by Gina Azzi
One Last Chance
Finding Love in Scotland Series Book 1
Gina Azzi
One Last Chance
Copyright © 2019 by Gina Azzi
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All rights reserved.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
To Aiva, Rome, and Luna - may you always
live fearlessly. I’m so proud to be your Mama.
Contents
1. Daisy
2. Finn
3. Daisy
4. Finn
5. Daisy
6. Finn
7. Daisy
8. Finn
9. Daisy
10. Finn
11. Daisy
12. Daisy
13. Finn
14. Daisy
15. Finn
16. Daisy
17. Finn
18. Daisy
19. Finn
20. Daisy
21. Finn
22. Daisy
23. Finn
24. Daisy
25. Finn
26. Daisy
27. Finn
28. Daisy
29. Finn
30. Daisy
31. Finn
32. Daisy
Epilogue
Thank You
Rescuing Broken
Acknowledgments
Also by Gina Azzi
About the Author
1
Daisy
Finn: Are you all set for your flight?
My heart rate simultaneously ticks up and slows down, warmth spreading through my chest, as I read Finn’s message.
Why?
My euphoria is short-lived as my mind kicks into overdrive, stomping on my poor little heart and her moment of victory.
Why, after the way Finn and I left things over Christmas, is he messaging me?
The sting of his rejection burns through me once more as I recall his sincere expression and apology. I’m sorry things can’t be different.
He’d said the words regretfully enough but that didn’t stop the humiliation from blazing through me. And now, a text message.
Did he change his mind about us? Does he think things could develop now? It’s not like I need a ring on my finger or a label of any kind; I don’t understand why we can’t explore what’s between us. Or, is Finn just being friendly since we’re going to be working together in three days?
“You all packed?”
Startled by the voice, I drop my phone next to me on the bed and duck my head, so my brother Jax won’t catch me acting flustered over a text message from a guy.
But Finn isn’t just any guy.
He’s more than that. He’s the guy who heightens my awareness, causing goosebumps to prickle the back of my neck and excitement to bounce in my bloodstream, just by entering a room. The one who kissed me sweetly under the mistletoe at Christmas. The guy who helped me hang the Christmas wreath my mother lovingly made so many years ago, and shared in my silence as I mourned her loss like I do every holiday.
And he turned you down.
I remind myself of this important detail sternly just as Jax’s head pops around the doorway. “Dais, you good?”
Glancing up, I throw my arm out to encompass my packed belongings. “All set.”
“I can’t believe you’re moving abroad,” Jax comments, walking into my room and sitting on the edge of my bed. “You ready for this?” He offers a half-smile, his green eyes watching me closely.
My laugh is nervous, as I tuck my hair behind my ear, my eyes roaming over my bare bedroom walls and the two neatly packed suitcases standing next to each other in the center of my room. “As ready as I’ll ever be,” I admit. “I just wish I knew more people.”
“Yeah, I know. But at least you’re in good hands with Sierra’s family. And you have Finn.” My brother raises his eyebrows, blatantly fishing for information on what’s brewing between Finlay and me. It’s no secret that things between us intensified when he visited Sierra, my best friend and his cousin, over Christmas.
And then they flatlined.
“We’re just friends.” I flick my wrist dismissively, hoping my voice conveys more confidence than I feel in that statement. I don’t know what we are.
Jax smirks, his eyes dancing with amusement. He doesn’t believe me for one second, but he doesn’t call me out on it. At least, not outright. “I’m going to give you some advice, Daisy girl.”
I roll my eyes, “Here we go.”
“Hey, come on now, you’re heading out and won’t receive this honesty from anyone else for a bit. Humor me.”
“Have at it.”
“Us guys, we’re different than you women.”
“Truly mind-shattering.” I deadpan.
My brother snorts, shaking his head. “It takes us longer to come around to things. We don’t react on our emotions. It’s a process and it takes time.”
I quirk an eyebrow at him. “I clearly remember you pursuing the hell out of Evie.”
“Yeah, after seven years of radio silence. Look, all I’m saying is, I wouldn’t count Finn out. I saw the way he was around you at Christmas. The way you two were always checking each other out, spending time together. He’s not as unattached and unavailable as you may think. He’s just better at hiding it.”
I wince, “Am I that obvious?”
Jax tilts his head sympathetically. “Buying him a Christmas stocking for our mantle was
a thoughtful gesture.”
I blush at the reminder, leaving out the part where Finn gifted me a Louis Vuitton Neverfull purse for Christmas.
“But things are different now, Dais. You’re moving to Edinburgh for an opportunity, a career. You’ll have other things on your plate to keep you busy.”
“You mean distracted.”
