by Lila Kane
He laughed, opening the door for me when we reached the Business sector. “Not the whole world. Not yet, anyway. But Powell needed the facts. You’re with me and I want to make sure you’re safe. He’s on board with that.”
“Wait—”
“Work,” Finn interrupted with his own smile, pulling me into the elevator.
My heels clicked on the floor as I hurried in after him. The doors shut, locking us in. Alone. Finn swiveled to face me, catching my face in his hands. “One last thing.”
His lips were on mine in an instant, tongue plunging into my mouth as his hand twisted in my hair. My pulse leaped and my shoulder blades hit the wall of the elevator. I fumbled to clasp my hands around his neck, to draw him closer, but he pulled back just as abruptly.
Leaving me panting.
“How’s that for the real world?” Finn asked with a grin.
He plucked my purse from the floor where I’d dropped it and passed it over. My fingers closed around it, shaking from the sudden adrenaline rush.
“Tell me you’ll think about what I said this morning,” Finn said.
Still out of breath, I nodded. At this point, I’d probably agree to anything he said. “I will. I’ll think about it.”
“Good.”
He took my hand in his again and led us out of the elevator. “Back to work.”
Finn wouldn’t let me forget our conversation. An hour into work, he texted me. I’ll let you have your own closet.
With a roll of my eyes, I set the phone aside only to hear it chime again. This time he wrote, No, wait. One closet for shoes and another closet for the rest.
This got a chuckle out of me. But I turned my phone on silent and went back to work.
It felt good to have a new purpose. I belonged here at Oasis and no one was going to take that away from me. I had friends now. Leslie and Paige and even Tucker. No one was going to take that away from me either.
And as far as an apartment…I wanted my own place, I realized. Because I hadn’t been able to enjoy my own space without feeling scared in it since I’d left Mark. But I also enjoyed being with Finn and I understood where he was coming from. Even if it was faster than I’d expected.
But I guessed there was more to it than him just wanting to be close to me. He wanted to make sure I was safe and taken care of, too. And that alone wasn’t a good reason for us to move in together.
After working for another hour, Leslie arrived in my doorway with a cup of coffee and a slip of paper. She passed me the coffee first.
“Finn asked if I’d pick this up for you from downstairs. He said you liked the chai kind.”
I pressed my fingers to my temples with a reluctant smile. “Yes, I do. Thank you. I wish he wouldn’t have asked you to do that.”
“Don’t thank me. Mr. Moore is the best boss ever. He just gave me an engagement present.”
“Really? That was nice of him.” I grinned, curious. “Can I ask what he got you?”
Leslie ventured farther into the room, her eyes lighting. “It was more like…an engagement bonus.”
“Really,” I said again.
She nodded, setting her hands on the back of the chair opposite me. “A really, really generous bonus.”
That sounded like Finn. And it was nice he cared enough to do something. “You deserve it.”
“That’s what he said. It’s really going to help with the honeymoon. I want to go to Venice.”
“I’d die to go to Venice,” I told her. “My aunt went when I was a kid and she made it sound so magical. I’ve wanted to go ever since.”
“I’ll find all the best places and tell you about them so you can plan your own trip one day.”
I let my mind be dazzled by that possibility for a short moment. Venice. With Finn. He’d make it an adventure. Maybe he’d already been and he could show me around.
Maybe living together wasn’t such a bad idea since we spent all our time together anyway.
I changed my train of thought, refocusing on Leslie. “I’d really like to take you out for drinks or something next week. To celebrate. We could do a girls’ night.”
Leslie smiled. “That would be great. My family can’t come until next month, and I’ve been showing off my ring and everything but I haven’t really had anyone to party with.”
“Well, we’d better party. Then your engagement will really be official.”
“Alcohol pretty much makes everything official,” she said with a laugh and then glanced at the note in her hand. “Sorry, Mr. Moore wanted you to have this, too.”
I accepted the paper and glanced at his brief message. We can move your things tonight. If you aren’t convinced by the end of the day, I’ll send Jake to change your mind.
Sighing, I set the note aside.
“Everything okay?” Leslie asked.
“It’s…Finn. This is probably inappropriate to talk about at work, but I need someone else to talk to besides him. He wants me to move in.”
She lifted her eyebrows.
“I know. I’m sorry. He’s your boss. He’s practically my boss. It’s—”
“No.” She waved off my apology. “I don’t care. Mr. Moore’s a good boss, and you do your job, so it’s not like I’m going to complain about unfair treatment. Besides, engagement bonus, remember?”
“Still…” She sat in the chair across from me and waited, so I continued. “He wants me to move in and I’m not sure. It’s fast, right? Too fast.”
“I moved in with Greg after six months, but that’s only because he’s kind of old-fashioned and we were both so busy with work, it didn’t seem like that long anyway. I would’ve moved in faster if he’d been open to it. I already knew he was the one. So, there are other factors to consider. Besides, you guys have history, right?”
“Right.” I sipped my chai, thoughtful. “We practically lived together already in college. He had an apartment off campus and I was there every day.”
“So, what’s the problem?” Leslie asked.
