Page 17 of Only Ever Yours
Can I come and see you?
Finn
Yeah, but I’m in month-end accounts hell. I don’t know how much use I’ll be.
Well, I might be able to help with that. I’ll be there soon.
An hour later, I entered the garage. I could see Jase working on a car, his head bowed in concentration as he fiddled with an engine. He wore a pair of thick-looking cargo trousers and a navy T-shirt that clung to his muscular physique. My gaze rested on his arse, and I swallowed. I really shouldn’t ogle him at work.
I shouldn’t ogle him at all.
“Is my brother here?”
In a carbon copy of what had happened when I’d arrived the previous Thursday, Jase moved too quickly and hit his head on the open bonnet of the car.
“What the fuck?” he hissed as he turned to see me, rubbing the back of his head. “This is getting to be a habit. You need a fucking warning bell or something.”
“Sorry. Finn said he was here.” I stepped towards Jase.
He jerked his chin to the office space at the back of the building. “He’s in there. Doing paperwork or admin if the cursing is anything to go by.” He rolled his eyes. “Happens every month.”
“Thanks.” I started walking to the office, then looked over my shoulder. “Oh, Jase? I’ll have a peppermint tea if you’re putting the kettle on.”
I swear he growled as I walked away.
Knocking on the door, I leaned against the frame and watched Finn as he rubbed his hand over his face, the laptop on the desk surrounded by paper.
“Everything okay?”
Finn’s gaze flipped up, eyes tired. “Yeah, it’s just… I can’t get this to add up.” He leaned back in his chair and blew out a breath. “Any chance you could take a look? You were always much better with figures than me.”
“Actually, that’s kind of what I wanted to talk to you about.”
His brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“I think Jase is bringing us some drinks, so I’ll wait until he comes in.” I dropped my bag on the floor and sank into the chair on the other side of the desk.
“Jase is what?” Finn looked even more confused.
As if on cue, Jase appeared with a mug in each hand.
“Coffee for you, mate.” He placed one close to Finn and the other near me. “And the princess’s peppermint tea. Don’t think I’m going to be making a habit of it, though.” Gently, he slapped my jean-clad thigh, his touch making me jump and wriggle in my seat.
“Right. Thanks, Jase.” Finn looked more confused than ever as Jase left the room. “What is going on?”
Taking a small sip of the too-hot tea, followed by asteadying breath, I started to talk. “I don’t think I’m going back to London.”
“I’m sorry, what? I thought I heard you say you weren’t going back to London.”
I sucked in my lips. “That’s if you agree with what I’m about to propose.” Reaching into my bag, I pulled out the violet-coloured notebook I’d been writing bullet points in after I’d watched the TV programme.
“Uh-oh, there’s a notebook involved. It must be serious.” Finn grinned.
“Shut up. I made a few notes, so I had the killer points to convince you with.” I shook the notebook at him, trying to cover up my shaking hands. I didn’t know why I was so nervous; this was my brother, and he was hardly likely to say no to me.
Ha, who am I kidding? If he hates the idea, I’m back to square one.
“You’re running two businesses instead of one, and you’ve pretty much admitted that the back end isn’t your strong suit.” Finn opened his mouth as if to speak, but I held up my hand. “You know I’ve been doing a lot of this kind of financial stuff, project budgets, expenses, accounting, project planning. So, I could take over running that side of things while you concentrate on the operational side of things. When was the last time you did a PT session? Or got your hands dirty fixing a car?”
