“I heard the sex scene gets women hot. So if you need to hit pause…”
I slap at his stomach as the opening credits end and the movie starts. “Shhh. Just watch.” Although.
Finn is a good sport and makes it through the whole movie. He even gets up to grab tissues for me. I sniff as he snaps his laptop shut and says, “The reviews I read failed to mention the guy doesn’t get the girl in the end.”
“Hey, you could have gotten Friday the 13th.” I twist on the couch to tuck my leg under my bottom and face him.
“That’s the horror movie where Jamie Lee Curtis pees under the bed when she’s hiding from the bad guy and sees a mouse, right?”
I shake my head. “That’s the part you remember?”
He chuckles. “I watched it when I was eight. Boys love toilet humor.”
“I’m pretty sure that scene wasn’t funny.”
“Yeah, but it made us laugh anyway.” Finn grabs the bag of popcorn, and it rustles as he reaches inside for some.
“I bet you were trouble as a kid,” I say.
“I did have a bit of excess energy. Let me guess. You spent your spare time reading and—”
“Gardening with my mother. I played in the dirt, but in a more civilized way. I loved the feel of cool earth on my fingers and the taste of warm tomatoes fresh from the garden.”
“Do you miss it?”
I nod. “Someday I’m going to own a home and have a big garden in the backyard. There’s nothing better than eating vegetables you grow yourself.”
“I’d love that too.” He lifts his beer. “Green beans and peas. Those are the best.” He takes a sip of his drink.
I recall that Finn lives in an apartment in Boston like I do. “Yeah. I’ve tried container gardens on my patio, but I long for more space.”
Finn leans forward to put his bottle on the coffee table then places a hand on my thigh. “Then we’ll get you a house with a lot of land, and you can have the biggest garden you want. Tell me what it looks like.”
“Are you trying to snag a new client?”
He drags his finger down toward my knee, and I twitch when it tickles. “No, Meg. I was imagining that house would be for us. And I hope you want kids too.”
I blink for a second as I make sure I heard him right. Then I smile as happiness fills me. “Finn O’Connor, first you watch a chick flick all the way through, and now you’re planning our future as if you’re a woman with a ticking biological clock.”
“Who says men don’t have a biological clock of their own?” He reaches for my hand and lifts it to thread his fingers through mine. “We’ve spoken to each other almost every day for more than a month now. I know what I want out of life, Meg. And it includes you.”
I gaze into his eyes and see they’re a warmer shade of brown than usual. “Oh.”
He slides his hands up my arms and leans in to kiss me. When he pulls away, he says, “I’m in love with you.”
I inhale sharply as my heart swells with feelings for him. I know I’m close, but I’m not sure if I’m in love with Finn yet, and I don’t know what to say. When I don’t speak, he does. “It’s okay if you don’t say it back. I know I’m moving fast, and you’re likely not ready.”
I shake my head and still can’t talk, but when Finn slides away from me, I know I have to say something. “I’m sorry. You are moving quickly, and I really do like you. It’s just that I take my time with things like this.”
“I know.” He smiles. “I jump in, while you test the water first. It really is okay.”
I reach out for him. “So it’s not going to be a thing?”
He shakes his head as he takes my hand. “No. I found you again after all these years, and now that you’ll finally talk to me, I’m not letting you go.”
Finn tugs me toward him, and I get on my knees to straddle his lap. “Good. Because I have no intention of going anywhere. I feel as if I’ve finally got the man of my dreams, and I’m not letting him get away this time either.”
“You dream about me?”
“You are such a guy.” I waggle my eyebrows at him as I lift his shirt with the intention of removing it. My voice lowers to what I hope is a sexy tone. “Want to hear what we do?”
“Show me.” He lifts his arms up, and as I rise to pull the garment over his head, he gazes at me with an intensity that sends a rush of desire to my core. “You’re in control, Meg. Tell me what you want.”