I bit my lip. What was the problem? “I guess…I’m not the same person I used to be. I’m more cautious.”
“You’re worried it’s not going to work out?”
I lifted my shoulders in a shrug. There was only so much I could tell her, and that was going to have to change, too.
Leslie held up a finger and listened. Then she rolled her eyes when we heard ringing. “Those phones.” She stood. “You think on that and come up with an answer.”
I laughed. “Okay.”
“And we’ll talk—and party—next week. I’m still riding my engagement high—so be forewarned, I’m trying to get everyone else married, too.”
She walked off, leaving me shocked in my seat. Marriage. That was a word I wouldn’t let myself think. Or hadn’t since Mark. We’d been engaged and for a while it had been great. Just like Leslie, I’d been walking on air, living that engagement high. Looking at dresses, thinking about the honeymoon, making plans. Plans that hadn’t included my family, but plans nonetheless.
I was happy. Or, at least, my version of happy at the time. More like, I was settled. I had a plan. I had a future. I wasn’t scared that Mark would leave me or tell me he’d changed his mind. I wasn’t worried he’d hurt me like Finn had.
Instead, he hurt me in a different way. A whole lot worse.
Maybe that’s why I was scared now. Another commitment meant trust I was still afraid to give. Not because I thought Finn would intentionally hurt me again but that it would happen somehow. Or that I’d be too afraid for anything more serious down the road, so I’d hurt him.
I forced myself to get back to work and didn’t resurface again until lunchtime. I was already standing, ready to head to Finn’s office, when I saw an email come in.
Smiling, I prepared myself for another note from Finn. I even started reading the first several words with that same goofy smile on my face. Until they started to sink in. Until I realized I didn’t recognize the sender.
The wording
sounded nothing like Finn either. Nothing at all.
John. It had to be. Especially because of what was written.
I reread the words, rubbing my arms as chills raced over them.
I didn’t mean to scare you. I only wanted you to know how I felt, and then everyone got in the way. I’m not like your ex, I promise you. Once I found out what he’d done, I decided not to help him anymore. But he threatened to expose me and I couldn’t let that happen. Please know I’d never hurt you. I only want what’s best for you and maybe someday I’m the one who will make you happy.
“Charlotte?”
I yanked my hand from the computer mouse like it’d shocked me and stumbled back so fast, I bumped into my chair. “Jake,” I breathed. “Oh my God, I didn’t hear you.”
He frowned, looking just like Finn when he did it. “Clearly. What’s wrong?”
I fumbled a smile and glanced away. “Nothing. Just surprised.”
“No, before that. Before I came in here and scared the shit out of you. You were as white as a ghost.” He jerked his chin to my computer. “Something happened.”
“You’re…” I gave a choked laugh. “You’re too observant for your own good.”
His nod was thoughtful. “And yet no one wants to tell me what’s going on.”
“Finn—”
“Won’t give me details. It’s the right thing to do, on his end. He doesn’t want to tell your secrets—not unless you want them told.”
I pressed a hand against my chest, trying to calm my racing heart. Trying to suppress the panic that wanted to claw its way up my throat.
Jake came around the desk, immediately wrapping his arms around me. “Don’t give me that look.”
“What look?” I managed.
“Like you’re going to cry. You don’t have to tell me anything—I’m just worried for you. And I know Finn is, too.”
I nodded. I wasn’t going to cry. Not this time.
“I want to tell you, Jake.” I eased back, putting a little space between us. I could control the tears better when he wasn’t trying to take care of me just like Finn always did. “I said I wasn’t going to run from this anymore, and I’m not.”
He gave me a curious look, but only nodded and returned to the other side of the desk.
I pressed Print on the email screen and then said, “Let’s go find Finn.”
CHAPTER NINE
Finn and Jake were like twins, both pacing in front of the window in Finn’s large office, only stopping to share thoughts with each other or ask me questions. Curtis had already come and gone, taking the evidence but unable to provide anything new about John and his whereabouts.
They still couldn’t find him. He still hadn’t had any contact with Mark. Dustin still planned on following me around.
But this time, Curtis had suggested we talk to the police. And after dropping by the station and speaking with two detectives, it felt better to have done something else to help the situation.
Now it seemed like I was the only one, for once, keeping calm about the situation. I sat on the couch, legs crossed and arms folded, watching them walk back and forth.
“I don’t think John’s going to do anything,” I said.
Finn glanced over, giving me a look that said Oh, really?
Jake shook his head. “That’s not the point.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s exactly the point. Why worry about something that’s not an issue?”
I sounded pretty bold saying this because inside, I was worried. Not about John, specifically, but the way he made me feel. Vulnerable. Uncertain. Just like I had before, waiting for Mark to show up eventually and ruin my life again.
But more than John, I was worried about Mark. I was worried about what he’d do when he couldn’t get John’s help anymore.
They ignored the question and started talking to each other again.
“I agree with Powell. John’s more likely to try something sooner than later—especially if he’s already gotten in touch with her,” Jake said.
“I’m sitting right here,” I reminded them.
Finn scratched his jaw and nodded. “But how?”
