Page 53 of Study You

Finn smacked Deena’s arm and winked. “Keep that up, and we’ll be best friends by the end of the week.” As they both laughed, Finn spied Gillian out of the corner of her eye. “Can you give me a minute?”

“Yeah, sure.”

This was it. The first time she would speak to Gillian since that night. The night Finn wished she could take back whenever she lay in bed thinking about Gillian. The night she should have realised would be the last…and felt Gillian against her one more time. The night that caused the last week to be so fucking miserable. Still, Finn had a job to do and bills to pay. It may have taken her longer than expected to pluck up the courage to speak to Gillian, but here she was…about to do so.

She cleared her throat and caught up with Gillian as she walked towards the exit of the cafeteria. “Gillian?”

Gillian spun around, her eyes a little swollen. “Yes?”

Oh, God. Finn didn’t enjoy seeing that sadness in such beautiful eyes. She swallowed, aware that she had made Gillian feel this way. “Hi, uh…” Finn took an envelope from her back pocket, playing down the severity of emotion written all over Gillian’s face. She couldn’t bear that look. It was painful to witness. “I just wanted to give you the quote. It’s itemised as best as it can be, and that’s pretty much what you’re looking at so long as I don’t encounter any issues along the way.”

“Oh. Right.” Gillian looked down at the envelope, her eyes cast on Finn’s tattooed hand. “Thank you.”

“I should have gotten this to you sooner. I’m sorry. But um…I’m only here until midday tomorrow, so I was planning to get there after lunch to prep what I can. So, if you could let me know whether you’re happy with the quote, then that would be great. I can have some of the materials dropped off tomorrow evening before the guy I know closes business for the day.”

Gillian held up the envelope. “Let me take a look at it, and I’ll get back to you by the end of the day. Would that be okay?”

Finn smiled. She hoped Gillian wouldn’t take back her offer of work. “Sure. Take whatever time you need. Just shoot me a text and let me know if we’re good with everything or if you want to go elsewhere.”

“I will. Thank you, Finn.”

Finn lifted a hand as she half turned on her heel. “No problem at all. I’ll talk to you soon.” Gillian slowly walked away, but Finn couldn’t take her eyes off her. “Hey, Gillian?” Gillian turned back, her bottom lip trembling. “It’s good to see you. Take it easy, yeah?”

Gillian offered nothing more than a single nod and left.

This was going to be difficult to navigate, but time would heal things. It often did. Finn made her way back to Deena, trying to keep her body language as neutral as possible. “Sorry about that. Needed to give her some paperwork.”

“All good. Drink your coffee before we’re late for the seminar.”

Chapter 18

If Finn had to sit through one more quiz show, she was going to rip her eyeballs out. These were the nights she hated. Sitting at home, terrible TV, zero conversation. She threw the control to the couch and yawned as she got to her feet. “Mum, can I get you anything before I head up and finish some work I’ve been doing?”

Carol shifted in the bed and smiled. “No, love. But thanks. Your dad should be home soon.”

And what exactly is he going to do? Fall through the door as usual?

“Okay, well, I’m waiting on a call about a job I might be taking on. You’ll be okay if I need to pop out for a while?” Finn wouldn’t need to pop out for anything related to Gillian’s new place, she didn’t actually expect to hear from her, but it would give her an excuse if she wanted to head out and get some air.

“I’ll be okay. Don’t worry.” Carol reached out her hand as Finn took her phone from the coffee table and started towards the door. “Come here, Finley.”

Finn crossed the room, rolling her head on her shoulders as she tried to stave off another yawn. She wasn’t even tired, not really. Mentally drained, maybe…but her body wasn’t feeling that way. No, her body wanted to do something exciting. Seemed it was becoming used to not sitting around lately.

“You know you mentioned those care people? The ones who can help me dress and wash and things?”

“Yeah. The care agency.”

“Well, I think I’d like to give it a try. No harm in doing so.”

Finn hadn’t realised just how much she needed to hear that. Well, she did, but when the likelihood of ever hearing her mum agree to a care agency was practically zero, it was a shock. Finn almost wanted to squeal. Did this mean…she could have a life? An actual life that was interesting and fun and…potentially good for her love life?

Wow.

Still, she didn’t want to get her hopes up just yet. It could all go horribly wrong. “That’s great, Mum. Let me know when you’re ready, and I’ll look into some agencies. I only want the best for you. I hope you know that.”

“I know, love.” Carol squeezed Finn’s hand. “And I trust that you know what you’re doing.”

“Can I ask…why you decided to try it?”

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