Ashley hummed and made a mock serious face. ‘We are very busy and important people.’
‘So busy and important that we’re at home on Saturday night of the Easter long weekend?’
‘You forgot one critical word, Finn. Together. We’re at home together.’
She held his gaze for a second, then rose from the couch. ‘Don’t go anywhere.’ She walked to the bathroom.
Finn exhaled. He didn’t realise he’d been holding his breath, but he sucked in such a lungful now that it made him giddy.Fuck.She’s going to try to have sex with me.
It wasn’t that he didn’t think he’d enjoy sleeping with Ashley. It was just that sex was so incredibly complicated. Not the act itself, of course. The repercussions. The implications. The possibilities. The catastrophes. The impacts. The betrayal …
He was there again for a moment. There in the car with her. There together as one. Fully alive, yet on the brink of death. Complete, whole and at peace. Her words whispered in his ear:It’s you and me, Finley. The warriors. Joined for now and all time.
Ashley emerged from the bathroom. She was wearing black leggings and a tight black T-shirt. Her outfit was so casual, yet so shockingly intimate at the same time. Like she didn’t need to pretend with Finn. Like they were comfortable just being with each other.
She sat beside him on the couch and stared into his eyes.
He held her gaze. Felt his mouth go dry. Swallowed hard.
She smiled. Edged closer to him.
Finn tensed. Every muscle. Every nerve.
Then she tucked her head under his arm like a cat wanting to be stroked.
She snuggled into his bulk, curling her legs up underneath her and resting her head against Finn’s chest. He felt the soft comfort of her body against his own.
‘I feel safe with you,’ Ashley whispered. ‘Safe enough to stay here forever.’
Finn placed his hand on her jutting hip. Relaxed his body, letting them mould together. He breathed a sigh of relief.
Surprised at his own disappointment.
Chapter Twenty-two
Sunday 9 April
Kelly hadn’t slept. At all.
She had lain in bed, desperately exhausted but unable to stop her mind. Over and over and over. Finn, Ashley, Eli. Over and over and over.
She had finally given up at six a.m. and gone for a walk, something she couldn’t remember ever doing. Who has time to go for a walk? But she couldn’t focus sufficiently to study and in the empty loneliness of her apartment, she didn’t know what else to do. So she walked briskly enough to work up a sweat and was appalled at how soon she was out of breath. Too soon for a woman in her late twenties. Her own health was just one more thing she was failing at.
When she returned home, it was a little after seven, so she was surprised when her doorbell rang. Even more surprised when it rang again before she could reach the intercom. Surely only Finn would come over this early on a Sunday morning? Easter Sunday at that. He must be in the throes of a panic attack.
The thought was a sliver of light in her darkness. A sliver that made her simultaneously thankful and guilty. He needed her. But she shouldn’t be happy about his pain.
Kelly picked up the receiver and the screen came into focus.
It wasn’t Finn. It was the possibly insane hospital communications adviser.
Kelly’s stomach became an empty wasteland. ‘Juliana?’ she said.
‘Let me in.’
Kelly hit the button to open the door to the building. Moments later, Juliana was knocking on her door. Then she was striding into Kelly’s apartment, huffing and puffing. Literally huffing and puffing. Pacing back and forth in front of her couch. Not making eye contact.
‘What’s happened?’ Kelly said, barely able to ask the question, but unable to stand the tension.