Jake stopped pacing and placed his hands on his hips. “Distance would be good. I agree with that, too.” He glanced at me. “Take some space, go to the cabin for a bit. We’ll all have a vacation.”
“Tomorrow works. At least through the weekend.”
I stood abruptly. “Hey. I get that you guys are sorting through all this, and now there are two of you which is actually pretty scary, but I’m not leaving.”
Jake walked over to me, taking my hands. I had told him most of the story before Curtis arrived, and he’d seen John’s note. He was up to speed and just like Finn, looking for the safest solution for me. “It’s not forever,” he said. “Just a week—a long weekend, even. Get some space and see what develops while we’re gone. Come on, I’ll take you fishing. I know how much you love fishing,” he joked.
“We haven’t been to the cabin in a long time,” Finn said, tone agreeable. “It’ll be nice. You can see if Paige will come.”
I pulled my hands from Jake’s grip. “I have things to do here.”
“They’ll keep.”
Staring at Finn, I said quietly, “I told you I wasn’t running anymore.”
He glanced away. Jake appealed to me again. “This isn’t running. This is being cautious. And getting a little break while you’re at it.”
“You sound like your brother. I can’t just drop everything and leave. Not again.”
“Wi-Fi,” Jake said, nodding. “There’s Wi-Fi at the cabin. You could check your emails, keep caught up. I bring work there all the time—”
“All the time?” Finn asked, his eyebrows shooting up.
“I make time, unlike you people.”
Finn laughed, a genuine laugh that made me soften a little. Maybe they were the ones who needed this. Finn probably hadn’t had a vacation in years.
“Sounds like you need some brother bonding time. Maybe you should both take your weekend at the cabin,” I said, shooting Finn a sweet smile.
“You’re funny. And that’s still not the point.”
“The point is, you think it’ll be safer there than here, and frankly I disagree. Hold on,” I continued before Finn could interrupt. “I’m all for a vacation but I don’t feel like running off to the cabin because I’m scared something is going to happen. I’ve got Dustin and Curtis and I—Finn, I saw that.”
He folded his arms, still frowning. But he’d been shaking his head.
I checked my watch. “I don’t have time for this right now. You guys make fun weekend cabin plans or whatever you feel like. Right now, I have somewhere to be.”
Finn walked from the window, sharing a look with Jake. Jake wisely kept his mouth shut and pocketed his hands.
“Where?” Finn asked.
“I’m meeting with someone about a restaurant space, if you must know,” I said, turning for the door. “It’s my job.”
“I’ll go with you.” He checked his own watch and cursed. “No. Shit. I have a meeting in twenty minutes. Can you just—”
“No, I can’t,” I said. “We’ve already set up a time.”
“Who’s we?”
“Finn,” I said, exasperated.
Jake met my eyes. “A female?”
I glared at him. “Yes, a female. And we’ve already talked on the phone. She’s nice and she’s interested in the last space in the Entertainment Community. It’s business, and I’m doing my job.” I shook my head, starting to the door again. “You two together. I—”
Finn appeared in front of me. “It’s not because I’m jealous. It’s because I’m worried. If you trust this person—”
“I trust me and my instincts. And Dustin will be with me.”
Finn gestured behind him. “Take Jake, too.”
My mouth dropped open.
Jake cleared his throat and stepped forward. “You have a lot to learn, brother.
” Jake walked to my side and took my hand. “We care about you, is all. I’d love it if you’d let me tag along. I can get a better look at the place now that most of the spaces are filled and keep you company while you do some business.”
I sighed, pointing at him. “Fine. But don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing. You just do it a lot better than Finn.”
He grinned. “Thanks.”
I waved at Finn. “Have a good meeting.”
“Wait—hey—” Finn caught my hand before I could leave. He nodded at Jake. “Just give us a minute, all right?”
Still grinning, Jake walked out and closed the door behind him.
“Finn,” I said, shaking my head. “I don’t have time. I need—”
“So do I. I need to work. But this won’t take long.” He brushed his thumb on my cheekbone, studying my face. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
A frown touched his lips. “I’m going to ask again. Are you okay?”
“A little irritated, actually,” I said honestly. “You’re stepping on my feet, teaming up on me with Jake to get me to go to the cabin. I want to make the decision for myself.”
He smiled. “I meant after what happened earlier. The email. Are you okay?”
“I don’t want to talk about it. Not right now. I want to go to this meeting and lease our last space and have a glass of champagne. And if you’re going to try to push the cabin thing any more, I’ll probably have that champagne with your brother instead of you.”
“Feisty,” he said, but the smile in his words didn’t touch his eyes. “I’m just worried.”
“I absolutely understand that. But I feel like you don’t trust my opinions or my decisions if you won’t at least listen to my side.”
“I listen—”
“Finn, stop. I can’t do this right now. I can’t. Please, finish your day, let me finish mine, and we’ll talk later.”
He opened his mouth, probably to argue, but I reached for the door. “I have to go.”
I gave him a quick kiss on his cheek but evaded when he tried to pull me in for more. I heard his sigh when I walked out but only smiled at Jake. “Let’s go.”
We rode the elevator to the lobby and walked through the Commons to get to the Entertainment Community.