‘OK, as you wish.’ He closed his eyes and leant back against the headrest.
What I wish is that you would stop being so infuriating …
Fin opened one eye and smiled at her. ‘You OK over there, grumpy?’
Eleanor unfolded her arms, which had found themselves unconsciously crossed over her chest.
‘I’ll be fine when you stop talking,’ she sniped back, unable to stop her lips curling up at the corners.
‘As you wish …’ He laughed.
‘Stop saying that!’ she cried, slapping him gently on the arm.
‘As you wish …’
*
Eleanor was hot and sweaty and out of breath, but she didn’t care. She was having the best time, throwing her arms in theair and moving her body instinctively to the music. She hadn’t danced like this in years. Free, wild, and not caring about what anyone thought. Maybe it was the palpable excitement that was sparking in the air. Maybe it was the copious amounts of alcohol she’d consumed …
Or maybe it’s being around Fin …
Eleanor eyed the flailing limbs belonging to Fin and pushed the ridiculous thought from her mind.
‘You want a drink?’ she called into Fin’s ear.
‘What?’ he tried to shout over the music.
‘A drink?’ Eleanor mimed taking a sip from an imaginary glass.
Fin held up his half-full tonic water and shook his head. How the man had managed to survive without a drop of alcohol and still be able to keep up with the intoxicated she had no idea. It was rather impressive, and deep down Eleanor felt a spark of pride for the man her friend had become. The Fin she remembered before the darkness. The Fin who made everything fun.
‘You want to get some air?’ she shouted.
‘What?’ Fin screamed back, sweat beading across his freckled forehead.
‘I need some air.’ She pointed towards the far corner of the room. Everything was swimming in and out of focus, but she could just about make out the double doors that opened out on to the perfectly manicured grounds.
‘OK,’ he hollered back, taking her damp palm and pulling her towards the exit. She felt giddy on a heady mix of adrenaline and alcohol. Her body was glowing from the inside with the fuzzy warmth of tequila shots.
‘You want to sit or walk?’ Fin asked, opening the doors, allowing the cool night air to greet them.
‘Sit. Definitely sit.’ Eleanor rubbed her throbbing feet and gestured towards a low wall by the edge of a crowd of smokers. As she walked, she felt her balance wobble. Everything was starting to sway and she grabbed hold of Fin’s arm to support her.
‘Wait, wait just a moment.’ Fin stopped her just as she was about to lower herself down on to the wall. ‘You can’t get a dress like that dirty.’ He took off his jacket and laid it down on top of the bricks.
‘Finley James Taylor, a gentleman? Who would have thought it!’ she jested, reaching her hand out to touch his cheek but retracting it at the very last minute.
‘I’m full of surprises,’ he teased.
Eleanor slung her shoes off and placed the pads of her worn-out feet on to the chilled earth. At once she felt grounded, the energy that had been raging through her body slowly retracting into stillness.
‘Look at the stars. Aren’t they’re magical?’ she marvelled, letting her head fall backwards as she tried to absorb the enormity of the sky above her.
‘You don’t get skies like this in LA,’ Fin mumbled, flinging his feet out in front of him like a little boy. ‘Too many goddam cars.’
‘I’ll never forget what my dad used to say. If ever there’s a problem you feel is too big or too scary, look up and remember you’re part of something way bigger.’ She sighed.
‘Your dad was a wise man,’ Fin said softly.
