Page 99 of Capture The Moment

Chapter 22

“Thanks a lot for agreeing to this, Nikki,” Harper said.

“No problem. I’m just so happy for you and Finn,” Nikki said as she handed Harper the key to the store.

After she drove away, Harper grabbed the bags out of the back seat of her car and entered the store, locking the door behind her. She didn’t want Finn to come in before she’d finished setting up.

Friday night had finally arrived, and she was filled with anticipation, wondering what Finn would think about her surprise. Somehow, she’d managed to keep her secret all week long, and now the time had come to reveal it.

The first time Finn had brought her to the shop, she’d noticed a small table and some chairs that the previous tenant must have left behind. She pulled them out into the center of the back part of the shop and began setting the table with the things she’d brought: a tablecloth, candles, a chilled bottle of Champagne, and two glasses. Next, she scrolled through the playlist on her phone until she came to the collection of songs that she’d saved. She started the music playing and then inhaled deeply, willing herself to relax.

Suddenly, she was interrupted by a loud knock on the door, and glancing down at her watch, she smiled. He was early like always. Smoothing her hands down the front of her red dress and tucking her hair behind her ears, she went to answer the door, stepping carefully in her high heels.

The minute Finn saw her through the glass, his face lit up with surprise. She opened the door and motioned him inside, and then he immediately pulled her into his arms.

“What’s going on? Where’s Nikki? Why are you so dressed up? Not that I mind, because, man, you look hot!”

Giggling, she took his hand and pulled him behind the partition and toward the back of the store. When he saw the table and heard the music, he froze.

“Harper?”

“Yes?” she said as she poured them each a glass of Champagne.

“What are we celebrating?”

Handing him a glass of bubbly, she said, “We’re celebrating you, us, and the future of O’Brien Brothers Landscaping.” And then, eyeing him seductively, she took a long sip of Champagne.

Finn followed suit, and then taking her glass out of her hand, he set them both down on the table. Slipping his hands around her waist, he pulled her forward until she came up against his hard chest.

“You did all this for me?” he said, his voice gruff.

She nodded. “This isn’t anything compared to what you’ve done for me.”

“Ah, sweetheart.” And then he bent his head down and kissed her soft and slow. Harper went up on her tiptoes and wound her arms around his neck to get closer, loving the way they fit together.

When they pulled apart, they were both breathing hard, but Finn didn’t let go. “Love you in that dress.”

Her heart was pounding wildly because there it was—the word that she longed to say to him. “Thanks. I bought it especially for tonight.”

“How long have you been planning this?”

“For a week or two,” she said.

He started to dip his head down for another kiss, but she put a finger to his lips to stop him. “Finn?”

“Yeah?”

“I have something to tell you, but I’m not sure where to begin.”

“Do you want to sit down? Do you want another drink?”

“No,” she said, shaking her head vehemently.

“What is it, sweetheart? Just tell me.”

He’d cupped her face in his hands, and as she gazed into his eyes, she saw everything she wanted and needed to see.

“I love you,” she blurted out. “I do. I love you, Finn. And I’m sorry it took me so long to tell you, but I was scared. And the thing is, I’m not now. Not anymore. I want this. I want you. I love you.”