As sweat poured down his face, Finn attacked the bag he’d gotten from Oliver. His hands hurt like hell, but he didn’t stop.
Eventually, Oliver came up to him. “It’s time to stop. I let you use the bag out here in the coffee area, but you’ve had enough.”
Finn stepped back. Oliver didn’t even know he’d run today till he couldn’t breathe and lifted free weights he’d found in the back of a closet in his office. Hewasexhausted. He dropped down in a chair and Oliver helped him take off his gloves then went to the fridge, got bottles of water then sat with him.
“Want to tell me about it?”
“I’m trying to keep myself from doing something stupid.”
“Does it concern Elise?”
Finn blinked hard. “I’m in love with her. Iletmyself fall in love with her.”
“Usually, that’s good news.”
“What about my eth—”
“Fuck your ethics, Finn.” His friend was losing patience with him and Oliver Ricardi never lost his temper. “They’re cold comfort.”
Finn held up his index finger and thumb parallel to each other. “I’m this close to giving in to my feelings.”
“Listen, buddy. You’re going to give up the love of your life for a little guilt you might feel? Boy, I wouldn’t do that.”
His brows skyrocketed. “You wouldn’t?”
“Of course not. You’re not seeing this clearly.” They talked a bit more then Oliver stood. “Now get up. You stink and you need a shower. You got clothes in your locker?”
“Yeah.”
“Then go clean up and find Elise.”
Finn started toward the door. He turned back though. “I forgot to ask you how your visit with your mother went.”
“We can talk about later when your stuff is settled.”
In half an hour, Finn headed to the set. He guessed that’s where she’d be for some reshoots. The filming was about a mile down from his house on the canal. He made a stop on the way and when he got there, the security guards let him in because Elise had okayed it long ago.
The cameras were rolling and Elise sat staring out at the water. She put her head in her hands and the director yelled, “Cut!”
He approached Elise and apparently gave her a few notes. Then she started to her trailer. Finn gave her a few minutes then crossed to it, climbed the steps and went inside without knocking. He was afraid she wouldn’t let him in. The place was flooded with natural light and Elise stretched out on the couch. He said softly, “Elise.”
She came up on her elbows. “What are you doing here?” Her eyes widened like saucers. “And why are you carrying that?”
“I’m came to tell you I love you and want to be with you. I brought you a teddy bear because you said you liked them that day we were at Fiona’s house.”
Her face reddened. “How do you know?”
“How do I know that I love you? Because—”
“Not that. How do youknow?” She looked around wildly. “Did you go see the film doctor?”
“The film doctor? No, of course not. I came right here to see you. To apologize for hurting you and tell you I want to be with you no matter what.”
She opened her mouth then slapped her hand over it, bolted up and rushed past him.
He followed her and again, he held her hair back when she vomited. He was worried about this symptom. It had gone on a long time. Why didn’t she get it checked out…Wait a sec.
Vomiting.
