what is it? Plumbing? Bad neighborhood? What are the problems?”

“No, the plumbing is fine, as far as I know. But unfortunately, there’s a snag with the previous owners.”

“A snag?” he said, his voice suspicious.

Quinn could feel her pulse escalate.

“Yes, a snag. They’re sort of still here.”

“Still there? Like in the area? What do you care?” Now he sounded impatient.

“I mean like still here—in the house. It’s complicated, Ethan, but they haven’t moved out yet.” There, she’d said it.

He was silent so long that Quinn pulled the phone from her ear, looking at it to see if he’d hung up. He hadn’t.

“Ethan?”

“I’m here,” he said. “Listen, I don’t even need to hear why they haven’t moved out. But you can let them know they’re on borrowed time, so they’d better be packing. I’ll see if I can get a flight out tomorrow after my meeting.”

Quinn felt a rush of panic. When Ethan slipped into business mode, he was like a bulldozer sweeping through, no thought of collateral damage.

“No, don’t. I’m taking care of it,” she said, nearly biting through her lip. “You don’t have to come.”

More silence.

She talked faster. “It’s just a minor misunderstanding. They’ll be moving out soon, but in the meantime, they’re going to help me get some work started inside.”