Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
FINN
The ballroom buzzed with conversations about vacation homes and investment portfolios that Finn could never relate to. He hated it.
"Breathe," Elena murmured, close enough that her shoulder brushed his. "Remember, you know this research better than anyone.”
A server glided past with a tray of champagne flutes. Elena snagged two and passed one to Finn. He downed it in one gulp. “Is it possible to get a drink that contains more than one tablespoon?” Finn asked in irritation.
"Dr. Herrera!" A woman in a dark blue gown approached, arms outstretched. "I was hoping you'd be here. Your last paper was brilliant."
Elena stepped forward, leaving Finn half a step behind as she accepted the woman's air kisses. "Dr. Phillips! Thank you. Have you met Finn Cochrane? We’ve been working on a new neurofeedback approach to treating TBI’s."
Finn noted she did not refer to him as her research assistant.
Dr. Phillips’ eyes swept over Finn in admiration. “I’ve heard about you. Although I must admit you look very different from what I expected,” she said with a wink.
Finn smiled back and let Elena take control of the conversation.
He felt himself receding from the conversation, becoming part of the background as Elena slipped effortlessly into the familiar dance of academic networking.
She engaged in enthusiastic conversation with Dr. Phillips as he kept drifting away, positioning himself where he could observe without being obligated to take part.
The room pulsed with conversation and hidden agendas.
His gaze kept returning to Elena. She'd moved from Dr. Phillips to a small group of foundation board members, her expression animated as she described something that required both hands to illustrate.
"Ah, the famous research assistant."
Finn turned to find Paul Thompson standing beside him. He had opted for a glass of water rather than alcohol. "Dr. Thompson," Finn said. "Good evening."
"I'm glad you could make it." Paul took a drink as he looked out at the crowded ballroom. "These events are more important than most researchers realize. The work we do in the lab is only half the battle. Keeping the board happy is what keeps us funded."
Paul glanced at him. "You know, I was skeptical about your protocol at first. Still am, honestly. But..." he paused, choosing his words, "I have to admit, your conviction in that meeting was impressive. Few assistants would defend their position that boldly."
Finn wasn't sure how to respond to what might have been a compliment.
“Just try to rein in that boldness tonight,” Paul continued. “We aren’t trying to make waves here. This entire event is about appeasing the board.”
"I’ll keep that in mind," Finn said.
Paul nodded. “Good. Enjoy the evening, Mr. Cochrane.” And then he was gone.
Finn needed a drink to get through this. At the bar, he ordered a gin and tonic. The bartender handed him the glass, and Finn turned back to survey the room. Elena was still conversing, and her group had expanded. She glanced his way and offered a smile before returning to her conversation.
He took a drink of his cocktail. It was strong, but he didn’t mind. He decided he would stay in the background all night. Out there on the floor, there were too many games being played. He wished he were back in the lab where everything made sense and he didn’t have to perform for anyone.
"Excuse me, is this seat taken?"
Finn looked up to find a man gesturing to the empty barstool beside him. Tall, with neat dark hair and the kind of confident smile that came from a lifetime of doors opening easily. "No," Finn said, shifting to make room.
"Thanks." The man settled onto the stool, signaling the bartender. "Old-fashioned, please." He turned to Finn with the same easy smile. "Rough night?"
Finn blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You look like you'd rather be anywhere else." Even his laugh was somehow distinguished. He accepted his drink from the bartender. "I'm David, by the way. David Turner."
"Finn Cochrane."
Recognition flickered across David's face. "Wait—you're the assistant guy? From Elena's lab?"
"Yes."
“It sounds like you guys might be on to something groundbreaking. Keep it up,” David said with a smile.
“Thanks.” Finn could have said more. He probably should have said more, considering the influence that he imagined David held. But there was something about David that Finn didn’t like already.
“I mean, there are so many applications for this treatment. It could be quite lucrative, especially if we are the first mover. The shareholders would love it.”
Yep, there it was. Finn didn’t like him.
"I don’t really think about the shareholders while I'm in the lab,” Finn said, meeting David’s eyes. “I’m just focused on whether the treatment works.”