Jax shrugs. “I mean, just do you, Dais. Make sure you’re not giving all the power to Finn in whatever dance y’all are doing. You have a say too.”
I pick at the nail polish on my thumb. “You’re right. I’m going to Scotland for the job and if things happen with me and Finn,” I shrug, “it’s a bonus. But I’m not going to wait around for him or try to force something that isn’t there.”
“Good. I’d hate for you to miss out on the experience because of a guy.”
I shake my head, “You’ll be happy to know I made a New Year’s Resolution.”
“Oh, this oughta be good.”
“Stuff it. This is my Year of No Fear. New Year, new Daisy Kane.”
Jax laughs. “I like the ring to that. What does the Year of No Fear mean, exactly?”
I grin, brushing my hair away from my face. “I’m going all in. These past six months, with the job hunt and all the rejections, kind of sucked. But I’m moving now, starting my career, and having an adventure. I’m going to embrace it all, claim my future, and not let fear of failure hold me back. My Year of No Fear.”
“Just don’t come home with a Scottish accent.” Jax jokes, before his expression turns thoughtful. “I’m p
roud of you, Dais. You nervous at all?”
“A little. I just don’t know what to expect. I mean, obviously everyone speaks English and it’s not like there’s going to be a language barrier or anything but, I’m sure there will be cultural differences.”
“It’s normal. There will be. The homesickness will be the worst at the beginning, but make yourself go out, force yourself to be social even when you don’t feel like it, and it will get easier. Once you make friends and get comfortable in your surroundings, everything will fall into place.”
“Is that what you did? In the Army?” I pick at my fresh manicure again, averting my gaze as nostalgia sweeps through me. In a handful of hours, this, me and my brothers, living in our childhood home, being around all the time, will be over. The thought wraps around me unexpectedly and I draw in a sharp breath as I chip my new nail polish. Sitting on my hands, I look back up at Jax.
My brother tilts his head in my direction sympathetically, his features settling into a serious expression once more. “It was a bit more forced in the Army then it will be for you. I was constantly surrounded by people, naturally pulled into a group, that it was easier to make social connections. But yeah, the social aspect made everything easier. Once I started relating to guys like me, forming friendships, getting into my routine, being away from home wasn’t as hard. It’s an adjustment but you’ll handle it.”
“Hope so.” I offer a small smile. “I’ll keep your advice in mind. Are you taking me to the airport?”
“We all are,” Carter clarifies, striding into my bedroom. “You didn’t think we’d let you move across the world without a send-off party, did you?”
“Scotland is hardly across the world.” I grin at my second eldest brother, the one who pretty much raised me.
“It’s far enough,” Denver’s gravelly voice adds. He walks over to my suitcases and tests the weight of each, pulling on the handles. “You’re cutting it close, but I don’t think you’ll have excess baggage fees.”
“The silver lining,” I joke.
“Do you have your passport?” Carter asks me for the ninth time this morning.
“Got it. I think I’m all good. I have everything I absolutely need. Passport, wallet, phone, laptop.”
“You’ll call when you land?”
I shake my phone at him. “I will do that since Anderson PR made my phone plan international.”
Den smirks, Jax chuckles, but Carter’s expression remains the same.
“I’ll be back next month,” I remind him. “Gotta make sure this one doesn’t mess up his wedding vows.” I jerk a thumb toward Denver, turning to face him. “Especially since you’re marrying my best friend and I won’t ever forgive you if you don’t make her my sister.”
Denver snorts, “Taking those Maid of Honor duties seriously.”
“Of course.”
Finally, Carter grins and reaches out to pull me into a hug. With his head pressed against mine, he murmurs into my ear, “I’m gonna miss you, Dais. It feels different this time.”
I sigh into my brother’s shoulder. I knew saying good-bye to him would be the hardest. “I know.”
“When you went to ASU,” he pulls back and looks at me, his seafoam green eyes flickering with an emotion I can’t place, “I knew you’d be back. But this time, I’m not so sure.”
“But we’ll still keep the house, right?” I ask, a wave of panic unfurling in my chest. In a handful of hours, I’ll be embarking on a new adventure, starting my life in Scotland. But my childhood home has always been my one constant. After my mom passed and with my dad out of the picture, it was the one place my brothers and I maintained as a family unit. What if my brothers sell our house while I’m in Scotland, and things don’t work out and I end up homeless? What if I’m not here to say good-bye? To adjust to the idea that it’s even gone?
“We’re keeping the house,” Denver reassures me. “At least, for now.”
Relief causes my limbs to relax that we’re keeping the house. Financially, it doesn’t make any sense. In the past year, all three of my brothers have found women who make them better men and have moved forward with their lives and out of my childhood home. Even though the house is going to sit empty, I’m still grateful that we’re figuring it out. For now.
