“Come on, we need to get some clothes on you,” Finn said to Travis. “We can’t be late when the professor is the guest of honour.”
I rolled my eyes. “I can’t be the guest of honour when the party was my idea.”
Finn tugged on my tie that he’d forced me to wear and pulled me towards his mouth, pressing his lips to mine.
“Stop arguing with me, Professor, or I’ll make you regret it later.”
“Sassy Finn is in the house tonight. Good to know,” Travis said, booping him on the nose, something he’d found that Finn hated, so he did on the regular.
* * *
I stoodat the bar watching the crowd of people mingling. Travis was busy talking with the divers he’d been working closely with, and Finn was happily chatting with some investors, in full charm offensive.
As someone next to me said my name, I pulled my attention back to the conversation, glad I’d been half paying attention.
“Absolutely,” I replied enthusiastically when I received a nod, so I must have been on the right track with my answer.
Cordelia, the research manager, appeared next to me.
“It’s been nice having you here… after our initial scolding was over.” She winked, nudging me in the arm. “We couldn’t tempt the three of you to stay?”
I looked around the place because it was pretty spectacular. Purpose-built, the most up to date tech, a stone’s throw from the water.
“I have to get back to head office at some point.” I noticed how flat my voice sounded at the idea of it.
“But you could leave us Finn and Travis,” she said hopefully.
“No, I’m afraid we come as a package these days.” As the words left my mouth, I realised, I’d never meant something more, and a sense of… belonging… brought a smile to my face.
Her brows raised, and her own smile widened as she placed her hand on my arm. “Now that makes me happy to hear. You work so well together.”
“Thank you, and thanks for making us feel so welcome.”
She tapped my forearm twice and then turned to join in the conversation going on in the group next to us. I looked around to where I’d seen Finn, but he was no longer there, so I moved through the crowd to Trav. Placing my hand on the small of his back, he turned to me.
“Professor.”
“Doctor Jones. Did you want a drink, or are you ready to make a move? We’ve got an early start in the morning.”
He offered me a wry smile, knowing that we didn’t need to leave till late tomorrow afternoon, and we had plans for a lazy morning in bed before we checked out.
“I’m ready to leave.”
We were planning on stopping back in to do one final day of QAing the data before we headed back to England, so this wasn’t goodbye for good. We left quietly, still not able to find Finn.
“Maybe he’s on the balcony.”
I panicked. “Has he got an EpiPen with him?”
Travis’ eyes widened, and we took off up the stairs to the second floor, not expecting to find what we did.
THIRTY-TWO
FINN
I was exhaustedand had a headache brewing, so I ordered a bottle of water and decided to go outside for a while. I looked to mention it to Travis or Jasper, but they were both caught up in conversations, and I didn’t want to interrupt them. There were already lots of people gathered by the front entrance, so I decided to head up to the balcony. It had a stunning view of the ocean, and I didn’t think anyone would be up there.
I took the lift, feeling lazy, and I was glad to find the space empty. Leaning over the rail, letting the warm evening air settle on my skin, I unscrewed the top of the bottle and took a long drink, feeling instantly better.
