“Good answer.”
“So Finn,” Bryonie murmured. “Tell me more about your work. You said something about finance?”
“I manage people’s assets,” Finn said. “Businesses, companies, enterprises. I help negotiate exchanges between parties. Make sure people are getting the right deals. Which does require some travel.”
“Overseas?”
“All the time. There truly are some fascinating places abroad. Unfortunately I’m usually stuck between board rooms, hotel rooms and airplanes, so I have to take other people’s word on that.”
“How old are you again?” Leah asked. “Thirty-two?”
“Yes, that’s correct.” He glanced at Bryonie a moment. “And Bryonie’s twenty-two. Is that right?”
They both nodded.
“Numbers are numbers,” Finn said. “I hope it’s not a barrier to us being friends.”
“No,” Bryonie said. “I … wouldn’t have come if…”
“Exactly. Anyway, enough about me and my career. I want to hear about you.”
“Oh,” Bryonie said.
“Do you travel much?”
“Oh no. I haven’t … I haven’t been…”
“What?”
“I haven’t been on a plane before.”
“You’re kidding?” Finn grinned. “You know one of the best things about being a human is you get to fly.”
“Oh, is it?” Leah challenged.
“Trust me, there are some jealous fish out there. You might want to lower your voice, Bryonie.”
“What?” she mumbled.
Finn leaned forward. “I’m saying if a fish heard about a human who didn’t fly, even though they could, they might … feel a little bit upset.”
“Isn’t there such a thing as flying fish?” Leah piped up.
“You know you could be right,” Finn said. “I might even know one or two myself.”
CHAPTER FOUR
It was over too quickly. With their appetites satisfied, they stood around the aquarium for a bit admiring various exhibits, before Bryonie noticed Finn checking his phone. The conversation was stilted. He seemed distant. She tried to expand their conversation, but her agitation only made things worse. They were just going through the motions now.
“Leah, is it?” Finn spoke up.
“Yeah,” Leah said.
“Would you mind waiting outside for a moment? I just want to have a quick chat with Bryonie. Before we all go.”
“Oh,” Leah said. “That’s fine. I’ll … see you in a bit then.”
“Thanks,” Bryonie said.
They watched her go.
“I’m really sorry,” Bryonie confessed. “I’m not really good at meeting new people. I’m a bit of an introvert.”
“That’s alright, I’m not judging you,” Finn said.
“Except … you are.”
“Am I?”
“Don’t bullshit a bullshitter. Sorry. I don’t know what I’m talking about.”
She turned away from him, her head almost touching the glass beside them.
A long green fish swam by.
“I’d love to see you in another environment,” Finn said.
Bryonie turned. “Huh?”
“I’d like to see you come out of your skin. I think you’d be really fun to be around.”
“I’m not. Really, I’m…”
“Sure about that?”
Bryonie blushed. “I don’t know. I guess it’s a matter of opinion.”
“There are things we can’t explain,” Finn said. “Things that are hidden beneath the surface. We all try to be the people others think we are.”
“You’re a bit of a deep thinker, aren’t you?” Bryonie said.
“Deep is comparative term,” Finn replied. “It’s only deep thinking when you put me against someone else with more shallow thought.”
“That’s true,” Bryonie nodded.
“Are you a deep thinker? Like me?”
Bryonie gave a small laugh. “Probably.”
“You see. There’s more to you, isn’t there?”
That small laugh again.
No words followed.
“I want to see you again,” Finn said.
“Um. Okay…”
“I want to see you tonight.”
“Tonight? Really? Why?”
“A friend of mine is having a small get-together. It was going to be a guys only affair, but it would be great if you and Leah would come. Bring a couple more of your friends and it will even things up a bit.”
“Whoa, whoa,” Bryonie said. “Slow down.”
Finn stared at her.
Unflinching.
“I can’t guarantee anything,” Bryonie muttered. “But … where is it and what is it for…?”
Finn moved in close to her.
His fingers gently moved across her arm.
“It’s a small get-together as I said,” he explained. “It’s a catered affair. Lots of drinks and appetizers. Conversation.”
“With your friends?”
“Yes. Is that too forward? Introducing your friends to my friends? I thought we were getting along well. Of course, if you don’t want to see me again, then feel free to decline.”
Bryonie stared at him, perplexed. “For tonight?”
“Yes.”
“Do I have to give you an answer now? I have your phone number so I can –”
“Yes, you may confirm or cancel later on. But I would like a yes from you now.”
“Now?”
Finn nodded.
Bryonie swallowed. “Okay. Yes then.”
He leaned forward and gave her a gentle kiss to her lips.
She stood there, frozen, startled, rushing with all sorts of strange bogus feelings radiating –
“It was nice meeting you.”
He gave a small bow and then departed.
“Yeah,” Bryonie mumbled. “Same to you…”
CHAPTER FIVE
Bryonie’s skin was glowing as she exited the aquarium. Sunlight streamed through her hair and the world never looked so perfect. She could feel its heat. She could see its joy.
