Page 55 of Study You

“That’s fantastic news, love.” Carol shooed Finn away. “Go. See what’s going on, and then make that home beautiful.”

“Yeah. I will. I’ll just let her know when I can get there.”

I can be there in about an hour if that’s okay?

Finn chewed her lip when Gillian read the message and immediately started to respond.

That’s perfect. I’ll see you there.

Okay, this had to be good. Surely Gillian would have just texted her and told her no if she didn’t want Finn’s expertise. Whatever was going on, Finn would find out soon enough.

“Looks like it’s happening, Mum.” Finn winked and turned towards the kitchen. “I think that calls for a brew, don’t you?”

“Oh, go on. I’ll have an extra sugar in mine.”

* * *

Gillian paced back and forth in the main living room, chewing on the end of her pen. Finn’s quote had been great, possibly less than Gillian imagined it should be, but the thought of seeing Finn was beginning to concern her. She knew there was a conversation that needed to be had—Finn had been open and honest, so Gillian should at least do the same—but she didn’t know where to begin. She still hadn’t sorted it out in her own head.

Did she want Finn? Fuck, yes. It was all she thought about.

Could she risk that deeper connection…for it to only fall apart? No, she didn’t believe she could. Maybe Gillian was a coward, but it beat being destroyed again.

She could destroy you…or she could make you incredibly happy.

“Hello?” Finn’s gentle voice called out from the hallway. “Gillian, are you here?”

“Y-yes. I’m in the living room.” She brushed down her blouse, slipping her mask in place. When Finn walked into the room, looking more handsome than any time before, Gillian almost caved. She almost strode across the room and kissed Finn. “H-hi.”

“Hey. Sorry I couldn’t get here right away.”

Gillian couldn’t mistake the authenticity of that apology. “It’s okay. I’ve only been here for five minutes myself.”

“Okay, good.” Finn stepped further into the room, puffing out her cheeks. “So?”

Gillian held up the paper Finn had given her on campus this morning. “Is this quote a final total? It seems…low.”

“I’ve mostly given you a price for the materials. I’ve cut my own labour fee by fifty percent, and I’ll try and get as much of it done without needing any help from a few mates of mine.”

“You’ve…cut your own labour fee? Why?”

Finn shrugged. “Because we know one another. Okay, we may not be friends…or even acquaintances anymore, but…whatever.”

“Finn, you can’t do that. This is a lot of work to take on, and I want to pay you fairly.” Had Finn written this quote with what they’d had together in mind? It certainly felt that way. That only made Gillian feel worse than she already did. Finn really was a wonderful soul. “Please, give me a realistic quote.”

“Is the job mine?” Finn asked, a brow quirked.

“Yes. Of course it is.”

“Then that’s the quote.” Finn shifted ever so slightly, studying Gillian. “This whole issue between us isn’t going to spill over, is it? I’m going to be around a lot, Gillian. Whenever I’m not working on assignments, I’ll likely be here. Are you cool with that?”

God, Gillian could hardly wait for those days. Finn may have ended it, but Gillian could still appreciate her from afar, couldn’t she? She could still lie in bed longing for those hands, that tongue, the…stop! “I’m cool with it.” Gillian wrapped a hand around the back of her neck, trying to rub out the tension she felt while cringing at her use of the word cool. Who the hell was she becoming? Is that really important right now? She needed to stay on track here. “And…are you okay being here?”

“Sure. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I think we can both agree that it could be awkward in the beginning. I’d love to give you this work, but if you’re going to be uncomfortable, I understand.”

“Do I…look uncomfortable?” Finn laughed, relaxing her shoulders. There she went with that confident stance. Fuck!

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