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fifteen
Finn
Reeseand I had driven to the city this afternoon, as we’d both been swamped with work this week. I’d had several meetings, the most exciting being with my agent, where we’d finalized everything for the big-screen movie production I’d been offered the lead in. My career had really launched sinceBig Sky Ranchwas the hottest streaming series out there at the moment. The movie had a tight timeline, and they’d agreed to work around my schedule, which meant I’d be leaving for Tokyo right after New Year’s, and I’d be there for four weeks, and then I’d come home and start shooting season two.
I knew that I needed to strike while the iron was hot.
Reese’s business was also taking off. She had two clients, one being that dick weasel of an ex, who I doubted was really hiring her because he wanted his office professionally decorated. I had a hunch that jealousy was eating him up, and he would do just about anything to keep her close.
She hadn’t said much since her meeting with him at his house earlier in the week, so either he hit on her or said something she wasn’t ready to tell me because she’d been tight-lipped ever since.
I was at a fork in the road. I wanted the best for her—first and foremost, that was what I always wanted for Reese.
I was struggling with what to do at the moment. A part of me wanted her to have everything she wanted, and if that was Carl, I wouldn’t interfere with it.
But something had shifted in me. Maybe it was the lack of sex. Maybe it was the realization that I’d missed the shit out of her during our time apart. Maybe it was that hot-as-fuck night in my bathroom, or the fact that I wanted her in a way I’d never wanted anyone.
And that was fucking scary.
At first, I thought it was because she was off-limits because we’d made a pact. That maybe I just wanted what I couldn’t have, wanting the unknown. But being with her in London and seeing her so vulnerable after not being with her for so long—I think I knew I wanted her with me then. And not just in a friendly way. In a future sort of way… the way she wanted to be with Carl. And that sucked for me unless Carl was to fall by the wayside.
Fuck.
I wasn’t a relationship guy, so I didn’t have much to offer her. I didn’t know what I was capable of, and fucking anything up with Reese would be… unacceptable.
The worst move I could ever make.
Because there was no world that I existed in that she wasn’t a part of.
And she knew me better than I knew myself.
The potential for me to fuck things up was high—not that she’d shown any signs of being willing to go there either. Hell, she was still shaming herself for that drunken night in the bathroom weeks ago.
So, it wasn’t like I could tell her I wanted to give things a try for real. She’d laugh in my face. And she’d have a damn good reason to.
So, I’d fake date her. Continue being her best friend. And if the opportunity to cross the line and rock her fucking world presented itself, I would take it. See if we were as good together in the physical way as I hoped we were.
Give her a chance to see me in a different light.
I was older now. I’d played around enough to know what I wanted. I was tired of the game. Sure, I wanted to get laid; I was a sexual dude. But the problem was, I didn’t want anyone else.
I wanted Reese.
But it would have to happen on her terms. I sure as fuck wouldn’t push her, only to have her end up hating me.
Tonight, we were at a cocktail party at a swanky hotel in the city, and I’d gotten us a suite so we wouldn’t have to drive back home. Reese looked hot as fuck in her strapless black cocktail dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. Her hair was pulled back in a knot at the nape of her neck, a few pieces falling out around her pretty face. She’d been off with Angelique, chatting with the crew, while the directors, Charles and Sadie, pulled me aside to talk about the new season.
“Congratulations on finalizing the movie deal. That’s big news, Finn.” Charles held his glass up and clinked it against mine.
“Yeah. I’m looking forward to it. Thanks for being flexible and pushing the start date back by a few days for me.”
“Of course. Are you going to be okay being on set with Jessica?” Sadie asked as she sipped her martini.
The private room they’d rented at the hotel restaurant was buzzing, as everyone was excited to be reunited.
“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me. I’m grateful for the opportunity, and we’ll make it work.”
“You are a big part of the reason that this show has taken off, Finn. And it’s important to us that you’re happy. I know you’re going to be getting a lot of offers, and I want you to do what’s best for you. But you’re part of theBig Sky Ranchfamily, and we want you to be with us for the long haul. We’ll keep you and Jessica apart on set, and you won’t have any scenes together if we can help it.” Charles’s gaze locked with mine. These two had been great to work with, and I was grateful that they’d taken a shot on me.
