Page 177 of Rookie Attraction

I cup his hip to still his movements.

“Behave.”

“Fine. But only for now.”

Finn reaches down to place his hand over mine, and I give his left shoulder a tender kiss.

“Tell me more about what happened.”

“Like I said, they didn’t freak out, but they’re questioning things.” Finn sighs. “On the one hand, they can tell how we feel about each other. On the other, they’re worried about what happens next.”

“Are you going to tell the rest of your family?”

“Yes. Before I head back to New York.”

“You sound remarkably calm about it,” I offer.

“I’m exhausted as fuck. I’m sure once that wears off, once I tell everyone the truth and I’m on the plane ride back, it’ll hit me.”

The insecure part of me is waiting for Finn to say, “This is too much, I can’t do it.”

“So, you are planning to come back to New York?” I ask.

“Of course. Where do you think I’d be going? Once I know that my mom’s well enough to be released, I’m heading back to work.”

“Good plan,” I whisper, relief filling me as I kiss his temple.

Finn lets out a huge yawn and snuggles in closer, resting his cheek on my bicep.

“Also, I want to give Hugo the heads up about us.”

My body stills and Finn looks over his shoulder.

“And yes, I’m sure, Sel,” he adds, staring at me. “It’s time.”

I’m about to lean in and kiss him when he lets out another yawn.

“Sorry,” he chuckles.

“On that note, close your eyes and go to sleep.”

“You won’t let go?”

Instead of replying, I throw one leg over his hip so he can’t move.

“Yes,” he whispers. “That’s more like it.”

Chapter Thirty

FINN

THE NEXT DAY

I come to with a sudden awareness that I’m not in my own bed, and when I blink, I find myself lying on top of Sel. No, it’s not my imagination, he really is here. Even in sleep and snoring my boyfriend is gorgeous, and I want to pinch myself that he’s here. But when my eyes roam over his slumberous face, I notice that I’m not the only one fighting dark circles. I trace my fingertip gently over his cheekbone, and while the snoring stops, his eyes are still closed. Finally, I’ve got a moment to look my fill and I’m not wasting a second of it. Sel cut a day from his vacation to come see me and my family, and my heart literally can’t take it. But I’m as worried about him as he is about me because he looks like he hasn’t had a good night’s sleep since…

“Stop staring and kiss me.”

I laugh and reach down to pinch his hip.