Back in reality Leah was standing at the corner, her eyes glassy, her posture stagnant. Bryonie smiled at her, hoping her smile would be infectious.
It was.
Just a little.
“So you like him,” Leah said casually.
Bryonie nodded. “Oh yeah.”
“Well, that’s good then. I’m happy for you.”
“Thank … thank you. For making me do this.”
“I didn’t make you do anything.”
Bryonie put her arms around her. Gave her a hug. “I’m serious. Thank you.”
“Alright, alright. Okay.”
Once the hug was done, it was time to get back to the car.
Bryonie felt like skipping.
“You know there’s a catch,” Leah said.
“What?”
“A catch. To Finn. There has to be.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, either he’s a womanizer, or he’s a deviant, or he has trouble expressing his emotions –”
“Oh that’s such baloney.”
“– Or maybe he’s married. Or he has kids you don’t know about. Or he’s really bankrupt. Or –”
“Will you shut up? You’re talking crazy.”
“Alright,” Leah said. “I’m just saying he’s not Mr. Perfect. He’s good for Right Now, but don’t get too worked up over this guy.”
“I’m not getting worked up.”
“Good. I’m going to choose to believe you.”
“He did just kiss me though,” Bryonie gushed.
“Oh Lord.”
“And he wants to get together tonight –”
“So he can fuck you.”
“What? God, that’s crude.”
“Isn’t he supposed to be going on some business holiday or something? He wants to knock one out before he goes away. That’s where you c
ome in, Bryonie.”
“It’s not like that at all. It’s a get-together. There’s gonna be other people there. In fact, you’re coming too.”
“I am?”
“Please.”
“Oh don’t…”
“Please, Leah. I never asked you for anything.”
They reached the car. Leah opened the backseat and threw her handbag in there.
“Please, please, please.”
Leah turned back to her.
Bryonie batted her eyelashes.
“You’re nuts,” Leah said. “He’s gonna break your heart.”
“No, no, no. I promise he won’t.”
“Like you have a say in it. He’s gonna walk all over you.”
“God! I thought you were into getting me fixed up. Didn’t you like him?”
Leah sighed. “I don’t know. He said a couple of off things.”
“What off things?”
“I – I –”
“Well?”
“I don’t remember. It was his vibe too. Just … I’m sure he’s done this a million times before.”
“So fucking what? If he’s unattached for real, then what’s the harm? I promise you, I’m not jumping into bed with him.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. He’ll have to … Well, I’m not even going to make a call there. I’m just saying I’m not going to get into bed with him. And you – you will be there to make sure of it. Won’t you?”
“Meeting him in a public place is one thing,” Leah said. “Going somewhere private is something else entirely. What if –”
“What?”
“What if he turns out to be some psycho killer or something?”
“Oh Jesus, that’s not gonna happen,” Bryonie said. “Did he seem like a killer to you?”
Leah chuckled to herself. “I’m just saying what if. Cause we don’t really know anything about him.”
“Trust me,” Bryonie said moving round to her side of the car. “He’s not a killer.”
“We’ll see,” Leah said.
CHAPTER SIX
It wasn’t fading. It couldn’t fade. Strapped into the passenger seat in Leah’s car, Bryonie looked up at the moving sky and realized she felt as good as she’d ever felt. She knew she had to get a hold of herself, she had to keep her expectations in check. Finn wasn’t going to be into someone who was full on into him. Not that Bryonie was admitting to herself that she was into him but God – what the hell had just happened? Where had her anxiety gone? Where had her misery?
Of course life had felt pointless. It had felt stepped on and pathetic and squashed. Because she’d yet to experience this. She’d yet to have this moment where she felt alive.
How could life be about anything else?
“You did say you were coming tonight,” Bryonie said out loud. “You did say it, didn’t you?”
She glared across towards Leah. She was shaking her head.
“What?” Bryonie demanded.
“Yes, I’ll come. But when everything goes wrong I’m blaming you.”
“Nothing’s going to go wrong. This is going to be awesome. I know there are a lot of jerks and psychos out there, but there’s plenty of perfectly nice guys as well.”
“Yeah. Well how come I don’t have one?”
Bryonie grinned. “Okay. You’re definitely getting set up.”
“Huh?”
“With one of Finn’s friends. Of course that’s why he wanted me to invite other girls to come along. His friends must be single as well.”
“Yeah, or they just want some young pussy.”
Bryonie rolled her eyes. “Look, if they turn out to be creeps, believe me I’ll be the first one out of there.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“Who are we gonna invite anyway?”
“Invite?”
“To Finn’s party. He said he wanted me to bring my friends. So that means you.”
“Do you have any other friends, Bryonie?”
“Shut up,” Bryonie muttered. “Taylor’s my friend.”
“We’re not inviting Taylor.”
“What? Why not?”
“Because she’s a first class cunt. And you know she blabs about you behind your back anyway.”
“I don’t give a shit.”
“Besides if we’re inviting Taylor, then Erin has to come too. And I know you don’t like her.”
