“Quinn feels certain this guy is still single and leads a solitary life.”

“By the way, where is Quinn?” She tried to sound disinterested, but didn’t think she pulled it off.

“Helena. Picking up your friend from the airport, the lab technician.”

“Olivia?” She’d almost forgotten Quinn had asked her to help.

Nick nodded and sipped his beer. “He’ll be back late tonight or in the morning.” He paused. “I wish you and Quinn the best of luck.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Don’t you?”

“No.”

Nick sighed, started peeling the label off his beer bottle. “You’re obviously still in love with him. You’ve always been in love with him.”

“That’s not true.” Was she protesting too much? She tried to explain. “You know how it was back then. But with everything that happened, I just-well, it’s over. It’s been over a very long time.”

“Love just doesn’t turn on and off like a faucet, Miranda.” He sounded angry.

“I didn’t say that, I-” She stopped. “Nick, I’m sorry.” What else could she say? She knew Nick had feelings for her, feelings she didn’t or couldn’t return. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt her best friend.

He waved off her apology and stood. “I just wanted to check in on you since I’m off duty, so to speak.” The sheriff was never really “off duty.” It had been a running joke with them when he’d first been elected.

“There’s nothing going on between me and Quinn,” she said, then bit her tongue. Why was it so important that she convince Nick of that?

Or were her protests more about convincing herself?

He gave her a wry smile. “Believe what you want, Miranda, but the truth is your heart has always been with Quinn. I never had a chance. But I only just realized it.”

“I care about you. You’re my best friend.”

He nodded, and she knew she’d said the wrong thing. Nick was in love with her and she’d called him a friend.

Why did she always put her foot in her mouth?

“I know you care, Randy. You’ve always been a good friend. But a lousy girlfriend. ‘Night.”

She stared after him, wondering why in the world he’d stopped by. To see if she and Quinn were together? To convince himself of something? She shook her head as she finished her beer and tossed the empty bottles in the bin under the counter.

She’d never understand men.