Page 53 of Once Bitten

“It’s ok, Kara. I...I know why you weren’t, I get it.”

“You do?”

“Yeah, um, Finn told me. I’m sorry for what he did.”

“No, I’m sorry. You were my friend and I should’ve given you some sort of explanation. It just...you know, one day became two and then a week went by, and once I was settled in NYC, it just became easier to disappear completely.” I shook my head, disgusted with my immaturity, even though at the time I knew I couldn’t have done any differently.

“No, I’m sorry, for, well, I don’t know if he’s said it but, I’m sorry for what Finn did that night. I’m not sure I know everything, but from what he did tell me, I don’t blame you a damn bit for wanting to be as far away from him, and us, as possible. He was such an asshole, I still can’t believe it to this day.”

“Ahem,” Finn cleared his throat and we both turned slowly to look at him. “I’m standing right here.”

“Then go somewhere else,” Heather snapped at him and he ignored her, not moving.

“Forget about him,” I waved my hand, pretending I didn’t care where he was, and saw him out of the corner of my eye feigning offense. “What have YOU been up to? Other than working here? Are you married? Do you have any children?”

Heather beamed, “I’m not married but I have a son, Blake. He’s 14. He’s amazing, just like his grandfather.”

Finn snickered.

“What? You don’t think he’s just like Dad?” Heather challenged her twin.

“If Dad only grunted and watched TV, maybe.”

“Don’t listen to Finn, he’s just jealous because Blake is now the prodigal son and Mom adores him.” Heather smirked.

I blinked as I did the quick sum in my head. She had him when she was 18. “He’s 14?”

Heather nodded, “yup. 14.”

“Wow.” I had to admit, I was surprised. I’d never pegged Heather to have a child so early, she’d been so ambitious as a teenager, ready to take on the world, the thought of having a child would’ve been a burden to her. But she was obviously so proud of him, I was happy for her that she had experienced something I wasn’t lucky enough to yet.

“And you? Is there a lucky Mr. Kara Sinclair?”

My eyes flicked to Finn, who seemed engrossed on some paperwork on the counter. “Er, no. Not now, and probably not ever. I work A LOT. And I love it. I’m rarely ever home, and I don’t think any man’s going to want a wife who’s constantly travelling with her boss. But, I’m good.” I nodded, thinking how a few days ago, all those words would’ve been the truth.

I looked over at Heather again, and couldn’t believe she was there, right in front of me. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed her. I pulled her in for another hug, thinking, on top of the most amazing week, somehow Finn had managed to top it with something that was so selfless.

The hotel phone rang and we pulled apart, still grinning at each other.

“Um, excuse me, that might be someone wanting to book up the hotel for 6 months for their 10 billionaire cousins and families.” Finn said pointedly.

“Let ‘em go to the Holiday Inn!” Heather quipped as she ran to the desk to answer the phone.

I followed and nudged Finn with my foot playfully; he winked back, smiling. Grabbing two keys off the board he gestured to Heather with his head and she smiled and waved us away while she worked.

“Let’s get settled and Heather can join us for dinner later.” Finn said as he led me to the stairs.

“Ok...” I sighed, a little sad to leave my friend already, after just reuniting.

We climbed two sets of stairs and Finn stopped and handed me the key. “There weren’t any adjoining rooms, so you take this one, it had an amazing view, and I’m just one room over, ok? Just get settled, I have a few phone calls to make and I’ll come find you, and feed that cute little mouth of yours.” He brushed my cheek with his hand and kissed me softly.

“Thank you, Finn.” He knew what for.

“Least I could do...” He answered as he turned and walked to his room.

The room was, as with everything I’d realized that Finn turned his attention to, perfect. He had found a designer to pick out what the regional features were and incorporated them into his hotels.

I unpacked the evening dress I had brought, in case Finn had something more formal planned and hung it up in the large closet. Checking my reflection in the mirror, I bit back a scream as I saw my hair tangled and tousled from the open roof car drive and I sat down by the bay windows, brushing my mane.

I wondered exactly what Finn had told Heather about that night. Had he told her the things he’d told me, about how he’d felt. Or had he kept it to me rejecting his advances and him driving off, leaving me in the dirt? I wondered how much she knew about his life now.

“No, Kara. Out of bounds,” I reminded myself. I had three days left with Finn, I wasn’t going to waste it trying to pry information out of the best friend I hadn’t seen for the last decade and a half.

Changing into a strappy white summer dress, I pulled my hair into a high pony tail, touched up my lipstick and grabbed my purse to go downstairs and continue my chat with Heather.