Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 140742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 563(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 563(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
“I follow you online,” Nathan blurts out, blushing deeply, and then glances at Finn. “Only because my ex-girlfriend was always talking about the makeup you use and it made it easier to buy her presents.”
“Sure, keep telling yourself that, pal,” Jimmy says from the couch, making everyone laugh, and Nathan’s cheeks turn redder, if possible.
My heart skips a beat when Finn’s fingers graze mine before he laces our hands together.
“I can’t wait to see both of you on the ice,” Nathan says quickly. “I went to some Blaze games to watch Dame and he’s a solid winger.”
“I agree,” Finn says.
“I don’t know how the two of you are going to walk around Fairview together,” Luis says, walking over and serving himself a plate of cheese and crackers. He’s stabbing a toothpick into the bowl of olives, glancing at Finn. “Brace yourself, because everyone in town tries to hit on her.”
“Let them fucking try,” he growls.
“Finneas!” I hiss, squeezing his hand.
He leans over until his mouth is near my ear. “Careful, baby. You know what that does to me.”
A full shiver runs through my body. I shoot him a glare and mouth, “I’m going to kill you.” My face is burning when he smiles at me—that slow, wide, sensual smile that’s only for me.
Luis ignores that and points his toothpick outside. “That one over there is an idiot. You’re far better suited for each other.”
“I agree,” Finn says.
Nathan snickers. “I told him he’s an idiot for what he did and letting her go. If she were mine—” He flinches as he looks at Finn. “I’m sorry, dude. I word vomit when I’m nervous.”
Finn lets go of my hand and slides it up the side of my body slowly until he reaches the cutout of my dress. He brushes his thumb up and down my exposed skin. Oh my God. I’m going to kill him.
“No, you’re right,” he says. “Unfortunately for you and everyone else in the entire galaxy, she’s mine and I’m not an idiot.”
My gaze snaps to his and my heart does a little free fall when I see the intensity in his eyes.
“Let’s eat some cake!” Dame says, clapping his hands loudly and setting everyone in motion.
I’m still rooted to my spot, lost in the endless forest that sits inside of Finn’s green eyes. My mom calls my name and I nearly jump out of my skin. Finn chuckles so quietly I’m sure only I can hear it. His eyes twinkle and he winks at me as he pulls me toward the cake that I’m no longer hungry for.
Tate walks back inside to sing happy birthday, but keeps his distance. When Finn and I move to the dining area to share a slice of cake, we're joined by my mom and Dame. Everyone else goes back to their papers, discussing depositions and trials.
A few hours later, at the restaurant, the hostess smiles at us and looks at Finn. “Your usual table?”
He shakes his head and points at an empty table smack in the middle of the dining area. “I want that one.”
Her light blonde eyebrows shoot up. She glances at me and grins wide, a knowing twinkle in her blue eyes. I can’t help but laugh.
“Follow me!” she says brightly and leads us to our table.
“Is your ‘usual table’ where you take your fuck buddies?” I ask when she walks away, my tone a little snappier than I intend.
His lips curve into a shadow of a smile. “I don’t have fuck buddies, and for the record, I haven’t touched anyone in Fairview since sophomore or junior year of high school.”
“Oh.” I pick up my menu and feel myself frown as I process that. I set it down again. “What about me?”
He lowers his menu. “You’re an outlier.”
“But … why?” I ask. “And I’m not asking you because I want you to shower me with compliments. I’m just trying to understand.”
“I’m not sure if I can explain it.”
The server comes by to take our order. We both stick with water and put in our food orders. Well, Finn does, since he’s been here and wants me to try four different dishes. When he leaves, I focus on him again.
“Try,” I say.
He laughs lightly. It’s not an amused laugh, though, and doesn’t reach his eyes. It’s his public laugh, and it makes me wonder if he’s nervous. I reach out and just before I set my hand over his, he flips his over to welcome mine.
“Just try.”
“Fine, but I want to make it very clear that I don’t believe in love at first sight,” he says, very seriously. I give a nod. “When I got to Pearl that night for my sister’s birthday, I said hi to her and walked over to where Ella and Ham were. Ham was already leaving, so I turned to say goodbye to him and I saw you.”