Page 45 of Study You

You have some serious decisions to make after tonight.

Finn squared her shoulders and strode back into the bar. Morgan was watching her as she approached, her head cocked. “You okay?”

“Oh, yeah. I just needed some air. Can I get a beer, please?”

“Sure.” Morgan pulled a pint and set it down on the bar counter. “You taking your stuff too? It’s fine if you want to leave it behind the bar until you’re leaving.”

“Would that be okay?” Finn didn’t want to trip over her holdall as she crossed the floor. And with the way she was feeling, that was highly likely.

“Yeah. I’ll put it in the back. Just give me a shout when you want it, and I’ll grab it for you.” Morgan smiled. “Now, before that woman you’re with burns a hole through both of us, you should go and join her.”

Finn turned to find Gillian glaring at them both. “Oh, right.”

She smiled as she approached Gillian’s table, wondering where she should sit. She had pissed Gillian off by almost kissing her on the cheek; she didn’t need to get anything else wrong tonight.

“Hi.” Finn smiled towards Gillian’s friend. “Finn. Nice to meet you.”

“It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Jan. Gillian’s long-time pain in the arse.”

Finn grinned. Jan had a sense of humour, so that was nice. “I don’t want to gate crash your night, so I’m just going to drink this and leave you two to enjoy your Saturday evening together.”

“Oh, don’t be daft. We’re always with one another. Sit, drink, let’s chat.”

Finn cleared her throat and eyed the spot next to Gillian. Her gaze drifted to the chair she was standing behind. It would probably be best if she took this one. Then she couldn’t be considered to be ‘too close’ to Gillian. She knew how much it stressed her professor out. She pulled it out and sat down. “As I say, just one. I should head off soon anyway. I have plenty to get on with.”

“Gill says you’re going to be working on her new place for her.”

Finn dragged a hand through her hair and smiled. “Yeah. That’s the plan. It’s a gorgeous place, so I’m looking forward to making it a home for her.”

“I wouldn’t know. I haven’t seen it yet.”

“Oh. Well, I’ve only seen it because I needed to take some measurements earlier. I’m hoping to start some prep tomorrow,” Finn said, her eyes drifting to a very quiet Gillian. “If that’s okay with you.”

“I’m not available tomorrow.”

Finn lifted a shoulder. “That’s okay. I can take care of it myself. I have the spare key, so…”

Gillian nodded as she shifted in her seat. She lifted her glass and eyed Finn, then looked over her shoulder to where Morgan tended the bar. “If you’re not busy elsewhere. Fine.”

Was that…jealousy? No. Surely not. Finn didn’t pin Gillian for the jealous type. And besides, jealousy would imply some kind of feeling was involved for Gillian. Not possible.

“The next several weeks for me are going to consist of uni, assignments, and working on your place. You’ll be sick of the sight of me soon.”

Gillian downed what was left in her wine glass and slid out of the booth. “Excuse me a moment. I need to use the bathroom.”

Finn smiled and lowered her eyes to the pint glass in front of her. She felt Jan’s gaze penetrating her; God only knew what Gillian had said about Finn to her best friend while she was outside.

“Now isn’t really the time or place to talk, but I wondered if I could speak to you at some point, Finn.”

Finn looked up at Jan. “You want to talk…to me?”

“I do. Don’t worry—I’m not going to chastise you for getting involved with Gillian, but I do need to speak to you. Without Gillian being there…or knowing.”

Mm, Finn didn’t like the idea of that. She didn’t want there to be any secrets. “Oh, I’m not sure that’s a good idea. If you need to speak about something, Gillian should know. She’s calling the shots here right now, and I don’t want to get in between you two or ruin what I have with her.”

Jan regarded Finn with a sincere smile. “That’s a lovely thing to say.”

“I may not look like I particularly care about people’s opinions of me, but I’d like to think I’m trustworthy. Trust is massively important for me and Gillian, and I can’t risk that. I’m sorry.”

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