Page 53 of Just Do It
‘So how long has this been going on?’ Bella asked, clearly not intending to give up that line of questioning just yet. There was a hint of something steely beneath the apparently jovial tone.
‘Not long,’ Finn and I replied at the same time, although my response had a touch more hurry to it. The jaw muscle twitched again.
‘Well,’ Bella said, turning to me. ‘You kept that quiet. Does Inis know?’
‘Yes,’ Finn answered before I had a chance to.
It took all the effort I had not to spin my head towards him.Does she?
‘Oh…’ Bella said, momentarily knocked off her stride before changing tack. ‘I guess it’s just me that’s been kept in the dark.’ She turned to her date. ‘This is Finn. He’s working at the museum.’
Friedrich’s eyebrows rose the smallest amount as he finally deigned to speak. ‘Not like you to mix business and pleasure, Lizzie.’
I liked Bella but I’d had just about enough of her stirring while she was stood there with my ex. I didn’t care who Friedrich – or Bella – dated but being made to feel like I was doing something wrong was getting on my nerves.
‘And how did you two meet?’ I asked with a smile.
Bella faltered for a moment.
‘I contacted Bella.’ Friedrich announced airily. ‘I remembered her from when you and I were together.’
Beside me, Finn shifted his not inconsiderable weight and I felt his glance slide to me.
‘I expect you heard I got the lead on a dig next year.’
Of course I had, just as he would have heard it was one I’d applied for.
‘I did. Congratulations.’
‘Thank you. I’m putting together my team.’
‘I see.’ I wasn’t the slightest bit interested in what he did and right now just wanted to get away from both of them. What had been a lovely evening now had a mile wide streak of discomfort and awkwardness running through it. The sooner we left, the sooner Finn and I could attempt to claw back the cosy, romantic atmosphere that had surrounded us prior to my trip to the Ladies. Although I got the feeling he would have questions. ‘Well, we’d better—’
‘That’s why I contacted Bella.’
Bella threw him a wide smile, snuggling closer. To my surprise, he accepted the attention. He’d never been one to show emotions publicly. PDAs were common and unnecessary he’d told me once when I’d been excited about something and given him a hug when he’d met me from work.
I knew I should leave now. But he’d dangled the worm, knowing I wouldn’t be able to resist biting and be reeled in.
‘Oh?’
‘Yes. You always said she was a useful and knowledgeable archaeologist. You were absolutely right.’
‘I’m going to be on the team!’ Bella squealed excitedly, unable to contain her delight.
She missed the sharp look Friedrich threw her as she broke the news before he could.
‘Oh…’ For a moment I was lost for words.
‘Inis doesn’t know yet. I’m going to speak to her tomorrow.’
‘I hope you don’t mind,’ he said, a cool smile accompanying the words.
Mind you poaching my staff, and taking them to a restaurant you refused to take me to?
‘Not at all,’ I said. ‘It’s a great opportunity, Bella. Congratulations.’
‘Thanks. I was going to tell you tomorrow too. Obviously.’