I press my hands against his chest and kiss him with the hunger that’s building in me. He responds with the same appetite as he yanks my shirt off. It lands lightly on the floor where he tosses it, and he quickly removes my bra too. Our tongues spar as I reach for the waistband of his shorts. He drags mine down over my hips. The two of us stand to remove our pants, then I push him back down on the sofa to straddle him again.
I notice he has a condom in his hand, and I grab it. After breaking our kiss, I tear the package open with my teeth. Finn reaches between my legs to finger me while I apply it, but it’s clear our frantic undressing is all the foreplay I need.
I push his hand out of the way so I can sink onto his thick length. I let out a moan when he grips my hips, and he gyrates beneath me. “That’s it, babe,” says Finn. “Your pace. Your way.”
I ride his cock hard, and the rubbing of his groin against my clit as I move makes me cry out. I gaze into his face and watch as his pleasure takes him, and his groans make me move faster. My insides quiver with uncontrolled spasms, and I succumb to the ecstasy that takes me. Finn follows my lead, and afterward, I slump down over him. Sweat slicks our skin, and I slither my body up his before I climb off his lap.
I turn to grab my clothes, but Finn wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me back down. “I don’t know where you think you’re going, but this emotional man needs some after-sex cuddling.”
I chuckle and nuzzle his neck. “I’m definitely taking your man card away.” I kiss him quickly. “But not until tomorrow.”
I throw my head back to enjoy the sensations of his mouth on my neck as he winds us up for round two.
Chapter 12
“God damn it,” I mutter under my breath as I glance around the changing area of the kitchen. The rack of clean uniforms is nearly empty, which means the delivery that was supposed to happen yesterday didn’t. Hangers scrape over the metal as I sort through to take stock of what we have. After the fiasco at the beginning of the week that left us without uniforms for a day because the driver got lost, I ordered an extra one for everyone in case of emergencies. But I didn’t expect to need them this soon.
After I change into my uniform, I step into the kitchen, still in a bad mood as I contemplate how much it would cost to get our own laundry facilities on the campgrounds. The screen door squeaks open as Ethan enters. “Good morning,” he says with a smile.
“Morning.” I scowl as I walk over to the coffee maker. The metal filter sticks as I try to pull it out with force, and when it finally releases, I drop it to the floor with a loud clatter.
“Shit!” I squat down to retrieve it and glance up at Ethan. “Sorry.” Shit, shit, shit. I don’t usually swear, and one of the rules of my kitchen is that unless one injures themselves or screws up big time, profanity is not allowed. I’m clearly letting the linens thing bother me too much.
I stand up and take a deep breath. Ethan comes over and reaches out his hand. “Let me do that for you.”
“Thanks.” I sigh. “Seriously, I shouldn’t have sworn when I make such a big deal of it when anyone else does.”
“I’m kinda glad you did. Now I know you’re human.” He smiles at me, and I notice the dimple that I find adorable in a little-boy way. It occurs to me some girl is going to find it sexy. Did he grow up this summer?
I offer him a wry smile back. “The linen delivery didn’t happen again, and I’m seriously considering getting us all clown outfits to wear until Michael puts a laundry facility on camp grounds.”
Ethan chuckles, and the sound of it, along with the tr
ickle of liquid in the coffee pot letting me know caffeine is on its way, helps my anger dissipate. “Anyway, you have something to wear today.”
He nods and leaves me to go get changed. I grab a mug. Coffee hisses on the burner when I yank out the pot to stick my mug under the stream. Once my mug is full, I switch back, and now the extra liquid spits under the glass carafe as if it’s mad too.
After I doctor up my drink, I walk over to my workstation and contemplate my idea of laundry at camp. The cost of a linen service is astronomical compared to what it would cost to hire a couple kids—like some of the ones I met at the alternative school where I found Ethan—to run a laundry room. I can imagine offering the service to campers would help defray the costs of machines, and it could likely pay for itself in a summer.
Metal rattles as I pull out pots and pans to begin breakfast. After I grab the supplies, I let my mind wander to my night with Finn. Any hint of a bad mood is gone as I sing and dance around the kitchen in the heat of the breakfast rush.
