Page 20 of Twist of Fate
“Everyone, meet Finn Larkin-O’Connell.”
O’Connell?His last name is O’Connell.
What the actual fuck?
SIX
Finn
PRESENT
Aisling Farrell.
Aisling fucking Farrell.
To say I haven’t thought about her in the last two years would be a lie. I can’t count how many times I’ve strolled down the streets of Dublin, wondering if today would be the day I’d run into her again. For months after she left, I secretly scanned tour rosters, both hoping and dreading to see her name among them.
I tried not to think of her. I didn’t deserve to see her sweet smile when I closed my eyes, but late at night, my mind would inevitably wander back to that fateful week in May when everything felt possible.This isn’t over, I promised her.
But it was a promise I hadn’t kept.
And now, here she is. Sitting in the conference room of my family’s business.
As an employee…ouremployee?
This can’t be a coincidence.
As my gaze settles on her, I strive to absorb every detail before I look away. Unlike the hundreds of tour guests before her, Aisling is burned into my memory like a brand. Nothing can erase her from my thoughts.
Believe me, I’ve tried.
Her hair seems to be longer. Honey copper curls tumble down her back, and I instantly remember what it feels like to have those soft locks wrapped around my fist as I angle her mouth just right?—
Fuck, don’t go there.
Her blue eyes meet mine, and my knees nearly buckle.
A combination of guilt, longing, and lust hit me square in the gut.
God, those eyes.
Focus, Finn.
I drag my gaze away from the pure betrayal etched on her features. “Hi, everyone. Glad you all could come aboard. We’re thrilled to have you,” I say, desperately trying to slip back into that polished work persona I’ve honed over the years. But it’s fucking impossible. I’m too rattled. How is she here? “And we’re eager to see what you come up with over the next few months.”
I usually introduce myself personally to each new hire. I shake their hand and thank them for joining us. I ask them about their lives and passions. But right now, the room feels like its walls are closing in around me, and I need out—now.
I quickly come up with the first excuse I can think of, mumbling something about a meeting and running late, and I get the hell out of there.
I can feel Aisling’s stunning blue eyes burning a hole in my back as I flee.
* * *
Back in the safety of my office, I shut the door behind me and take a seat at the desk that once belonged to my father. The scent of worn leather fills the air as I lean back in the chair that has occupied this spot for nearly as long as I’ve been alive.
My da may be a rich old bastard, but he’s a sentimental one. Once he gets attached to something, he has a hard time letting it go. Unless it happens to be his only son. When it came to me, he never seemed to have a problem cutting ties.
I take a deep breath as my eyes sweep around the office. Everything in here is still his, down to the picture frames on the mahogany shelves and the crystal decanter from Waterford.
