Page 139 of Twist of Fate
He’s dressed in a dark navy suit and a crisp white shirt. His nearly black hair does indeed look good today—but I tend to think that most days. He steps up to the mic and flashes the crowd a warm smile until his eyes find mine, and it turns a bit wicked.
My pulse quickens. My knees weaken.
“Can I chastise you for objectifying the boss now?” Damien whispers.
“Shut up.”
I hear him snicker as Finn greets the crowd and introduces the board members on stage. The ones he called late last night to lay down his demands—otherwise, he would walk. Additional staff, including executive positions and support staff. Clearly, he got his way.
It seemed like a simple solution, but Finn had been raised to believe he had to shoulder all the responsibility like his father had. It was a difficult legacy to follow, an illusion built on lies and one he no longer had to bear.
“O’Connell Tours is a family business. My grandfather founded it to share his love for his country—and to make some money. At the time, the family coffers were a little low at the time.” Everyone laughs. “We’ve grown a lot since then, and we’re set to grow even more over the next year or so, thanks to Nora and her team.”
Oh, okay. Everyone is looking at us and clapping now.
I look up at him, and he smirks as my cheeks flame red. Jerk.
“But we’ll always be that small family company that wanted to share our love for Ireland, and we do this by staying connected. In the coming weeks, we’ll roll out additional positions and programs to ensure that every department and employee feels supported in their role here—from the executive branch all the way to those of you putting in the miles every week on tours.”
He continues to introduce a few individuals who have already been promoted from within to fill new executive positions.
Damien leans over again. “That bloke on the right.” He gestures with his head. “I took his job.”
This is why Damien is in such a good mood. Last night, he and I lost our jobs. Today, he was offered a new one at the company—a better one, according to him. Everything is falling into place. Including?—
The crowd erupts in cheers and applause as my eyes snap to the stage. Shit, I missed the ending.
Finn gives a quick wave and jogs off the stage, and like a magnet, I move toward him.
“Okay, bye!” Shea shouts playfully. “See you later!”
I don’t bother looking back. They know I have tunnel vision for my man right now. The need to go hug him and tell him how proud I am of him is fierce.
I didn’t think we’d ever get here—this place where I can envision a future with him.
The crowd is enormous, and I find myself getting tangled up in it as I try to reach him. Before I can cover even a few feet, my phone buzzes in my pocket.
Finn
Meet me in my office.
I look up, meet his gaze across the room, grin, and then bolt for the nearest exit.
* * *
Finn
I’ve been standing in my office for five minutes now.
Did she get lost? Because I’m fairly certain I saw her bolt out of the lobby…before me.
I lean against the mahogany desk, one long leg crossed over the other as I stare at the open door. My gaze wanders around the dark paneling and settles on those stupid crystal decanters.
I gaze at it for a beat longer. “Right, okay then.” I twist around and press the intercom button on the phone. “Stella, do we have any boxes?”
“Boxes? Um, let me check.”
“Great, thanks.”
