“Fionna, this is Natalie, the new intern at work—she’s my trainee. She’s still finding her way around, so I’m just here to help her get settled. Why didn’t you tell me you were visiting Steph? I could’ve made time to come with you.”
I kept my gaze steady, focused straight ahead, brushing his hand off my arm with a cold detachment. “I don’t need to be informed about your work, Darrel, nor do you need to know my plans. I came when I felt like it.”
Relief washed over his face, as if he’d dodged a bullet. “Alright, well, it’s not far anyway. But, please, be careful. Next time, just let me know and I’ll drive you over.”
He lingered there awkwardly, blocking my path, while the tension simmered in the air between us. Natalie glanced nervously at him, then back at me. Seemingly desperate to break the silence, she bounced forward, making a show of trying to take the bags from Darrel’s hands, but he stepped aside, dodging her.
“I’ll carry these up for you,” he told her gently, smiling down at her. “You don’t need to strain yourself. Let me take care of it.”