“What? I never said that.”
“You said you didn’t want to come round this morning if Erin was going to be there.”
“Cause I didn’t feel like seeing Erin. What’s the big deal?”
“Alright. So we’ll invite Taylor and Erin. Is that what you want? Is that enough people?”
“I don’t know,” Bryonie shrugged. “They’ll probably say no anyway.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Taylor Godding was perched by the window on the second level of a teahouse south of the city, when the phone call came through. Everyone else had their phones out either on the table or in their hands, but Taylor’s was tucked away safely in her handbag. On vibrate.
“Your bag’s making noise,” Vanessa Whitetip commented. “Taylor?”
Taylor glanced out the window beside her.
Sparkling lakes. Green forest hills.
A street full of mansions.
Yet she never seemed to be able to get away.
“Ugh,” Taylor groaned checking the phone.
“Is it Kieran again?” Erin Baker asked.
“Bryonie.” Taylor put the phone back in the bag and set it on the floor again.
“I thought you were friends with Bryonie,” Vanessa said.
Taylor shrugged. “So?”
“You screening our calls too then?”
“No,” Taylor muttered. Now she had everyone’s attention. She grinned. “Well, maybe yes.”
There were five of them up here today. Her two good friends Erin Baker and Penelope Stringer, the birthday girl Lucille Dodd, and Lucille’s friend Vanessa. Technically they were all friends with each other, but some people were better friends than others.
“Does Bryonie know about tonight?” Lucille asked. “Did she say she was coming?”
Taylor shrugged. “Did you invite her?”
“Yeah. I told Leah she was invited too.”
“I don’t think Leah and Bryonie are coming,” Erin said.
“Why not?” Vanessa asked.
“Bryonie’s going through some shit. You know how she is.”
“But what if she shows up anyway?”
Erin smiled and picked up her beverage. She looked at Taylor from the corner of her eyes as she sipped it.
Taylor smiled back.
“You know what I heard,” Penelope said.
“No, what?” Vanessa fired.
“I heard she hooked up with Leah’s Dad.”
Lucille’s mouth dropped. “What?”
“Bullshit,” Erin said.
“It’s what I heard,” Penelope said proudly.
“Wait,” Vanessa said, “how would that even happen? Is Leah’s Dad some sort of sleaze?”
“No, apparently he didn’t even know what was happening. He reckons when Bryonie was staying over at their place – with Leah obviously – that she snuck into his room in the middle of the night.”
“Oh-ho-no,” Erin exclaimed.
“What about Leah’s Mom?” Lucille asked.
“She was away at her parents’ or something,” Penelope said. “I only know cause my brother works in Leah’s Dad’s office and overheard him talking about it. Wasn’t sure how to tell Leah. Or his wife.”
“Wait, so Leah doesn’t know?” Vanessa asked.
“I don’t know,” Penelope said. “Erin?”
“Leah does not know that shit,” Erin said. “She would have told me.”
Penelope looked across to Taylor.
“What about Bryonie?”
Taylor shook her head.
“Did Bryonie say anything?”
Taylor kept her expression in check. “Even if she had, I wouldn’t go spreading it around.”
“Leah’s gonna flip,” Erin said, already apparently texting her.
“It’s just what I heard,” Penelope repeated. “Don’t go quoting me.”
She leaned over Erin as if she was hoping she would do exactly that.
Taylor picked up her bag and stood from the table.
“I’ll be back in a moment.”
The party smiled and nodded.
Taylor moved away from them, her hands sweaty, her cheeks burning red. How long would it be, she wondered, before they realized it wasn’t Bryonie who had wound up with Leah’s Dad in bed?
How long would it be before they realized that it had been her?
CHAPTER EIGHT
Taylor’s afternoon wasn’t going to get any easier. Cheeks cool, hands still, eyes centered she stared at herself in the bathroom mirror, lifeless. She looked good. She looked collected. Model-esque. But was this truly her? Was this an accurate depiction of the young woman living inside her body?
The bathroom door opened. Taylor’s expression faltered, and she quickly resumed washing her hands. She then turned and ripped a fragment of paper towel from the dispenser on the wall. She wiped them thoroughly.
“Your friend’s been trying to reach you,” a woman’s voice said loudly behind her.
Taylor’s eyebrows arched inward. She turned. “Excuse me?”
The woman stared back at her. She was wearing a dark buttoned up coat, had curly black hair and wore glasses.
She was standing against the door.
“Your friend,” the woman repeated. “She’s been trying to call you.”
“Do you work here or something?” Taylor mustered.
“You should answer your phone.”
Taylor walked across the bathroom floor. “Get out of my way.”
The woman reached into her coat. She pulled out a wallet and flashed her ID. “My name is Agent Malone, of the Paranormal Police. You may have heard of us.”
Taylor looked at her skeptically. “What do you want?”
“Your friend, Bryonie Montrose. She’s been trying to get in touch with you. Is there a problem with your phone?”
Cruisin' With Sharks (Paranormal Mysteries #1) Page 2