It isn’t until after I’ve finished lunch that I get back to the subject of the linen service, and instead of going to the dock for my usual break, I decide to go talk to Michael, who, along with Heather, owns and runs the camp.
Since it’s possible Finn will be looking for me, I asked Lexi, if he stopped by, to tell him where I went and that I’ll be down at the waterfront when I am done.
I welcome the cool air from the tree cover on my heated skin as I walk along the path toward the main office. There is a gravel-covered section of land in front of the building where buses drop off campers. Picnic tables are set out for check-in, and off to the left is a parking lot for campers who choose to drive themselves. Finn’s group drove, and I glance out at the series of mostly black-and-white cars his top agents own before I turn to the right to enter the office.
The faint scent of pine and lemon carries to me as I step into the old wooden structure that has been here since the beginning of Camp Firefly Falls. Michael looks up from his desk and lifts his reading glasses to give me his attention. “Meg.”
“Hi. Do you have a few minutes to talk?”
He stands up. “Sure. Have a seat.”
I sit across the desk from him, and the old wooden chair creaks as I perch myself on the edge of it. “I’m having trouble with our linen service, and while one answer may be to switch to a new company, I have another idea. What would you say to having commercial laundry facilities available for kitchen needs, the staff, room linens, and even for campers?”
Michael smiles at me. “We’re having issues with the cabin linens too. I think it sounds like a good business move. Let me crunch some numbers and get back to you.”
“Wow. That was easy.” I stand up.
He gets up too. “Good ideas usually are.”
“Awesome. Thanks, Michael.” We step outside, and he walks toward the main lodge as I pat myself on the back for saying something.
I’m even happier when Finn gets up from one of the picnic tables and holds up his arms as if he’s dancing with someone. “That movie last night got me thinking. Do you think they’d hire me as an instructor?”
I hold my chin as I pretend to consider it. “I might need a further review of your moves.”
Finn and I chuckle before our attention is diverted by a car rumbling down the main road. Finn lets out a big sigh, which makes me think he recognizes the red sports car approaching us. Gravel crunches under the tires as it pulls to a stop in the bus-unloading zone. Clearly the occupant can’t walk the extra steps it would take to park in the lot, and when I see a thin woman with a blond bob get out and come toward us in stilettos, I see why.
She’s beyond pretty in a lingerie-model way, and she becomes even more stunning when she opens her mouth to speak. A sexy voice I associate with radio personalities comes out. “Finn! What the hell is wrong with you?” She walks toward him with amazing grace considering her heels should be sinking into the dirt, and I realize somehow they aren’t.
He speaks in an even tone. “Brianne, I think the paperwork was quite clear. We are divorced and done. You need to do this through our lawyers.”
“You can’t seriously believe I’m going to let my petition go? You of all people know how expensive real estate has gotten, and the beach house I want is more than your pathetic alimony will cover.”
“No,” Finn says in a stern tone. He doesn’t appear to be angry. In fact, it’s like he’s conducting a business transaction. “I’m done fighting with you. Any issues you have with me will go through our lawyers.” He turns without glancing at me and starts walking down the path.
“Finn!” Brianne lets out a huff. “Don’t you dare walk away from me!” But apparently words are her only weapon because she doesn’t follow him. Although that might be because she’s concerned about spraining an ankle, considering her footwear.
I snap my jaw shut when she turns to look at me, and venom practically spits out of her mouth as she says, “Don’t ever get married. It makes men grip their wallets with a vise that will never open.”
She isn’t looking for a reply, because she turns to walk away before I have a chance. And I’m too stunned by the scene to want to. I feel an evil satisfaction when she stumbles walking back to her car. She slams her door shut before the engine revs, and the wheels spit gravel as she speeds away. The tiny rocks fall to the ground like rain, and the whole scene is over as quickly as it started.
