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Natalie takes a step closer, her perfume cloying in my nostrils. “Or what, Jake? You'll make me?” She laughs a harsh, brittle sound. “I'd like to see you try.”
We stare each other down for a long moment, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
I stand my ground, my voice low and controlled despite the anger simmering under my skin. “I'm not going to ask you again, Natalie. Leave. Now.”
As the door slams behind Natalie, I let out a shaky breath, my heart pounding. The adrenaline from our confrontation courses through my veins, leaving me jittery and on edge.
I need to find Finley to explain and apologize. I can't lose her, not like this.
I search the house, calling her name, my panic growing with each empty room. The bedroom, the bathroom, and the kitchen are all vacant, with no sign of Finley.
Her purse and keys are gone from the entryway table, and a sinking sensation settles in my gut.
She's gone.
I curse under my breath, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. What if she's hurt? What if she's lost? What if she's left me for good?
I collapse onto the couch, my head in my hands as I try to calm my racing thoughts.
I think back to all the special moments Finley and I have shared—the first time we met, our first kiss, the way she looks at me with those gorgeous green eyes.
I can't imagine my life without her.
With trembling hands, I pull out my phone and dial her number. It goes to voicemail, and I fight back a wave of despair.
“Finley, it's me,” I say, my voice rough with emotion. “I'm so sorry about what happened with Natalie. I never meant for you to get caught in all this. I need you to know that you and Amber are the most important people in my life. I love you, Finley. I love you more than I ever thought possible. Please, come back to me. I promise I'll make this right.”
I end the call and stare at my phone, willing it to ring. But the screen stays dark, and my heart sinks.
I can't let her slip away. I won't.
With a newfound sense of determination, I grab my keys and head for the door. I don't know where Finley's gone, but I'll search the whole damn town if I have to.
I'll do whatever it takes to win her back, to prove my love is true and unwavering.
I step out into the bright sunlight, my pulse racing with fear and hope.
“I'm coming, Finley,” I whisper.
Chapter 10
Finley
The cool metal of the spatula presses against my palm as I carefully smooth the buttercream over the cake layers. Each stroke is deliberate, almost meditative.
The sweet, familiar scent of vanilla envelops me like a comforting embrace.
As I step back to examine my work, a sense of pride surges through me. Delicate sugar flowers cascade down the tiers, each crafted with meticulous attention to detail.
I feel most at peace in these quiet moments, surrounded by the gentle hum of the refrigerator and the soft glow of the kitchen lights.
As I immerse myself in the rhythmic motions of icing, my mind wanders to what happened at Jake's house this morning.
The unexpected arrival of his ex-wife, Natalie, left me reeling.
I'm falling for him despite my efforts to guard myself. Jake's gentle strength and the way he looks at me as if I'm the only woman in the world are intoxicating and terrifying.
But he also has unfinished business, which makes me question whether I can trust him.
