Page 30 of Finn

“Simple is perfect.”

I sat at the table, watching her, feeling myself relax. She always had that effect on me. She hummed as she moved around the small space, stirring the pot on the stove, slicing some bread and bringing it to the table. She paused, looking at me. “You look tired.”

“Long day. Niall and I are a bit worried about his mum.”

“Why?”

“We think Aunt Roisin isn’t doing as well as she insists she is.”

She placed a bowl in front of me, laying her hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry. I know how much she means to you.”

I tilted my head, resting it on her hand. “Thank you. Niall was concerned and got in touch with her doctor and her friends. They thought he was overreacting, so he’s staying here and will keep a close eye on the situation. If anything changes and he needs to go, I’ll get him there as fast as I can.”

She squeezed my shoulder, drifting her hand up through my hair. It was all I could do not to groan at her touch. Moving away, she filled a bowl for herself and sat down beside me. “Eat, Finn. It’ll help your headache.”

“How did you know I had a headache?”

“You get a little pinched line right here.” She tapped her forehead. “And you can see it in your eyes if you look hard enough.”

“You’re the only one who ever does.”

She was quiet. “Eat. Please.”

I picked up my spoon, wondering if she knew I’d do anything she asked of me.

Always.

* * *

The food helped, the company even more so. Una talked about some new song ideas she had and how much she was enjoying the front desk and working in the concierge area.

“Cleo wants to bring you up to management,” I informed her. “She thinks you have all the qualifications you need to be a real asset in running the hotel behind the scenes.”

“Already?”

I chuckled as I finished my second bowl of stew. “You’ve proven yourself, Una. Every challenge. You did at the other hotels as well. Connie hated to see you go. Albert, even more, from the last hotel. Everyone you work with speaks highly of you.”

She nibbled on her bottom lip, looking worried. “I like the front desk.”

I laughed. “Philip likes you. You’re his favorite and he’ll hate it when you go, but he knew you would. George, as well. You can call Cleo and go talk to her. It’s the next step.” I picked up my glass, draining the water from it, trying to stop the bitterness in my voice. “Soon, you’ll leave us all.”

She met my gaze. “You know it’s always been my dream to have my own hotel.”

I shoved down my sadness at the thought of her leaving. “I know. And I know you’ve been saving for it.”

A shadow crossed her face, and her smile was forced. “Having enough for my dream will take me longer than I thought. I’m not in any hurry.”

Something was off in her voice. Her shoulders were stiff and drawn back. “What changed? I know you have a budget, and you’ve always been good at following it.”

She shrugged. “Sometimes life happens.”

“What does that mean?”

“Nothing.”

She stood, reaching for my empty bowl. I wrapped my hand around her wrist. “Una, I know you. What has happened? Do you need a raise? Is there a problem?”

She looked away, sitting. She traced a pattern on the table, not meeting my eyes.