As dust rises up from her car, my stomach lurches because the reality of the situation hits me. Finn is divorced. The pain of Randal leaving me for his ex-wife rushes back, and I clutch my belly as the contents roil, threatening to come out. “Oh God.” I move to the picnic table and sink down on the bench. I take deep calming breaths as I replay what just happened. Finn has an ex-wife who is clearly not done with him. And she is gorgeous. Just like Marcy.
My nausea gives way to anguish, and tears burn in my eyes. No. This can’t be happening to me. I drop my head in my hands and let myself cry. Why didn’t Finn tell me he used to be married? To a Marcy.
No. I swipe the tears from my face and swallow to stop myself from crying. My logical brain screams at me that looks aren’t everything. They divorced for a reason, and he did just walk away from her. But he loved her enough to get married. Fresh sobs come. Is he just another Randal giving me false hope?
I wrap my arms around myself when I hear Finn. “Meg?” I ignore him, hoping he’ll go away. But when the weight of his hand lands on my shoulder, I glance up at him. His face is full of concern, and he straddles the bench to sit next to me. “Oh, Meg, honey.” He grips my arms lightly. “I can imagine what you’re thinking.”
“Can you?” I sniff as the heat of my tears streams down my face. I want to pull away, but his touch is soothing. “Why didn’t you tell me?” I hiccup as I manage to shake off his grip. “Is it because she still matters?”
“No. I swear to you.” He shakes his head. “You just saw how we are. I cut off communication with her months ago, but Brianne has a thing for drama.” He rakes his hand through his hair. “Look. I know I should have told you, but when you said you’d never date a divorced guy again, I couldn’t. I needed you to give me a chance.”
I groan as I remember telling him about Randal on the first night. And the truth is if he’d admitted he was divorced, I would have saved us both some pain. I take a deep breath and stop my tears. “You should have, because look where we are now.” I stand up as the metal shields around my heart slam shut. “I won’t do this to myself again, Finn. I’m sorry. You shouldn’t have wasted your time.”
I take a little pride in the fact that I can walk away with all the grace sneakers on dirt allow, but it’s a small consolation for the way my heart is shattering into little pieces in a way it hasn’t since college. Damn it! I’m love with Finn. Fresh tears come, and I walk faster to get away from the only man who’s managed to break my heart twice.
Chapter 13
I hate myself. Even though I was gu
arding my heart against Finn, I managed to fall in love with him again anyway. I grit my teeth as I swallow down the last of my sobs. The cotton of my shirt is rough on my face when I lift the hem to wipe away tears. I’ve been down this road before, and I know just like last time, I’ll survive.
I pause before the kitchen door to take a deep breath and throw my shoulders back before I push my way in. Lexi glances up at me from her workstation, and her face falls when she sees me. I ignore the fact that my eyes are red and my cheeks are likely blotchy. I ask, “What are you making?”
It’s obvious what she’s doing, but she pushes a baking sheet toward me. “Cookies for tomorrow’s box lunch.” I take the bowl and spoon from her, and blobs of dough thud on the metal as I drop them. “I heard about the uniforms.”
I look at her and offer a wry smile for her kind way of letting me talk when I’m ready. “Why do I always fall for the liars?”
“Oh, Meg.”
I shake my head as tears fill my eyes again. “Finn is divorced.”
She doesn’t say anything, and I add, “Like Randal,” in case she somehow forgot what happened with my past relationship.
“Lots of people our age are.”
I recognize her logical voice, and it irks me. “Yeah. But you know I swore off divorced men.” The spoon scrapes hard against the bowl as I shove it in.
“I remember.” Lexi reaches into the bowl with another spoon to get a scoop, and we work in silence for a while before she says, “You do realize that the vast majority of divorced people do not get back together again, right?”
“But he didn’t tell me.” My anger flares up, and I grab a ball of dough to slap on the cookie sheet.
Lexi grips my wrist gently and slides the bowl away from me. “Give me the whole story.”
“I told him about Randal on the first night we sat on the dock. I said I’d never date a divorced man again. That was Finn’s chance to tell me, but he didn’t. And I just witnessed a scene with his ex.” I let out a huff. “Who, by the way, is fucking gorgeous.”
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