Laurie’s jaw hurt. She’d never laughed so much in her life. The evening continued as before, except for the conspicuous absence of conversation about Finn’s desperate need for a spouse and children. Now their nonstop banter had no bite in it, and their witty exchanges kept her in stitches. She was actually sad when the evening was over. For one thing, she’d now seen yet another side of Finn Anderson—thoughtful, sweet and funny. As Susan would say, she “rather fancied” this new Finn.
No one made mention of having her play the piano after dinner, so the pressure was off. Though she was dying to play it, she’d prefer not to have an audience for her rusty performance. Even more enticing was the thought of having Finn perform a personal concert, and a small part of her hoped he might suggest it when he drove her home.
Earlier, he’d held her hand longer than necessary. What did that mean? Was it possible he felt a bit of attraction? Surely not. What would a man like Finn Anderson, one of Now Magazine’s most eligible US bachelors, ever see in her? Thank goodness she wasn’t attracted to him.
Okay, I admit I think he’s good-looking. But who doesn’t? That doesn’t mean I like the man. I’m not going to fall all over him just because he managed to be charming for one evening.
They might’ve stayed for hours, laughing and chatting over decaf coffee, but Lucy woke up and decided she was ready to eat. As they made a hasty exit before the baby’s wails caused any further disruption, Laurie received another round of enthusiastic hugs.
Exiting the restaurant, Katie pulled Laurie away from the other two and murmured. “You know, that speech you gave about Finn was awfully passionate.”
“I’m sorry about that, but somebody had to take up for him.”
“No, no. I’m not upset about it.” Katie shifted the baby carrier to the other arm, so she could lean closer and whisper, “But I wondered where all that passion came from.”
Laurie winced. Controlling her temper was one of her weak points. “That’s the way I am about everything, I guess. I get worked up pretty easy, and sometimes I lose it.”
“Is that all it was?” Katie’s lips curved into a mischievous expression Laurie had begun to recognize. “Because one would almost think you had feelings for my brother. Something beyond that of an employee for her boss.”
Before Laurie could think of a reply, Katie was headed down the steps toward the taxi, her tinkling laughter floating behind her.
“Ready to go?” Finn gestured toward the waiting limo.
Negotiating the steps in her heels, she was grateful to have his arm for support.
And that’s the only reason I like holding his arm. It has nothing to do with me having feelings for him.
“Yeah, right,” she mumbled her inner argument aloud.
“What did you say?” Finn asked.
His deadly blue eyes sought hers, shining with an emotion resembling genuine concern.
Stop looking at me like that.
She shook her head. “Nothing. Just talking to myself.”
Inside the limo, he gave the chauffer orders to drive to her apartment. He didn’t suggest stopping by his place to see his Steinway, and she didn’t have the nerve to mention it.
Halfway to her place, she heard a click, and a dim light filled the passenger’s compartment.
“I have to tell you something, and I wanted us to be able to see each other,” Finn explained.
Her heart sped up, wondering what he might say. It must be something serious. Or something special. In the warm glow, his eyes drew her into their web. She couldn’t look away.
“Okay.” Her voice came out breathy, so she covered by pretending to cough. “I’m listening.”
“What you did tonight… defending me to my mum and my sister… that was amazing.”
“Maybe I should’ve minded my own business.”
“No. I’m glad you did it. It was brave and selfless.”
His frank admiration shot a thrill through her system.
“What I don’t understand is why you put up with them in the first place. Why don’t you cut them off when they act like that?”
“Believe me, we’ve had this discussion more times than you can imagine. But don’t judge them too harshly.” His fingers pushed his hair into an attractive disarray. “All that fussing is how they show love. My family is great, 99.9 percent of the time.”
“I can see that,” she said, a bit jealously.
“I put you in this awkward position tonight, making you pretend to be my girlfriend, and yet you defended me to my family. I didn’t ask for it—you did it on your own.” He shook his head as if he still couldn’t believe she’d stood up for him. “Those things you said… it made me feel something… something I’ve never felt with a woman before.”
“Okay…” She could barely hear him for the blood pounding in her ears.
Oh my goodness. He’s going to tell me he likes me.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Laurie… I think we can be real friends.”
CHAPTER 7
Finn stretched out on the couch in Branson’s office like a patient in a psychiatrist’s office.
“I don’t know what else to do, Bran. I’ve tried everything to get along with her. Really, I have.”
“Somehow, you have to make it work.” Bran locked his fingers together and extended his hands over his head, palms-out, cracking his knuckles. He followed it up with a neck-popping head-tilt to each side. “All three of us have taken a share of Jarrett’s workload. And after yesterday’s news, we all have to do our part.”
