Page 18 of Origins
“Alright,” he conceded as he watched my face. “But you only come late at night, when most people are partying. In fact, how can you even stand to be awake before ten in the morning?”
Darn him, he was right.
“The magic of caffeine.” I sipped on my coffee again, as if to prove my point. “Lots and lots of caffeine.”
His lips thinned, but he nodded. However, I could tell from the wary look in his eyes that he knew that I was hiding something. But he seemed inclined to let it drop.
Instead, he pulled out his laptop and opened it—ready to do his technology thing.
That was kind of nonsensical. “Finn, why are you setting up? The library opens in less than ten minutes. Won’t you just move again?”
“Yes,” Finn began typing, “but that’s ten minutes worth of work that I’ve gotten done. I am busy right now, and I’m behind…” His voice trailed off as he frowned at the computer.
He was weird.
“I thought you finished your work for the semester already.”
Finn distractively waved his hand. “It’s not that. Don’t worry, it’s nothing that concerns you. I’m working on family stuff. My mother needed me to check into something. Where did you go last night?”
I ignored his question. “Your mom has you working on corporate work?”
“Something like that.” He glanced up finally, his eyes meeting mine. My heart suddenly jerked in fear—he was displeased. But about what?
After a silent moment the look passed, and he grinned warmly at me. “I’m glad you are here with me anyway,” he said. And in an unexpected move, he shut his laptop and pulled one of my hands into his own. “I work better with you around. You inspire me. I don’t know what I’d do without you, Bianca.”
I almost choked on my breath and my face exploded in heat. This was the side of Finn that always managed to catch me off guard—the one that made me think that I meant as much to him as he did to me.
And every time, I acted like an idiot. “I do? I— I’m glad that I could help.”
“You do,” Finn responded, tracing his thumb over my knuckles. My face grew even warmer at the action, and his grin grew. “We should work together today. Are you going to be in the library all day? Sit with me.”
My warm feelings vanished.
I averted my eyes, unable to stand his intensity. He couldn’t know what I was researching. “Maybe…”
“Maybe?” Finn sounded surprised, and I glanced up and saw the confused look on his face. He let go of my hand. “You don’t want to sit with me?”
He paused, as an expression that I had never witnessed from him before shone in his serious eyes. “Bianca, are you meeting someone else? Have I done something?”
“No!” I vehemently denied, somewhat frightened at the intensity of his reaction. He was being terribly possessive. Especially for someone who has never even asked me to be his girlfriend. After all, I would have remembered if he had done so because it was an event that I had been dreaming about for years.
Or, was he only upset because he was afraid I had replaced him as a friend?
I was so confused.
I nervously fidgeted as I tried to think of a way to redirect his attention. “I have research to do today. In fact, I might not even be here all day. I planned on going back and forth between the library and greenhouses.”
He rested his chin on his fist as he watched me—clearly not convinced. “You are a terrible liar. The greenhouses are on the other side of campus, and you’re wearing a skirt.”
My hand froze as I realized that I was holding that same fabric in question in my fist. Finn was right, of course. I never wore skirts when working in the conservatory. “Um…”
“What have you been up to—today and last night?” Finn was studying me, his eyes demanding answers. “Have you been lying to me about something?”
I was becoming more flustered as the seconds passed. I had to think of something!
He had made his point clear two days ago, and I couldn’t bring upthattopic again. Even outside of meeting Damen, he’d never believe what Damen had said about me being a sensitive. Plus, if he knew that I was involved in anything paranormal—especiallytryingto talk to a ghost—then not only would he get involved, but so would my parents.
I couldn’t go through that confrontation with him again. Even if he—and everyone else—thought it was for my own good. It would break me this time.
