Page 108 of Finn

I picked up my phone and scrolled through it.

“What are you doing?”

“Marking today on my calendar.”

“What the hell for?”

“I’ll be reminding you of this stupid conversation, and I want you to know the date you denied how you feel.”

“I can’t deny something that’s not there.”

“You have no feelings for her?” I asked. “None?”

“Aside from concern, no,” he insisted. But I saw the way his gaze strayed to the monitor. And I swore I saw a flash of pain.

“Well then, working with her, sleeping that close, shouldn’t be a problem, should it?”

He stood. “I’m out of here. I have things to do.”

A few moments later, I began to laugh when I saw him back on the main floor, staring at Anna. The longing on his face was transparent. He glanced at the camera, knowing I was watching, and flipped me the bird, making me laugh again. Then he headed toward where she was sitting, and she looked up, her smile warm and wide when she saw it was him. I wondered if he knew how his expression changed. It morphed into a tender look and a smile that echoed hers.

“Goner,” I said to no one. “I wonder how long until he admits it?”

* * *

I had Una bring Anna upstairs for lunch. We met in the pub, the warm ambiance relaxing her. I wasn’t surprised when Niall strode in and joined us. He sat beside her, leaning over and asking her something quietly. She nodded.

“I’m fine,” she murmured.

“Good.”

We ordered, and I sat back, tapping Una’s leg under the table, indicating the couple on the other side with a slight tilt of my chin. She tapped me back, a small grin on her face.

After we ate our bowls of delicious Irish stew and fresh brown bread, I told Anna my offer. She stirred her coffee, frowning.

“It’s only an offer, Anna,” I explained, wondering why she looked so upset. “Maybe you had plans to return up north or another idea?”

“Oh no,” she said. “I had been dreading trying to find a job, and I would love to stay here. I’d get to work with Una?”

“Yes, and the other staff. You’d be in guest services. Trained and paid while doing so.” I looked at Niall, lifting my eyebrows to indicate for him to talk.

“And you’d get to live in the hotel,” Niall added, turning to her.

“I would?”

I cleared my throat. “I’m indebted to you, Anna. You and Una developed a friendship while you were, ah, trapped. She told me if it weren’t for you, she would have gone mad.”

“She was equally good to me,” Anna said. “She tried to protect me from, um, him.”

Her hand shook as she reached for her coffee, and she paled simply at the mention of Juan. Niall shifted closer, draping his arm over the back of the chair she sat in.

“He can’t hurt you anymore,” he assured her.

“But what if he comes looking for me?” she asked, her eyes wide. “And hurts Una? I can’t stay here and risk that.”

Niall met my gaze, and I nodded. Leaning forward, he spoke quietly, telling her and Una that Juan was dead.

“You’re sure?” Anna asked, her voice thick.