Page 76 of Study You

Finn’s brows rose this time. A month ago, Carol would have scoffed at the idea of going outside when there was a light breeze, never mind constant rain all day. “Fair enough. Anyway, I was just calling to see if you needed me home tonight. I’m finishing up at the house I’m working on in the next hour or so.”

“Oh, no. Don’t worry about me. Sue is calling in with some grocery bits she offered to pick up.”

“Mum, are you sure? I know I said what I said the other month, but if you needed me, I could come home.” While Finn loved having her own time and space lately, she was worried her mum was struggling rather than admitting that she needed help. The house appeared to be in order whenever she managed to surface from Gillian’s bedroom, but Carol had gone from needing Finn all hours of the day to practically not at all.

“Monica did all the housework this morning. Those private companies are much better than the publicly-funded ones. They’re not rushing out the door ten minutes after they arrive.”

“Yeah, I know.” Finn hadn’t told Carol, but she was paying for the extra shift Monica worked. Carol’s own funds took care of the initial daily routine of washing, dressing, and preparing breakfast and lunch for Carol, but Finn took care of the cost that came with keeping Monica until the early evening. “So long as it’s all working out for you?”

“It’s bloody marvellous! I feel like royalty some days when we drive out and visit some new areas.”

“Good. I’m glad you enjoy it.” Finn heard a key in the door, instantly getting to her feet. “I’m not sure of my plans yet tonight. But if I’m not coming home, I’ll let you know.”

“You may think I believe you when you tell me that you’re just out with friends from uni, but I’m not daft, Finn. Whoever it is you’ve been spending a lot of time with lately…enjoy yourself. And I don’t know, maybe bring her round one day so I can meet the woman who makes my Finley very happy.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Bye, Mum.” Finn quickly cut the call and removed her boots before she left the bedroom.

Gillian had decided that she didn’t want carpet on the stairs or landing now. The last thing Finn needed was to create more work for herself by traipsing paint across the freshly sanded floorboards. She took the stairs slowly, creeping down them until she landed in the hallway. She caught that familiar scent Gillian wore, following its path to the kitchen.

Gillian stood with her back to Finn, her arms folded across her chest. Finn placed a gentle hand on the small of her back, not wanting to startle her. Even if it had been her intention as she tiptoed down the stairs just moments ago. “Hi, babe.”

“Is…the kitchen finished?”

“Mmhmm.” Finn nodded, admiring that smile as it spread on Gillian’s red-painted lips. “What do you think?”

“It’s gorgeous. All of it. I thought you were finishing the bedroom today and leaving the last of the kitchen until the weekend?”

“Thought I’d surprise you. I had a pal come round and do the painting for me so I could get busy upstairs.” She checked her hands and arms for paint before settling one around Gillian’s waist. “I know you’ve been secretly hoping the kitchen would be finished soon, so I made that happen.”

Gillian turned to Finn, draping her arms over Finn’s shoulders. “I love it. It’s perfect.” Her nails scratched the back of Finn’s neck, sending a shudder throughout her. “And I’ve missed you today.”

Gillian seemed tired; those dark eyes half-lidded occasionally when they met Finn’s. “I told you to go straight to the apartment. I’m almost done here for the day.”

“Well, I know. But as I said, I missed you.”

Finn hadn’t known how the last month would progress, but she was very pleased with every aspect of her life now. On the days when she didn’t have a lecture, she avoided the university. Their relationship was so intense behind closed doors that Finn didn’t want to jeopardise anything by being around campus. “I missed you, too.”

Gillian drew Finn into a kiss, guiding her back against the worktop. “Have you really been here since I left for work this morning?”

“I have. Once you’d driven into work, I came straight over here and got cracking. No use hanging around when I can keep myself busy doing things that make you happy.”

“You’re quite something.” Gillian’s voice dropped a little lower. Finn knew exactly what that tone meant. “You’d think I was fucking you or something…”

Finn eyed the kitchen window. The blinds were closed, thank God. “While I was here earlier, I was in my own head. Just…thinking about the last few months. Well, thinking about that one moment that led to us being here like this.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah. That night. Your divorce party.”

Gillian lowered a hand between them, her expert fingers undoing the button on her jeans. “Greatest night of my life.”

Finn quirked a brow. Was that really the truth that Gillian spoke? “I’m sure it wasn’t.”

“When I saw you sitting at that table watching me, I knew I was going to take you home and have you show me what fun I could be having. What I didn’t anticipate was all of this. All of you. You make me ridiculously happy, Finn. I hope you know that, and I hope you can believe me when I tell you that night was the greatest of my life.”

“Did I meet your expectations?” Finn rested back against the worktop, pressing her elbows to it as she slouched a little. Gillian slowly lowered her zipper, her gaze unwavering.

“Oh, you did far more than meet them,” Gillian said, lifting Finn’s tank top from her body. “You exceeded them in every way possible.”

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