‘Sounds great. I’m seeing her tonight so I’ll mention it then.’
‘Great stuff.’ He turned to leave. ‘Oh, and Fin, I heard about the work you did on the Henderson case. The ideas you came up with really turned things around. It just shows you what a new perspective on a case can achieve. Well done, son.’ And with that, he left.
I sat there, wide-eyed and with a knot of excitement in my stomach. Once again feeling that I had done Alasdair and the company proud made me feel on top of the world.
I could get used to this.
* * *
I knocked on Star’s door on the evening of our next date, and when it opened, I was greeted by a stern-faced man. Confusion briefly washed over me until I remembered she mentioned her male roommate and best friend, and even though Star and I had been seeing each other a while now, I was yet to make his acquaintance.
I smiled warmly and held out my hand. ‘You must be Alec. It’s good to finally meet you.’
He seemed reluctant but shook my hand. ‘Fin.’ My name fell from his lips as though it tasted bad. ‘You’d better come in.’
I frowned and nodded before stepping past him through the doorway and into the lounge area. It was a Victorian place like mine. Tastefully decorated in creams and browns with the original fireplace still intact. A wine coloured tapestry rug sat in front of it and huge pillar candles stood where a fire should be. The artwork covering the walls was a combination of renaissance era prints in ornate gold frames and the juxtaposition of Star’s photographs of the castle and the Scott monument. There was a stunning one I had never seen before of the forth rail bridge silhouetted against a night sky as fireworks exploded in the distance. That one really took my breath away. I had never actually considered the old criss-crossed steel structure a thing of beauty but clearly Star had worked her magic once again. As I glanced round my unfamiliar surroundings I figured the coffee shop must have been doing well for Alec to afford something like this so close to the city.
I realised I hadn’t spoken and turned to find Alec watching me. I cleared my throat. ‘Is Star ready?’
‘She won’t be long. Have a seat.’ He gestured to the couch and my stomach knotted, I was like a teenager meeting a date’s father for the first time. My palms began to sweat and I wiped them down my jeans. I sat as instructed and peered up at him where he hovered over me.
Alec snickered. ‘Do I make you nervous?’
I narrowed my eyes.What a bizarre question to ask of another adult. ‘No, not nervous. I just feel a little hostility coming from you and I’m wondering why.’Nothing like being honest.
He folded his arms across his chest. ‘Let’s just say I didn’t appreciate the way you treated my best friend after your firstdate. And it worries me that you’re stickin’ around, and if you’re planning to do the same again.’
By first date, I knew he meant our almost one night stand, and it sort of explained why he was being so antsy. I nodded and smirked. ‘Okay, so you’re giving me the big brother talk?’
His frown deepened. ‘I don’t think it’s funny. Star is averyspecial person. She has a heart of gold, and she deserves the best. She deserves to be respected and loved, Fin. Not tossed out like trash.’
I stood to face him, feeling that I needed to be on equal footing. ‘Look, Alec. I know I messed up the first time around, okay? But, not that it’s really any of your business...’ I lowered my voice in the hope that the confession I was about to make was only heard by him. I wasn’t ready to confess it in my own actualwords to the object of my affections. ‘But I think I’m falling for her. No... IknowI am. Sheisspecial. You’re right. And I feel like crap about how I reacted after our first encounter, but I’ve been going through a really difficult time lately. I won’t bore you with the details but suffice it to say, I realised my mistake and I’m ready to do anything it takes to not hurt her again.’
Suddenly, he stepped towards me, and I flinched, ready to strike back, but instead he grappled me into a hug. ‘I knew it. I bloodyknewit.’ He slapped my back and I stood there for a moment before returning the hug. He pulled away, and with his hands resting on my shoulders and sincerity in his eyes, he pleaded, ‘Just don’t break her heart, okay?’
I hoped my eyes held the sincerity I felt. ‘I don’t intend to.’
‘What’s going on here? Are you trying to steal my man, Alec McVey?’ Star’s beautiful voice was filled with humour.
Alec laughed and slapped me on the back, hard. ‘No, Twinkle. Just warning him that if he hurts you, I’ll open a large can of whoop ass on him.’ He winked at me and I returned his friendly slap on the back with one of my own—maybe using a little too much force.
31
Star
The strange atmosphere between Alec and Fin seemed to dissipate, and I was relieved to see them laughing and joking together as I pulled on my boots. When I was ready, Fin and I left the apartment under the watchful gaze of my best friend.
As we exited the building, Fin’s voice broke the silence. ‘Sheesh, he’s pretty intense, eh?’
Dread washed over me and I stopped. ‘Oh, God. What did he say to you? I knew he’d said something. Tell me.’
Fin stopped, turned to face me, and placed his hands on my upper arms. Smiling he told me, ‘Nothing. It’s fine. He just wants you to be happy and to not get hurt. I completely respect that.’
I lowered my head. ‘He really did threaten you, didn’t he?’ I couldn’t make eye contact with him. How embarrassing. I was going to kill Alec for this.
He tilted my chin up so I met his concerned gaze once more. ‘Look, don’t worry. I didn’t take it seriously. He’s a decent guy and he has your best interests at heart. I’m glad of the fact.’
‘Ugh! He’s so overbearing. He seems to think he’s taking my dad’s place or something. It’s ridiculous, Fin.’ I thankfully stopped short of stamping my foot like an errant teenager.
