Page 153 of Love Overboard
“That’s not fair, G,” Finn said, his tone still even but firmer now. “I was clear. You knew where we stood — probably well before I put words to it, if we’re being honest. I hadn’t touched you all season. We hadn’t shared more than a public kiss that I knowyouknew was performed on my part.”
Gisella’s jaw clenched.
“There was also a note that I left for Ember explaining all of that,” Finn added. “I slipped it under her door after the crew beach day, but for some reason, it never made it to her.”
Gisella shrugged again. “I don’t know why you’re looking at me when you say that. I couldn’t care less about the stupid love notes you wrote to my roommate.”
I sighed. There was no way she was ever going to admit she’d taken it — even though we all knew she had.
“Look, I’m sorry for the way it all unfolded,” Finn said, his voice softening. He shifted, pinning Gisella with a look full of regret. “While I didn’t cheat on you, I did let things continue between us for far too long when I knew my heart wasn’t in it. I was trying to do the right thing — whatever that is. I was trying to untangle the messiest knot of all time, but I shouldn’t have made you believe I still had feelings for you when I knew I didn’t. I’m sorry I hurt you. Truly, I am.” He looked at everyone else then. “I’m sorry I bollocksed the energy we had on board. We were a family, and I regret that I ruined that.”
And then, without hesitation, he turned to me.
“But I’m not sorry for this.”
He grabbed my hand — bold and sure — and lifted it to his mouth, pressing a kiss to my knuckles with a reverence that stole my breath.
“I love her,” he said simply. No drama. No theatrics. Just the truth that had been burning between us since the first day we boarded theSinking Sun.
My heart split wide open.
The table was silent, stunned into a stillness that felt deafening. Finn rubbed his thumb over my knuckles, his eyes never leaving mine.
“And maybe the thing I’m most sorry for is not realizing that sooner.”
My eyes welled, pulse thrumming in my veins. I wanted to kiss his face off.
Before I could sayfuck itand do just that, Gisella let out a sharp, incredulous laugh.
“Oh, sure,” she snapped. “What a romantic story you’ve spun. Star-crossed lovers against the big, bad reality TV show. But even if you did call it quits with me before you shagged her, you obviously had feelings before that. Don’t act like you’re innocent.”
Palmer snorted.
That had all the heads spinning to him, Gisella most of all, her brows furrowed in offense. Palmer shook his head at first, like he wasn’t going to elaborate on that reaction.
But then, he laughed and said, “You know what? Fuck it.” He leaned forward, pressing his finger to the table with his eyes on Gisella. “Are you really going to sit there and pretend like I wasn’t in your bed that same night?”
My jaw hit the floor, along with half the table. Bernard was the only one seemingly not shocked. He sat back with his hands threaded behind his head and a giant grin. “Here we go.”
“What?” Leah gasped, her hand covering her mouth.
Cameron let out a low whistle. “So that whole thing when you kissed me in the hot tub — that wasn’t to piss Finn off, was it? You were trying to make Palmer jealous.”
Gisella paled, her façade cracking under the weight of the accusation.
“Wow,” Leah breathed. “So Cameron wasn’t enough? What, did you plan to hook up witheveryguy on the boat and justpick which one suited you best?” She shot a glare at Eli. “Have something to tell us, too?”
Eli threw his hands up. “Don’t look at me, bru. I was all in for Em.” His expression was hard when it met mine. “What a chop.”
“I’m sorry, Eli,” I croaked. “You didn’t deserve that.”
“Damn right, I didn’t.”
Bernard picked up his drink and gave it a swirl. “Bloody hell. Someone pass the popcorn.”
I tried to hold Eli’s gaze as arguments erupted around the table, but he shook his head and looked away, not giving me the time of day.
And he didn’t owe me that. He didn’t owe me anything.
