Page 46 of Study You

“Forget I mentioned it. It’s okay.”

Finn sat back in her seat. “Unless it’s something that I really should know, I’d rather not, you know?”

“I understand.”

Before Gillian arrived back at their table, Finn caught her perfume. It was a comforting scent these days, and yeah…still sexy as hell when Finn allowed her mind to wander there. Finn finished her pint and got to her feet. “So, it was lovely to meet you, Jan. Hopefully I’ll see you again sometime.”

Gillian stopped at the table. “You’re…leaving.”

“Yeah. This is girls’ night. I’m not really girls’ night material. I’ll see you Monday, okay?”

Gillian turned her body away from Jan and lowered her voice. “I thought you had a hotel room?”

“I do. But I think it’s best if we don’t spend the night with one another tonight. I cocked up before, and I just need some space.”

Gillian took a step back, a hint of a scoff heard. “From me. I see.”

“Not necessarily. But the last week has been a lot. And I don’t really want to have this discussion right now while you’re out with your friend…or in public.”

“Okay. See you around, Finn.”

Finn noted the very slight slump in Gillian’s shoulders. She hated disappointing people. She never wanted to disappoint Gillian. She only wanted to give her anything she needed. “Y-yeah. Um…sorry.” Finn scratched at the back of her neck, looking down at her boots. “Be careful going home later. Be safe and that, you know?”

“I’ll be fine.” Gillian turned her back, effectively dismissing Finn from the conversation. So she would do exactly what it meant, and she would leave.

“Bye, Jan. Take care.”

* * *

Gillian sat quietly, thankful that she had a moment to herself while Jan was at the bar. Finn had left suddenly, and now Gillian felt terrible. They’d just enjoyed themselves—a lot—and then Gillian went and found an almost kiss on the cheek offensive. There was tension in the air, and Gillian didn’t like it.

Actually, she loathed it.

“So, are you going to tell me what that was all about?” Jan asked as she lowered another bottle of wine to the table. “Finn left in a hurry.”

“I’m not one hundred percent sure, but I think it could have been my fault.”

“Why?”

“Finn almost kissed me on the cheek, and it was quite obvious that I wasn’t impressed.”

Jan tutted and shook her head. “I’m sure it was a simple mistake. No need to make the poor girl feel terrible about it. You should be thrilled someone like Finn is interested in you.”

Honestly, thrilled was the last thing that came to mind. This evening, Gillian felt herself slipping towards the point of no return. As she’d dropped to her knees and tasted Finn, she knew she wanted more. Not more sex…but more of Finn. “I feel terrible about it.”

“So call her. Ask if you can see her.”

Gillian chewed on the inside of her mouth, twisting her wine glass on the table. “She said she needs some space.”

“You were supposed to spend the night with her, weren’t you?” Jan dipped her head, offering a small smile in Gillian’s direction. “And she’s just blown you off.”

“Yes, I was supposed to spend the night with her. And I don’t know, but it does feel that way.” Gillian turned in her seat, facing Jan. “Maybe I’m too overbearing. Dave told me I was before I asked for the divorce. Maybe Finn feels the same way. I have been quite full-on for someone who claims that it’s just meaningless sex.”

“First of all, don’t ever use that man’s name in a sentence around me again. And secondly, I think that the way Finn looks at you…she wishes you were more overbearing than you are. And as for you claiming it’s meaningless sex, don’t make me laugh! You’re equally obsessed with one another.”

“Excuse me?”

“Do you not see the way she looks at you, Gillian? God, I’d give anything for someone to look at me like that.”

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