I accept the request, and follow him back, though his profile is open so I can look at it without having to wait for him to accept. There are a lot of hiking and nature pictures, mountains I can’t place, some photos with his brother, lots of sports scenes. I scroll all the way to the bottom and feel relieved that there aren’t any women.
Because I love to torture myself, I check the tagged photos.
He’s tagged in a lot of bar photos. There are a few women here and there, all stunningly beautiful. But most of the pictures appear to be Finn surrounded by people dressed in drag. One performer in particular pops up again and again, often with bright aquamarine hair and incredible makeup.
I’m not quite sure what to with any of this information, except decide to ask Finn about it later.
I toss my phone back onto the bed—good riddance—and leave the cabin in search of my friends.
HOURS LATER, I’M TUCKED INTO bed, snuggled against the clean white sheets in my favourite pair of animal-print Kate Spade pyjamas, about to start up my Kobo and return to the delicious romantasy book I started on the plane, when a knock sounds on the cabin door.
I know in my gut it’s Finn, who must be back from Florence and Alistair’s place.
I have a split second to decide what’s worse, getting up and opening the door in only my short-short pyjamas and no bra, or—knowing the door is unlocked—letting him open it, so I can hide safely tucked into the covers of the bed. The cabin is spacious, with a bathroom tucked into the back, but the main area is really only one large room.
Coward that I am, I sit up, tucking the duvet around me and call out, Come in!
Finn opens the door, still in his cream-coloured shirt and looking like John F. Kennedy Jr.—or more like the guy who played him in Love Story—and I have to really try not to audibly gasp. Somehow, despite spending more time with him, I don’t seem to get used to looking at him. It hits me like a fresh smack in the face every time.
He sees me sitting in bed and grins so fiendishly that I feel the immediate blush shoot across my cheeks. You should have gotten up to answer the door and kept him outside!
Well, he says, leaning against the doorway, folding his arms. I have to say Violet, I’m trying really hard not to make a saucy comment right now.
Like what? I ask. Why did I ask that?
Something like, ‘I see you’re ready and waiting for me.’ He laughs at his own joke, which I think is a joke, right? Right, because this guy, who looks like that, would never in a million years be trying to seduce me of all people. The reality check hits like a bucket of cold water.
I only manage to get out a slow, Ummm… and shuffle down further into the blankets. This makes him laugh again.
I’m kidding Violet, don’t get carried away now, he says, holding up his hands in supplication. You’re the one who, very smartly I might add, installed our no-sex rule. Remember?
I can barely remember my own name right now; Finn talking about sex has my brain feeling like a spinning top.
When I don’t reply, he goes on. Anyway, darling Violet, I was popping in to see what your plans are for the rest of the week.
My plans? I ask him. For this week?
He smiles that almost evil smile. Trouble, trouble, trouble.
Yes. He nods, leaning further into the door frame.
I don’t think I have any.
You don’t think you do, or you don’t? He’s teasing me now.
I don’t. I say, knowing Alba would have said something if there was anything pressing we had to do over the next few days, anyway.
Well, would you like to go to Louisbourg? It’s the—
The national historic site, the French fortress. Yes, I saw it when I was looking up tourist attractions here.
Aye. So would you like to go?
Just—just you and me?
Yes, he says, his tone playful. Thought it would be good for our ruse and all. But Alba and Rose are welcome to come if they want to join us. Maybe not tomorrow—I need a day to get used to the time change, take it easy a bit. So how about the day after?
What’s Florence doing, is she working this week? I ask him, knowing there must be a reason he doesn’t want them to come.