Carter grins down at me. “Don’t worry about the house. You’re going to do great in Edinburgh, Dais. This company is lucky to have you.”
I scoff at his words, feeling the blush as it works across my cheeks. “We’ll see about that.”
“And Finn is lucky to be working with you.” Denver throws out, his eyes boring into mine as he searches for a sign to understand what’s going on with Finn.
Rolling my eyes, I glance at my watch, ignoring his obvious attempt to get me to spill information. “We better get going.”
“Not even going to bite?” Jax jokes, a rumble of laughter working its way up from his chest.
“Finn and I are friends.” I repeat, not bothering to glance at any of my brothers as I sense them all sharing a look over my head.
“We’re ready to head out when you are.” Carter finally says.
“Let’s go.” I stuff my cell phone with the unanswered message from Finn into the beautiful Louis Vuitton Neverfull bag he bought me, my heart skipping a beat at the thoughtful gift, and follow my brothers’ downstairs.
Denver carries my suitcases out to Carter’s SUV, as I turn in the foyer of my home, taking in the surroundings and spending a long moment memorizing everything in case it’s all different the next time I’m here.
The worn wooden floors and lumpy cushions on the couches. The swinging door to the kitchen and the rickety stairs. It isn’t much to behold but it’s home. My home. The home my brothers fought to maintain my entire childhood, so I wouldn’t face the instability of the foster system.
I let out a long sigh, my fingertips trailing along the chipping paint on the wall.
Good-byes are always difficult, bittersweet. But this good-bye, it is different. Carter was right; this time, I don’t know if I’ll ever move back here on a permanent basis. I know it’s okay to explore the world and collect new experiences, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt to move on.
Still, this is my Year of No Fear.
“See you later, home.” I say, biting my lower lip as emotion clogs my throat.
Then I stiffen my spine, square my shoulders, and close the front door firmly behind me. Exhaling the morning air, I settle into the backseat of Carter’s SUV, and watch out the window as we head toward the Savannah airport and my hometown fades away.
When the plane’s wheels touch down in Edinburgh, my stomach is a mess of nerves, anxiety, and an expanding bubble of excitement. I’m here. I’m really doing this.
Turning on my phone, I grin at the barrage of messages appearing on my screen, my anxiety melting and a genuine smile crossing my face. My stopover in New York was so short I didn’t have time to check in with my family, as I literally raced from one plane to the next.
Jax: Let us know when you land.
Carter: We miss you already.
Denver: Call Sierra’s mom. She keeps asking me if you like pot roast or turkey???
Sierra: Welcome to beautiful Scotland, my bestie! I miss you being in the same time zone as me already. Call me—or literally anyone in my family—if you need ANYTHING. Denver and I are heading back to New York and my schedule is clear to talk whenever you have time. Love you!
Finn: Hey love. I’m in arrivals.
My heart stutters, almost shutting down completely at the last message. Finn is here?
Again, the question that plagues me: why?
Why, oh why? I thought I’d grab a cab to my new apartment and unpack. Have a quiet night in my new life, maybe crack a bottle of wine, and explore my neighborhood for a dinner spot.
But now, Finn’s here.
Gone is the jet-lag. Instead, I’m wide-awake, hyper even. While part of me panics at the thought of seeing Finn when I look less th
an my best, think greasy hair and crusty eyes, a much larger part of me does a happy dance that he’s here. For me. Or for Anderson PR? Or because Sierra asked him to pick me up?
Thoughts of our last encounter flood back, kicking my nerves into high gear. The surreptitious glances, the sweet, reverent kiss, followed by the sexy, desire-fueled make-out session in my kitchen. The feel of his biceps bunching under my touch, the smooth planes of his back, the narrow taper to his waist. His clear, bright blue eyes and dark hair. The way his kiss swallowed me whole, transporting me to another place entirely. I could lose myself in Finn; I want to lose myself in Finn.
He manages to throw me off guard, whether he’s dressed in one of his attorney power suits, or sipping coffee in my kitchen with a pair of reindeer pajama pants riding low on his hips.
I’ve crushed on him for far too long, becoming breathless and nervous, like a pre-teen girl, in his company. The tables turned over Christmas. But at the end of it, Finn reminded me that nothing would happen between us. Sure, he said it with a sincere apology and a flicker of regret in his eyes, but nonetheless, he put me back into my place—colleague/surrogate cousin.
And I made a New Year’s resolution to live fearlessly. It’s time for me to stiffen my backbone around Finn Anderson and proceed with our friendship, or whatever we’re calling it, on my terms.
Fluffing the roots of my hair with my fingers and smearing on some lip gloss, I stand from my seat and shoulder my carry-on.