Page 14 of Study You

Gillian cleared her throat as she shook Louisa’s hand. “Maybe. Yeah. Thanks for all your help with the sale. I appreciate it.”

“Bye, Gillian.” Louisa’s hand lingered for a moment longer than it should have, and then she turned on her heel and approached the hallway. “You have my number, yes?”

Gillian smiled. “Yes.”

She took a deep breath when Louisa left, walking towards the sash windows and taking a seat on the sill. She had nowhere else to sit right now, but in time, this would become Gillian’s forever home. It had to be.

Her phone buzzed in her hand. A reminder.

Gillian planned to discuss things with Finn if she was available. Ground rules were important if they wanted to keep this going. Gillian couldn’t afford to fuck up here.

She brought up her messages, hoping Finn was around this evening. It wouldn’t be the end of the world if they couldn’t talk tonight, but Gillian did need it to happen sooner rather than later. And not only that, she wanted to see Finn for…other reasons.

After Gillian’s very interesting morning yesterday, followed by their sexting in the cafeteria, she had been hugely frustrated when Finn hadn’t been able to make it over to her apartment last night. Sexually frustrated, but frustrated, nonetheless. Still, the normal part of her understood. Finn was her mother’s caregiver, and there would be times when plans would go awry.

Busy tonight?

She locked her phone and got to her feet. Gillian should be celebrating this day. She should be drinking champagne while spending time with the people who mattered to her. Only, deep down, she wanted to celebrate with Finn. Preferably naked. Gillian hadn’t released that pent up tension from yesterday yet; she wanted to save herself for Finn.

Planning to go to The Corner for a few beers but nothing after that. I boxed off two pieces of work today, so I believe I’m entitled to it. You?

Gillian wished she could just drop by and drink with Finn. Especially since the sale had gone through and she had the keys to her new home, but it wasn’t wise to be seen out in public together, so she couldn’t for one second hint at joining her. If Gillian had any hope of maintaining this with Finn, she knew she had to be very careful with each step she took. While she didn’t want to neglect herself and her own needs, her career was just as important to her.

I hoped we could talk at some point…

Gillian didn’t want to talk at some point, she wanted to talk to Finn as soon as she possibly could. Liar! Okay, she wanted to be with Finn tonight. Deep down, she knew it was all she wanted. She wanted to have all of Finn’s attention, amongst other things. It was a dangerous game to play, but Gillian found that she simply couldn’t help herself. Despite her reservations, and despite knowing how careful she had to be, Gillian found herself pulling up her browser on her phone.

She wracked her brains, trying to recall the location of the bar Finn would be at. Only Gillian didn’t recognise the place. She couldn’t say she’d passed it by on the way home from work or while she was out for lunch. She brought it up online, surprised when she realised it wasn’t anywhere near the campus. Actually, it was in an entirely different town.

Of course. You let me know the time and place, and I’ll be there.

Gillian smiled at that. Finn was always so eager.

The bar isn’t close to the university.

Maybe she could scope out the place on arrival and then surprise Finn if the coast was clear. That idea had excitement coursing through Gillian. It was Friday, she had the keys to her new home, and the potential for time with Finn was on the table. Though, the truth was, time with Finn would always be on the table.

You have some preparations to make.

But before that, she would respond to Finn with a message that gave nothing away.

I’ll be in touch.

* * *

Finn sat at the bar, glaring down at the bottle of beer she’d ordered thirty minutes ago. She’d hoped to hear from Gillian since she’d texted and asked Finn about her plans, but that didn’t seem likely now. It was eight in the evening; Gillian was probably knee-deep in work. Even on a Friday night, Finn imagined that was the kind of woman she was. Dedicated to her job.

So here she sat…alone.

You always knew you’d be here alone.

God, that was depressing. She had considered just staying in this evening, but the last couple of days had felt kind of freeing for her. Her mum didn’t seem to be pushing so hard since Wednesday when Finn told her she needed space. Maybe she was just beginning to realise that Finn needed a life too, or maybe she was worried that pushing too hard would result in Finn being unavailable permanently. She didn’t know, but she wasn’t sitting at home looking at the same four walls tonight. No way.

She lifted her bottle and swigged her beer, grimacing when the warm liquid slid down her throat. She lifted a hand towards the server, motioning for another. When Morgan set a fresh bottle down on the counter, she rested her arm on a beer pump and cocked her head. “You been stood up, gorgeous?”

Finn smiled and shook her head. “Nah. Didn’t have any plans other than sitting here.”

“How about a shot on me?” Morgan lifted a brow, her soft brown eyes calming. Morgan was stunning, Finn had always had a bit of a thing for her, but she had never managed to pluck up the courage to tell her that. Finn didn’t know why; Gillian was as much out of her league as Morgan was, yet she’d been more than forthcoming with Gillian.

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