David's smile faltered for just a moment, genuine surprise flashing across his face. He clearly wasn't used to being spoken to in this way. "How... refreshingly idealistic," he said, recovering his composure. "Well, I should go find Elena. Lovely to meet you, Finn."
He moved away into the crowd, leaving Finn gripping his glass too tightly.
"That was... amazing."
Finn turned to find a woman sliding onto the barstool beside him. She looked familiar, a person he had seen in meetings, perhaps.
“I have been wanting to say something like that to him for years. I’m Rachel Sampson. We haven’t formally met. I was at the last team meeting where you and Elena introduced the new protocol.”
“Nice to meet you, Rachel. Who was that exactly?” Finn was a little worried his lack of filter may have caused some damage.
"David Turner. Very high up at Bridgepoint Health, the largest healthcare network in the Pacific Northwest. He's the Chief Financial Officer of Research and Clinical Operations." Rachel explained.
Finn frowned. "What does that even mean? Isn't that like three different titles?"
Rachel laughed, but it was bitter. "Yep. It seems like they add an extra word to his title every year. I'm sure a single word is enough to justify a raise that's more than my entire annual salary."
She studied him with open admiration. "First you stood up to Paul in our team meeting, now you do the same to David Turner, one of the most influential people in this room.
I can see why Elena brings you everywhere.
" Her eyes swept over him appraisingly. "You're like her enforcer or something. You certainly have the build for it."
Finn didn't respond, his eyes already searching the crowd. "I don't like him.”
He found Elena quickly. That black dress was unmistakable. But his chest tightened when he saw David's hand resting on the small of Elena's back as they talked with another group. She was smiling, leaning in to hear something David was saying.
Definitely don’t like this guy.
"I should get back," he said, not really talking to Rachel anymore. Against every logical instinct telling him to stay away, Finn found himself walking toward them. The group shifted, and David was gesturing toward him, Elena following his gaze. Finn straightened, adjusting his tie unnecessarily.
"There you are," Elena said as they reached him. "David was just telling me he met you at the bar."
"We had a brief conversation," Finn confirmed, studying her face. How well did she know this guy?
"David is chair of the board for the research department," she explained. "He's been very supportive of our work."
Paul Thompson appeared at Elena's elbow with a practiced professional smile. “Mr. Turner, what a pleasure. I've been hoping to connect with you this evening."
"The pleasure's mine, Dr. Thompson," David replied smoothly. "I was just telling Elena how excited the board has been with the work being done in your labs.”
Right, Finn thought. They’re so thrilled, they cut her timeline in half.
To his credit, Paul’s smile did not waver. “Well, Elena has certainly assembled a dedicated group. We can only hope that their dedication shows in the results.”
Finn stood behind and to the side, watching the exchange unfold.
He could feel himself becoming invisible in the conversation, reduced to a silent observer as the three of them discussed funding metrics and research protocols.
David commanded the space effortlessly, and Paul hung on his every word.
Finn was impressed by this side of Paul. He knew how to butter these people up.
"I have to say, Elena, I admire your boldness with this new approach," David said, his voice warm and genuine. "If you can pull this off, it will be a game-changer in the field.”
Elena's smile brightened. "Thank you. We believe we are on to something here."
"You are a truly brilliant woman. I hope I don’t say something stupid tonight and make a fool of myself," David said, his eyes lingering on her face. "I probably should have paid more attention in science class."
Elena laughed. "That's very generous of you to say."
Finn stood to the side, watching this exchange with growing discomfort.
Elena wasn't exactly eating up David's charm, but she wasn't deflecting it either.
There was an ease between them, a natural flow to their conversation that made Finn feel like an intruder.
David had the smooth confidence that came from success and experience. Things that Finn did not have.
David glanced around the room. "Well, I better go bother the rest of the board before they think I'm playing favorites." He stepped away, then turned back with a smile. "We still on for dinner Friday?"
The casual question caught Finn completely off-guard. The disappointment must have shown on his face because when he looked up, he caught Paul watching him with a knowing look.
Elena’s eyes widened with a smile. “Of course.”
David laughed warmly. "I still can't believe it. I finally agree to be set up with someone, and it turns out to be the researcher whose protocol has the entire board talking." He shook his head, amused. "Small world, right?"