‘Says the expert. But isn’t that why we’re here?’
His brows pull in, just barely. ‘Some parts more than others.’
Before I have the chance to ask what he means, Scottie reappears. ‘Lennox, we’re playing pool. You in?’
‘Naw, staying with my girl.’
‘I can entertain myself,’ I say. ‘Go play, babe.’
‘You sure?’
‘Positive. I’ll watch you lose from here.’
His grin returns full force. ‘Cheeky.’
As he walks away into the billiard room – because that’s the kind of house we’re in – I catch myself watching him. The easy confidence in his shoulders. The way people orbit around him naturally. On paper, he shouldn’t fit here. Edinburgh’s full of polished vowels and private school grins, people who know which fork to use and which intern’s uncle runs a hedge fund. But Finn Lennox doesn’t shrink to fit, he carves his space. Not with pedigree, with presence and charm that doesn’t beg to be liked, only dares you not to. And somehow, they all respond. Men lean in, women laugh too loudly, no one asks where he went to school.
‘Enjoying the view?’ Polly edges in beside me, glass in hand, smile playing at the corner of her mouth. ‘He’s different with you.’
‘We haven’t been together long. It’s only just getting serious.’
‘That’s not what I meant.’ She studies me over her glass. ‘He’s usually putting on a show. Big gestures, big laughs, silly jokes all the time. Class clown vibes. With you, he’s…watching. Checking in. It’s sweet.’
I give her the kind of smile that works better in mirrors. ‘Oh, he’s full of surprises.’
‘I bet. Though I’m surprised you’re cool with…you know. The video and all that.’
‘We’re working through it.’ The lie is as smooth as sea-glass.
‘Of course. And I don’t want to pry but that must have been hard. Seeing him with…two other women…like that.’ The sympathy in her voice doesn’t reach her eyes. They’re a touch too glossy and curious. As if she’s halfway to picturing the whole thing in 4K. She’s not comforting me, she’s grazing, testing for soft tissue. Looking for gossip, for the tender spot to sink her teeth into.
Luckily, there is none. But I have to fake it, so I let my eyes flutter and lower my head. ‘It was. It is. But some things are worth the effort.’
‘You’re so strong. I hope it all goes well.’ She pats my arm, and I wish she wouldn’t. Realising that I’m not spilling the beans, she swans off to the next group of people.
Hope it all goes well? The fuck you do, Polly.
I drift toward the pool table where Finn’s lining up his shot. The cue glides through his fingers. A lanky guy with bloodshot eyes sways beside him, beer sloshing over his knuckles.
‘I’m curious, mate. How did it work?’ he slurs. ‘One on your cock, one on your face? Or did they both fight to gag first?’
My blood crystallises. ‘Apologise,’ I say with the calm of a glacier.
‘C’mon. It’s a joke, princess. Lighten?—’
‘It wasn’t funny the first time your lizard brain squeezed it out.’ I take a slow step forward. ‘Try again, mate.’
Finn straightens, surprise flickering across his face.
‘Chill, Bella,’ the guy mutters, suddenly interested in his beer.
Finn sets his palm to my shoulder, quiet and sure, and most of the adrenaline settles. ‘Didn’t know you played defence, darlin’.’
‘Neither did I.’ Our eyes lock. ‘Temporary position.’
Okay. I didn’t want to do it, but I guess it’s time to assert some dominance. So I vent a breath, hand him my drink, and step into the light.
‘Rack ‘em,’ I say.
