Page 154 of Love Overboard
The only person whodidlook at me as Gisella and Cameron and Palmer screamed at each other was Leah. She didn’t say a word, but there was a softness in her gaze. I knew it wasn’t the time, but something about the way she looked at me told me she had room for forgiveness in her heart for me.
Not now. But one day.
Finn caught my eye in the chaos, his demeanor calm and steady. He jerked his head slightly toward the exit.
Let’s go.
Without a word, I slid out of my chair, following him through the crowded restaurant and out into the quiet night. I barely registered Luke and Lexi trailing us with their cameras until we hit the curb, Finn throwing a hand up for a cab.
When we were finally tucked inside, the doors closing out the noise, I let out a long, shuddering breath. “Well, that was unexpected,” I said with a laugh, leaning into Finn as he put his arm around my shoulders. “You know this isn’t going to change anything, right? Not their perception of us, not the world’s either.”
Finn rubbed my shoulder with a sigh of his own, kissing my hair. “Maybe not. But I spoke our truth.”
“I hate that we hurt them so much,” I said, voice low with the aching honesty. “I shouldn’t have used Eli to make you jealous.”
“I should have told Gisella I didn’t feel the same way she did — not just when we got here, but well before.” He scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “I think I wanted to believe it, that I was moving on. I wanted to be all in with her. But I knew I wasn’t even before I saw you again. And once I did…”
“I know,” I said. “You fucked me up bad, too.”
He laughed at that, turning those ocean eyes down to me. “Should I apologize to you as well, then?”
“I think we’ve had enough apologies between us to last a lifetime.”
“Hopefully, we won’t add any more.”
“I’m sure we will,” I said. “Love is messy. We’re human. We’re not meant to be perfect.”
“I don’t know. You’re pretty close.”
I rolled my eyes, kissing his jaw. “I’m sure I’ll screw up again. You probably will, too. But we’ll figure it out.” I hummed. “In fact, I will be apologizing to you in the morning.”
“For?”
I trailed my fingers over the buttons of his shirt. “Ruining this when I tear it off you.”
Finn tipped his head back in a loud laugh, his profile outlined by the glow of passing streetlights. When he settled, his eyes were on me, heated and satisfied and so full of love it made me weak.
“So… what’s next, Chef?” I whispered.
His hand found my jaw, lining it softly before he used his knuckles to tilt my chin.
“No idea, Firefly,” he said, his mouth on track for mine. “But as long as I’m with you?”
A kiss, strong and sure and sweet.
“I’m happy.”
CHARTER CONFESSIONAL
CLOSE QUARTERS
SEASON 4, EPISODE 15
CHARTER 9/SEASON END
FINN PEARSON: HEAD CHEF
PRODUCER
