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This last year had not only shown me that I was ready to spread my wings professionally, that I was ready to get my relationship with Carl back on track, but it also showed me how much I’d missed my best friend.
My ride or die.
And I’d missed being here, in Cottonwood Cove, more than I’d ever imagined.
“Damn. That is so good. I kind of wish I was going to stay and eat here.”
“So, stay and eat here,” he said, setting the spoon down and crossing his arms over his Henley-covered chest. His muscles pressed against the fabric, and I took him in. He really was a beautiful man. He had fans and women that fawned all over him, but he was still just Finn.
The boy who’d convinced me at the young age of five years old that if we left food out at night for our gummy worms, they would come to life while we were sleeping.
The boy who’d gone with me to get my ears pierced when I was ten years old because I was too afraid to go alone.
The boy who’d always saved a spot for me at lunch right beside him, from kindergarten through high school.
Even when I was dating Carl our senior year, he’d still hold that spot for me, just in case I didn’t want to sit with my boyfriend that day.
He was also the boy who went to every single chemo treatment with me for months. He never missed one. A lump formed in my throat at the memory—how Finn had somehow made my treatments tolerable.
“I need to go talk to him and find out how serious things are with him and his new girlfriend.” I cleared my throat. “See if we can salvage this.”
He studied me for the longest time as I reached into my purse and popped a mint into my mouth. I didn’t know what to expect tonight, but I wanted to be prepared. “Yeah, yeah, sure. A lifetime of boring sex and being a doctor’s wife sounds really appealing.”
“Says the guy who doesn’t do relationships. You don’t know what it’s like out there, Chewy. I don’t want to waste years looking for Mr. Right when I’m fairly certain I’ve already found him.”
He nodded and looked away. “I just want you to be happy, Miney.”
“I am. I’ve been so happy being back home and here with you. With the holidays coming up, it just feels really good.”
“It does. I’m glad you’re here. But I’ve got to say, I don’t think it’s cool that he changed the plans to dinner tonight.”
I pursed my lips and studied him. “Why does that matter?”
“Because you’re my woman, right? I mean, as far as he knows. He can’t just take you to dinner without running it by me. That’s all I’m saying.”
“I think that chili pepper has made you a little crazy. You don’t need to play the role of the caveman boyfriend. This is what we wanted to happen, remember?”
He turned away and huffed, and I couldn’t help but laugh. He was being ridiculous.
The doorbell rang, and we both startled. “He’s here. He insisted on picking me up.”
“I’ll bet he did. What a fucking gentleman.” He made no attempt to hide his irritation as he tried to shove past me.
“You do not need to walk me to the door,” I whisper-hissed, moving in front of him.
“What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn’t make sure that he knew I was paying attention?”
I shook my head and grumped. “The fake kind?”
“Hey. I take my role very seriously. Don’t underestimate me.”
Finn opened the door and immediately glared at Carl as I slipped into my jacket.
“Hey. You look—” Carl paused and looked at Finn before turning his attention back to me. “Nice.”
“Nice observation. But she always looks nice. Come here, baby.” Finn reached for my hand and spun me until I slammed into his chest. He tipped my chin up, and his lips covered mine. We hadn’t discussed any pregame kiss, but he was the professional actor, so I’d follow his lead.
His lips were soft, just like the last time he’d kissed me. I’d thought about it a lot since it had happened. The man could definitely kiss.
