I raised my chin and sneered. ‘I think you’ll find, if you do your research properly, that Fin met meafterthe issues arose with you and his fiancée. And being of, how did you put it, social standing, doesn’t make you a decent person, does it? I think you are both evidence of that fact. Now, I’m going to the bathroom, so unless you would like me to call security, I suggest you get out of my way and allow me to pass.’
Campbell’s lip curled and he stepped aside. ‘Think about what I said. If you remove yourself from his life I may consider reinstating his inheritance. You’d be well advised to do the right thing.’
Without dignifying his request with a response, I bashed into the door and let it slam behind me. Once inside, I let out a long, shaking breath and closed myself in a cubicle. Once behind a locked door, the tears began in earnest. My make-up was ruined without a doubt, and my heart was back to vying for freedom from my chest.
The bastard. The absolute bastard. How dare he look down on me like that?
40
Star
When I left the bathroom, I did so with a cautious glance left and right. Thankfully, Fin’s parents were nowhere to be seen. I had managed to rescue my make-up for the most part, but my eyes were puffy, and I wished I could just walk out and go home.
Suddenly, Fin appeared and was walking towards me. ‘Hey, there you are. Everything okay?’ He frowned as he got closer. ‘You look... you’re pale. Have you been crying?’
My lip began to tremble once again, and I fought back the tears. ‘Oh, no. I’m fine. I somehow managed to get something in my eye. I think it might have been an eyelash. Anyway, it hurt like a mother, and I had to get it out. Oh, the joys of mascara,’ I joked, unable to look him in the eyes for more than a few seconds.
His assessing, concerned gaze told me he didn’t buy it. There was no wonder. Acting was never my strong suit. ‘Come on, Star. You forget how well I can read you. What really happened? Did one of the stuck-up bitches say something to you?’
I sighed deeply, afraid of sounding like a tattle tale. ‘Your parents happened, Fin. Well your dad mostly. But it’s okay. I handled it. Kind of.’
Fin clenched his jaw. ‘The bastard. I’ll—’
‘No, no you’ll do nothing, okay? I know you have my back without you going to make a scene. Let’s just enjoy the night… or at least get through it. Okay? Promise me?’ His frown and ticking jaw belied his inner turmoil but he forced a smile.
He stepped towards me and enveloped me in his arms. ‘No, Star. He can’t do things like that and get away—’
‘Please, Fin. For me. The last thing I want is to get in the middle of this. I don’t want to make a bad situation worse. Please, just drop it, please?’
He clenched his jaw and glanced around, clearly scanning the room for the Hunters. Then he nodded stiffly. ‘Okay. Whatever you say. But if he says anything else I’ll punch him, I swear. He doesn’t get to treat you like shit, Star. No one does. I willalwayshave your back.’ He gripped my hand. ‘Now, come on. Let’s go and have a dance.’
Relief flooded my veins momentarily, but only until the thought of his father and his cronies sniggering at me attempting to be ‘normal’ on the dance floor entered my head.
I pushed myself away from him. ‘Oh, I don’t really feel like it. I think I’ll—’
‘Oh, no you don’t. Come on, you. I need to show you off.’
I rolled my eyes as he dragged me along behind him to where a crowd of people were dancing to Dean Martin’s ‘I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face’. He pulled me into his arms and with one hand at the small of my back and the other clutching my hand, he swept me round the dance floor. A wide, handsome smile graced his angular features, and my heart melted as I gazed up at him. In a short period of time this man had somehow become the centre of my universe. It simultaneously scared and excited me, and I feared for my poor heart.
As the song ended and a rumble of applause traversed the room, he caressed my cheek and bent to kiss me gently on the lips. ‘I think I love you, Star Mendoza. In fact I know I do.’
My breath caught. He had said the words I’d been feeling but dared not utter in case it was too soon. It probablywastoo soon.Muchtoo soon, but I felt it too. My heart soared, and I suddenly felt like I was floating.
He loves me.
Gazing into his cerulean eyes, I allowed my own feelings to take flight as words. ‘I think I love you too, Fin Hunter. In fact, I know I do too.’
He closed his eyes briefly and shook his head. When he opened them again, his gaze was filled with desire. ‘Oh, God. I want to take to you home and show you how much I love you. I wonder if we could escape without anyone noticing. What are the odds, do you think?’
I giggled like a teenager and glanced around surreptitiously. ‘Oh, I think Alasdair would notice. He’s heading our way.’
‘Fin. There you are. I’d like to introduce you to Malcolm McClintock. He’s the managing director of Clarke Estates. Remember I mentioned their involvement with the Inveresk cottages?’
‘Oh, yeah. I remember.’ Fin nodded. He glanced down at me. ‘Would you mind?’
Fear spiked within me at the thought of being left alone. I didn’t wish to experience another encounter with Campbell Hunter. ‘Can I come with you?’
He smiled warmly. ‘Can’t bear to be away from me, eh?’
