Page 15 of Study You

“You going to do one with me?”

Morgan winked and brought up a bottle and two shot glasses. “Only because it’s you.”

“Go on then. Hit me.” Finn patted the counter, pushing her beer to the side. She watched Morgan bop her head to the beat of the music, her tongue poking out and playing with her lip ring. “You not dating?”

“Me? When do I have time to do anything other than run this place?”

Finn lifted a shoulder. “You make time.”

“When you take your own advice, I’ll consider it.” Morgan slid a shot glass towards Finn, smiling as they clinked. “Come on. Get it down your neck.”

Finn knocked it back, blinking rapidly as the heat in her throat intensified. “Whew. The fuck was that?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. It’s supposed to be some vodka concoction, but it’s fucking grim.” Morgan burst out laughing as she put the bottle back in its place. “Take it easy, Finn. I’ll be back when I get the chance.”

Finn rested against the bar; her fist propped under her chin. Yeah, Morgan was all kinds of fine in Finn’s mind. She had that fiery look about her. While she was feminine, she had a sleeve and multiple piercings. Morgan seemed like the kind of woman who would have the most intimate places pierced. Anyone who could do that knew what they wanted in life.

Finn’s phone lit up on the sticky wood it rested on.

How’s the bar?

Ah. Gillian. The woman Finn couldn’t get off her mind.

Terrible. I can think of other places I’d rather be.

She locked her phone and sat back on her stool. Finn didn’t recognise a single person in here tonight. No one she could get talking to. Nothing. Maybe next time, she would drink closer to the university. She was sure to bump into someone there. At least then she wouldn’t look so fucking miserable and lonely.

Her phone flashed again.

I did something today…

Oh, God. Where the hell was Gillian going with this?

Oh, yeah? Anything exciting?

Why was Finn asking that question? If Gillian came back with something deep and meaningful, she wouldn’t know what to do with it.

I’d like to think so. I bought a house!

Wow. Not what Finn expected at all.

Congratulations. That’s amazing. I hope you’re celebrating!

A little frustrated, Finn instantly wanted to be celebrating with Gillian. A house purchase was a huge occasion. She groaned, her head in her hands, and closed her eyes.

Life was complicated—most peoples were—but growing up, she hadn’t imagined she would fall into that category. No, growing up, Finn knew exactly what she wanted. The house, the wife, the dog. Maybe even the kids if it worked out with the right person. Sure, she was only twenty-six, but shouldn’t she have had at least one of those things by now? Even just the committed relationship would have been good enough.

As she sat here, that wasn’t something she could even begin to envisage within the next five or ten years. What she had with Gillian worked. It was exhilarating, and the anticipation kept Finn on her toes, but that couldn’t last forever. Gillian would want to move on one day, and Finn hoped she could be in the same position.

“Can I…celebrate with you?”

Finn frowned when she felt the softest breath wash over her ear. That was Gillian’s voice, she was certain of it, but…how?

She turned her head, almost falling off her stool when Gillian stood to the side of her. “H-hi.”

“Hi, Finn.” Gillian wore a sexy shy smile, and her outfit left very little to the imagination.

“Aren’t you cold?” Finn ran a hand through her hair, clearing her throat. “I mean, you look amazing, but still…” Finn swallowed as she lowered her eyes. Gillian wore the littlest little black dress Finn had ever seen. She wasn’t sure it could even be considered an outfit. Had Gillian picked up a piece of material and wrapped it around her tits and barely her torso? “Fuck.”

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