Page 42 of Just Do It
‘So why are you complaining?’
‘Who said I was complaining? You just don’t need to fuss over me.’
‘Maybe I wanted to.’ The words came out without thought and for a moment, both of us just looked at each other.
‘You seem surprised,’ Finn said, his voice gentle, but with a hint of enquiry.
‘It’s not that. It’s just that I’m not used to it. I’ve never really been in this situation before.’
‘Previous boyfriend didn’t get squished in the rugby scrum too often then?’
I remembered Friedrich’s complete disdain for anything sport-related.
‘He wasn’t really the sporty type.’
‘And what if you were ill?’
‘I’ve never really been one to make a big deal of being poorly. My parents were quite serious academics so I tended to get on with things. Luckily.’ I leant forward and touched the coffee table. ‘Touch wood, illness isn’t something I’ve had to deal with a lot.’
Finn was frowning. ‘They felt their work was more important than the health of their daughter?’
‘No! Not at all. That came across wrong. I just meant they’re not the fussy kind which is fine with me. I hate being fussed over anyway.’
‘Yeah, I think I’ve already sussed that out. But just to let you know, if you are poorly, I will be fussing.’
‘You will not!’ I said, laughing.
‘Try and stop me.’ He bent his head and nuzzled my neck then moved to kiss my temple. I knew I wouldn’t try to stop him and the feeling that somebody might want to take care of me when I felt rough was a new experience. Friedrich had been even less interested than my parents were when I was ill. They had always cared about me which is why I’d been in such a rush to correct Finn. I didn’t want him thinking badly of them. But Friedrich was a different matter. He really had no interest when anyone was under the weather; his disregard wasn’t just limited to me. His excuse was that he didn’t know what to do but it might have been nice if he’d tried on the odd occasion. Still, that was all in the past now. I pushed myself up on the sofa a little more.
‘What do you feel like for dinner?’
Finn slid one muscular arm around me and pulled me tight against his hard body. ‘I feel like ordering a takeaway so that you don’t have to go anywhere.’
I snuggled into him. ‘Fine with me.’
The cosy bedroom looked like a small grenade had gone off in it as I tried on the fifth outfit, which had also been the first. I turned this way and that in the mirror, stepped into my shoes, yanked at the dress and was about to change out of it again when the doorbell rang.
I sucked in a deep breath then blew it out. ‘I guess this is what I’m wearing then,’ I told my reflection then hurried down the stairs.
‘Hi,’ I said, wrapping my coat around me as I opened the door to Finn.
‘Ready to go?’
‘Yep.’ I leaned over and grabbed my clutch bag from the side before stepping out and locking the door behind me.
Finn bent to kiss me, a little less far than usual, thanks to the heels I was wearing. His hand rested on my hip as he glanced down.
‘Nice shoes.’ The look in his eyes caused me to momentarily consider missing the party altogether.
‘Behave,’ I told him, unable to stop the smile entirely.
‘Oh, sweetheart. Believe me, I am and I hope you appreciate the effort it’s taking me to do so.’
I shook my head at him, laughing and took the hand that he offered. We walked to the car and I slid into the passenger seat as he closed the door after me.
Once behind the wheel he started the engine then paused as he was about to pull away. ‘Is everything OK?’
‘Fine, yes, thanks.’
