Her jaw locked so tight, she could have cracked a clam between her molars.
That strange heart lurch she felt? It didn’t mean anything. Hearts just did that sometimes. It had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Finn was smiling at this woman like he actuallymeantit for a change.
It wasn’t jealousy.
It couldn’t be.
She didn’twantFinn. That was the point. But he couldn’t be playing into the hands of someone who clearly wanted him, right in front of her.
It was a matter of respect.
Of morals.
Of freaking campaign optics!
“I almost forgot about that,” Finn said, shaking his head as the two of them shared a memory that left Iris standing there as an outsider. “So, Marsha, what can I do for you today?”
“Well,” Marsha said, her gaze cutting to Iris like she just noticed her. And didn’t want her there.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Finn said, pressing his hand to his chest. She hated that move. It was so practiced but meant to look natural. A pure ‘my bad’ gesture. “Marsha Grand, this is Iris.”
This is Iris?
That was how he introduced her?
She didn’t get a last name, let alone a title? Or, heavens forbid, a connection to him.
“Nice to meet you, Iris,” Marsha said. Her tone turned to granite. And there were no smiles for Iris like there were for Finn. “I’m sorry, but this is a bit of a … sensitive topic.”
Oh, please.
A ‘sensitive topic?’
What—was she about to request a private audience to discuss his … legislativepackage?
Did she want Iris to walk away so she could pitch her bedroom re-election campaign?
She wasn’t going anywhere.
“Iris, would you mind?” Finn asked.
Oh, he didn’t.
He did.
And he’d said it so gently, like she was a child being ushered out of the room before the grown-ups could speak in peace.
Anger snapped—hot and potent, threatening to burn it all to the ground.
“Oh, absolutely,” she said, snark slipping into her tone. “I don’t want to stand in the way of political networking. Or whatever they’re calling it these days.”
She lurched out of Finn’s hold, forcing her chin up, and walked away like there wasn’t a strange crushing sensation in her chest.
Of course, that was the exact moment a news crew moved directly in her path, making it impossible for her to sidestep them without making it look deliberate.
“Porsha DeWinter. Channel 16 News,” the woman with the perfectly styled brunette hair announced. “We saw you with mayoral hopeful Finn Westrock. Can we ask you a few questions?”
Oh, they could bet their asses they could.