When we get home, we slip into the normal routine of bath time, picking out clothes for the next day, and figuring out which book to read. By the time Liam is in bed and the house is quiet, my brain feels fried. Everything hurts. I pour a glass of wine and start the tub filling in my bathroom. I know a soak in a hot bath will help ease my tension. Exhausted though I am, it’s too early to fall asleep.
As I sink down into the hot water, the image of Finn’s face keeps flashing through my mind on repeat. Why had he looked at me like that? What had he been thinking? If it had been any other man, I might have called his gaze awed, proud, possessive. But this is Finn. He doesn’t look at me that way. Not that I want him to.
The house is so silent I can hear the clock ticking in the living room. It’s too quiet, I think. For the first time in a long time, I let myself feel the aching loneliness I usually hide away. I’m never really alone. I have Liam and my work is filled with people. Much as the chaos of The Jester can annoy me at times, it’s never lonely. Tonight though, I feel more alone than I have since my divorce. I blame Quinn. If she hadn’t mentioned getting back out there and making a move on Finn, I wouldn’t be sitting in the tub feeling sorry for myself right now.
I take another sip of red wine. Hell, maybe Quinn is right. Not about Finn, but about getting back out there. Maybe it’s time for me to start dating again. I’m still young. Mostly. I swipe some of the bubbles away from the surface of the water and study my body with an assessing eye. I don’t look half bad, I think. I don’t work out and I like carbs, but I go for the occasional jog. Plus, my work keeps me on my feet a lot. That’s cardio, right? I sigh and finish off the wine. Fine. I’ll jog more often. Twice a week, at least. Decision made, I settle lower into the water and close my eyes. That only brings back the image of Finn. Damn it. Giving up on relaxing, I drain the water and wrap up in my fluffy bathrobe.
I climb into my bed and pull the blankets over me. My mind is still a whirl of activity. I think about the possibility of dating again. That leads to thinking about the dating pool in Oak Hill. I try to make a mental list of eligible men close to my age. Four of them are in the same family. And one of those is my boss. Even if I did have a thing for Ronan, Van or Wyatt, there’s no way I could date one of Finn’s brothers. I try to picture what that would be like and I shudder. It’s not that they aren’t attractive. All the Kings were blessed with amazing genes. They all have the same ice-blue eyes and nearly jet-black hair, with the exception of Claire. She’d somehow gotten their mother’s coppery locks. Dating one of them is absolutely not an option. I try to imagine Finn’s reaction to me dating one of his brothers. I have the feeling he’d hate it, though I can’t say why. I shake my head at my own foolish notion and turn off the bedside lamp. It’s not late, but the wine did what the bath couldn’t and I’m asleep in minutes.
Chapter Five
Hannah
After my early bedtime, I manage not to abuse the snooze button on my alarm this morning. I still don’t feel totally rested thanks to some incredibly vivid dreams involving Finn that would make even Quinn blush if she knew about them. I push them out of my head and vow to never tell a living soul. I get Liam to school early enough that I have time to stop off at Momma Jean’s for a latte. Remembering how Finn had helped me with Liam the day before, I buy him one as a gesture of gratitude.
When I make it to work, I see Finn’s truck already parked in its usual space. I make my way inside, stopping by his office first. He’s sitting behind his desk, phone pressed to one ear. He gives me a little wave when he notices me standing in the doorway. I cross the room, coffee cup outstretched toward him. Finn shoots me look of pure gratitude before mouthing the words, “Thank you”. I nod and hand him the cup before leaving the room. I don’t know who he’s talking to, but it’s important enough that he had to be in the office well earlier than usual. I make my way to my own office and get to work. Maybe I can manage to answer a few emails before the front desk calls me away. Claire isn’t scheduled to come help out today, so I’m on my own. With all but one of the wedding party already accounted for, I’m hoping it won’t be as stressful as yesterday.
I manage a full hour of work before I hear the bell signaling a guest in the front office. I assume it’s the tardy best man, but it could easily be one of the guests that are already in residence. As I make my way to the reception area, I picture the bride and groom from the day before. Hopefully the arrival of the best man will be enough to appease the stressed-out bride, though I’m sure she’ll find something else to worry over. Brides always do. When I get to the reception area, I see a man standing there, his back to the desk as
