“If she loves you, none of that stuff will bother her. You just need to find the right woman.”
“Where am I going to find this supernatural woman who wants to sign up for this life?” He swept his arm around the room. “And doesn’t care that she’ll never have children of her own?”
“Infertility isn’t a big deal these days. You could adopt or use artificial insemination. Anyway, you can’t decide whether it’s worth it for a woman to be with you or not. That’s her decision. Just give nature a chance to work.” She waved her hand in the air, as if wiping away his objections. “I really don’t understand you, Finn. None of my other CF patients are so fatalistic and self-denying.”
“I can only tell you what’s right for me.” He jutted his chin forward and crossed his arms, daring her to disagree.
From her stiff-lipped expression, he suspected she had a lot more to say, but was holding back. He was glad. He was in no mood to be lectured.
“We’re finished for today,” she said. “You can get down.”
He wondered why Dr. Rheed couldn’t see the truth of his situation, when it was so obvious. She seemed to romanticize the reality of CF, just like his mother and sisters. Only his father took his side, saying he didn’t have to get married if he didn’t want to. But he’d only tell him so privately. “Now keep this between us. I don’t want to upset your mother.”
“You’re as bad as my mother,” Finn said to the doctor, while climbing off the exam table and buttoning his shirt. “I don’t see why I need anyone. I’m perfectly happy living alone.”
“Maybe you should listen to her.”
Why didn’t I keep my mouth shut and let this argument die?
“I’m thirty-three. Kind of late to start listening to Mum.”
“What would it hurt to try going out on a few dates. Think of it this way… at least it would get your mother off your back.”
“I found a better way to get her off my back… I told her I’m dating someone.”
“You lied to her?” She leaned against the wall, folding her arms over her chest. “That’s such a bad idea.”
“I’ve thought it through,” he said, smugly. “All I have to do is break up with my imaginary girlfriend sometime before Christmas when the family gets together.”
“What happens if your mom comes here?”
“No danger. I’ve got a sister in Jersey who just had a baby. If Mum comes this far, she won’t give up time with her grandbaby to visit me in the city. She’ll order me to come see her in Jersey,” he explained, proud of having worked out every possible complication. “And, sadly, my girlfriend won’t be able to get away.”
Dr. Rheed tsked her disapproval. “Another option would be to have a real relationship, so you wouldn’t have to lie. With your money and looks, don’t tell me there aren’t women falling all over you. Isn’t there anyone you wouldn’t mind dating?”
“No,” he answered her question with a tone of finality. “There’s no one.”
Despite his declaration, an image of Laurie pushed into his head, complete with that adorable pout she wore when she was disgruntled. He loved the way she fanned herself when he made her angry. She was so open and guileless, every emotion written on her face for all to see. And unlike most women, she spoke her mind, rather than being deferential.
Yesterday afternoon, he’d stayed at her office for several hours to get her oriented on the fundraiser. He felt bad that Jarrett had been forced to abandon her on the first day of work, but she showed her true grit. She never once complained about the turn of events, only asking a thousand questions and taking meticulous notes, as if she wanted to be certain she never had to ask him for anything again.
The way she argued with him, she almost felt like one of his sisters, except he’d had a few very unbrotherly thoughts about her. Like… how good would it feel to hold her in his arms and kiss those plump lips. He’d quickly squelched those musings, but now he began to wonder again.
Could Dr. Rheed be right? Was it possible things could be different with Laurie? No! A relationship would only lead to disaster. Even if Laurie had the ability to commit to a man like him despite the dark realities of cystic fibrosis, he’d be setting her up to be a young, heartbroken widow.
See what’s happened? After only a few hours with Laurie, I’m wishing for the impossible.
This settled it. Finn had to find a way to escape this trap... to crush these feelings before they had time to take root. He had to pass off this work assignment—it was the only way out. Yesterday, he’d let her talk him into staying on the project, despite his misgivings. What woman had ever been able to influence him in such a skillful manner? That alone should’ve set off the warning bells.
Surely Branson could handle the LA fundraiser, especially if Finn was willing to make a few phones calls on the side. He simply needed to convince Laurie it was the best option, and she would talk Bran into it. And Finn knew exactly how to convince her...
Laurie’s commitment to a daily workout lasted exactly one day. The probability of seeing Finn in the gym provided the perfect excuse to sleep in an extra hour. And she needed it, after her restless night, replaying the previous day’s conversations with Finn. He was so exasperating and stubborn. Yet occasionally, he would say something that sounded suspiciously tender and thoughtful, as if he actually cared about anyone besides himself. And who could sleep with visions of Finn Anderson in their head? Certainly not her.
Why doesn’t my brain have an off button?
Working with Finn after lunch yesterday had been like riding a roller coaster. One minute he was spewing some insulting comment that made her want to stomp on his foot. Then he would make a funny quip that had her laughing in spite of her anger. Either way, it was hard to concentrate on work, and she was glad when he left her alone… kind of.
If she was honest with herself, the room had felt cold and empty without him there, as it did this morning. He’d informed her he’d be out of the office until noon, providing a phony-sounding explanation… something about a friend with medical issues. No doubt he made up the story to avoid being with her any more than absolutely necessary.
Already, she had tons of questions and no one to ask, but Finn. She’d tried to get answers from other employees in the Limitless division, but the ones who’d previously worked with Dara had only participated in the actual event, rather than help with the planning.
Determined to see how much she could get done on her own, she began to plow through the donor list. An entire morning of work left her totally frustrated, as she wasn’t able to speak to a single donor. She had a feeling she needed to send donuts to their efficient personal assistants, a sure way to curry favor with these powerful gatekeepers. She was actually looking up donut shops in Los Angeles when her door burst open and Finn’s head appeared.
“Hey! Got a minute?”
She put a hand over her heart, trying to slow it down. “Gracious. Didn’t your mother teach you any manners? You could at least knock.”
“Sorry.” He tromped into the room, seeming more impatient than sorry. “How much have you gotten done?”
A little coffee sloshed out as he slapped his mug down on her desk.
“Akkk! You spilled on my desk. What are you doing? Pick that up.” She grabbed a tissue from the box on her desk and wiped the liquid, sending him a condemning glare, which he ignored.
“What’s this?” Bending across the desk, he pointed to the computer screen.
“It’s a spreadsheet of everyone who donated last year. I’ve been trying to go through and contact them, but I haven’t made much headway.”
