Page 34 of Work and Play
“But if you and Finn were really together, would you consider staying?”
I tug my lower lip between my teeth and think about what she said. Not that a man would ever be the sole reason for a major life change like moving, but there’s more than just that. There’s Tom and his offer of work, there’s the peace and lower level of stress I feel being on Vancouver Island, and there’s this — friends who care about me and want me to be happy.
“Who knows,” I answer slowly. “I mean, I won’t stay just for him, but I do love it here.” The words sound wistful, even to my ears, and the answering smile on Paige’s and Mila’s faces solidify my wishful thinking into a more tangible desire. “I could be happy moving here.”
Mila claps her hands together. “That’s awesome. I really hope you do. And I can help you with somewhere to live. The apartment over the bakery is vacant, or Ethan and I have some rental properties. Ooh, or maybe you and Finn will fall madly in love and buy something, and then you’ll both never leave!” Her voice has increased in pitch and volume, and I tug at her sleeve to try and get her attention, but it’s futile.
“Mila, stop, you’re making some very grand assumptions,” Paige says chidingly.
I shoot Paige a grateful smile. “Yeah, I appreciate the enthusiasm, but one step at a time, okay?” Thankfully, Mila seems to get it, although she lets out a slightly disgruntled huff.
“Fine. But a year from now when you’re living together, I’m going to say I told you so.”
Emboldened by my conversation with the girls, and fueled by my panini and a toffee nut cookie from Mila, I drive back to the Airbnb. It’s time to stop avoiding Finn and face what’s happening between us head on. I can’t exactly deny the fact that I’m attracted to him, even when he’s being a growly, scowly jerk.
When I get home, the darkness that comes with short winter days is falling. I head inside and drop my coat and purse in my bedroom before going down the hall to Finn’s room. The door is slightly ajar, and I knock lightly. There’s no answer, but it’s not like he could go anywhere right now, so I push the door open. What I find inside softens my heart toward him even more.
I tiptoe into the room and just look at him. He’s sprawled on his back, one arm resting on his stomach and the other up by his head. His grey T-shirt has ridden up slightly, showing some tanned skin that rises and falls slowly with his breath. I can see his tattoos that snake down his arms, just begging for my fingers to trace them. His eyes are closed, those long lashes dusting his scruff covered cheeks. I carefully lift a blanket to cover him, and my hand drifts up to a lock of dark hair that has fallen over his forehead. Brushing it lightly aside, I feel a pang in my heart. I could easily fall for this man. Heck, I think I already am, despite everything.
“Ash?” His voice is rough with sleep. He blinks his eyes open, and there’s such a sense of peace in his expression, I can’t help but stroke my hand down his cheek.
“Hey. How are you feeling?”
His hand drifts up to hold mine against his cheek. “Better now that you’re back.” Well, damn. If that isn’t what every woman wants to hear, I don’t know what is.
“Is your leg sore?” I carefully sit down on the edge of his bed.
“Nah. Only when I move.” His eyes are dancing, and with startling clarity, I realize that somehow he owns a piece of my heart already.
“Then don’t move,” I tease right back, squeezing his hand gently. He chuckles quietly and brings his other hand up to play with my hair that has fallen over my shoulder.
“Stay here tonight?”
The hesitant way he asks tugs at every corner of my heart. He’s soft, open, vulnerable, and he wants me. I nod and slip off the bed. His hand grabs mine again and he looks at me questioningly.
“I’m just going to change,” I say quietly. His head relaxes back on the pillow with a small smile.
I hurry to the bathroom to brush my hair, tie it back in a loose braid, and brush my teeth, then head to my bedroom to change into some pajama shorts and a tank top. In the middle of pulling my tank top over my head, I hear Finn slowly make his way to the bathroom. Crap. What do I do? Do I go to his room now? Wait ‘til he’s done? Time to overthink this as I do everything else. Just as I decide to go and wait for him in his room, I open my door to see him standing on his crutches in the hallway.
“I was just coming,” I start to say, then stop when I realize the double meaning of the words I just said.
Finn raises his eyebrows in a sexy smirk. “I’ll take care of that someday, Ash.”
I blush furiously. “Oh God, I didn’t mean it like that.”
He chuckles softly. “That’s fine, I did. But not right now. Can we just…” he trails off and stares down at the floor before taking a deep breath and looking back at me. “I don’t want to push you or push us too fast. I just really want to hold you tonight.”
Oh, my heart.
“Okay.”
Together we slowly make our way into his room. I let Finn settle in bed first, but when he lifts the blankets beside him, I slide in. His arm reaches out and tugs me flush against his body so that my head is resting on his shoulder and my hand finds a place on his chest. I can feel the steady beat of his heart underneath me and when he kisses the top of my head, my lips curve into a smile.
“Is this okay?” he asks, and I nod. “Good. I just, I’ve noticed you’re not the kind of girl who like, hugs everyone.” I cringe. It’s always a guess as to how someone will take the fact that I’m not big on physical affection with people who are just my friends or less.
“Yeah, it’s weird, I know. I’ve just never really been affectionate with people other than my dad.”
“Nah, not weird. I guess I just want to make sure that doesn’t extend to cuddling with me.”
