Page 20 of Daring to Love

6

Finlay

“Am I going to get into trouble with a boyfriend if I walk you home tonight?”

The words slip past my lips before I can stop myself, but if I have to be honest, I’m not sorry. All through dinner, I’ve had the most fun I’ve had in a long fucking time, and while the lines between us are blurring – a fact I shouldn’t forget – I don’t want it to end yet.

She shakes her head and gives me another shy smile. An adorable blush creeps up her neck and cheek, and she looks down.

My fingers itch to run across those flaming cheeks, but instead, I rest them loosely in my lap.

“I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“That surprises me.”

I grin, delighted that she’s not taken. I can’t stop myself.

“I don’t have time for a boyfriend,” she murmurs softly as she runs her hand up her neck again.

“I don’t believe that.”

She sits up straighter and meets my gaze.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

I take a sip of my pint before I voice my answer carefully.

“I can’t say I’m an expert on these things, but I believe that if something is important enough, you make the time for it. That if you want something with every fibre of your bones, you do what you have to do to get it. Doesn’t matter if it’s professionally or personally – if you don’t take what you desperately want, you’ll wilt away.”

Her eyes are riveted on mine, and I get the sense that I’m not really answering her question anymore. I’m asking for her to give me a chance.

“Is that so?”

I flash her another smile.

“Yeah.”

“And what if I tell you that I’ve never had a boyfriend?”

This girl keeps surprising me in a so many ways.

“I find that hard to believe.”

Her lips fall and if I knew her better, I would’ve sworn there’s a glimmer of disappointment aimed at me when she breaks our stare.

“Believe what you want.” She dabs at her lips before she folds her napkin, placing it down next to her empty bowl. “I have to get home.”

The dismissal is clear as day, and I’ve run out of excuses for us to spend the rest of the night here at this quaint little pub.

“Of course. I’ll go settle our bill.”

“You don’t have to…”

“No arguments, Amelie.”

She opens her mouth but shuts it when I give her a firm shake of my head.

“Seeing as I practically forced my company on you tonight, it’s only fair I pay for our dinner.”