Chapter 9
Finn
H old the freaking phone. Who is this chick that just sat down, and why is she touching me? And who the hell is the frat guy that Riley just left holding hands with? After that conversation I had with my mother and my long day of work, I couldn’t wait to come take a load off with Mason and get my mind off of everything. Running into Riley here was not even something that was on my radar. I was under the impression she kind of just stuck to being close to home if she wasn’t working.
When I walked in and saw her sitting at a table with that dress, my heart almost stopped in my chest. That damn dress. It hugged her in all the right places and showed off just enough skin. What stood out most, though, was the fact that she looked so relaxed. Anytime I’ve ever interacted with her, she has seemed so tense, like she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. Sitting, having a cocktail, she seemed so carefree, laughing with Chloe.
I even thought she was going to come over to my table and say hi. That is, until this woman came and sat down and cock blocked me. Or was it the frat boy who blocked me? Or was she just going to the restroom and not coming over to my table at all? The way we locked eyes, though. I felt that connection, that heat, until this woman touched me.
I hate being touched by women I don’t know. Most would think that a hot-blooded man would be happy to be petted and doted on, but I don’t. All it does is remind me that all I have going for me is my looks. I’m not cocky, but I’m also not blind. I know I’m attractive, and I know women gravitate toward me, well, except Riley. But it makes me feel even worse about myself when women throw themselves at me without saying a single word. I could be a serial killer—just ask Riley—or dumb as dirt, but they don’t care.
I want a woman who appreciates my work ethic. The love and passion I put into my projects. Someone who likes me for my personality and not my pretty face. So, when this woman put her hands on me and sat down, my stomach roiled. I didn’t want to be rude, and I was too distracted by what was going on with Riley to say anything to her, but I’ve had enough. I came out tonight to have time with Mason and unwind, and now I’m feeling like a piece of meat.
Not to mention the girl I haven’t been able to get out of my head since I got to this town just walked out with some meathead. Is that fair of me to say, after all of my lamenting about how people perceive me? No. Do I care? Also, no. All I care about right now is getting this woman out of here and going home, because I’m not really feeling this night anymore. So, I turn my attention back to her, because let’s be honest, she’s been droning on about something for the past five minutes, and I’m about to jam one of these steak knives into my eardrums to drown out the noise.
“Hey there, it was really nice to meet you, but I’m actually meeting a friend, so if you will excuse me.” Dang it, why is it so hard for me to be a bit more forceful in situations like this? It’s like the charm is a defense mechanism and I can’t find the off switch.
She rubs her hand up and down my exposed forearm. “Well, I can guarantee you’ll have more fun with me.”
Now I’m crawling out of my skin, and I can feel myself becoming agitated. I need to get out of here. “I don’t think so. Like I said, it was nice to meet you, but I’m actually going to head out.”
“Would you like some company?”
“No thanks; long day. I’ll see you around.” Hopefully not.
I grab my keys off the table and bolt for the door. The cool spring air helps me to calm down a bit. Except, when I’m about to reach my truck, a small hand grabs my arm and pulls me to a stop. I’m about to lash out, thinking it is the random woman, but the words die in my throat as I see that it’s actually Chloe, and she doesn’t look happy.
She is looking at me with fire in her eyes. “I thought you liked her,” she says, poking me in the chest.
Is she talking about the rando? “Huh?”
“Riley. I thought you liked her.”
“I do like her. I don’t think she thinks much of me, but if I’m being completely honest, there’s something about her that I can’t get out of my head.”
“Then why were you out on a date with that big-breasted Betty?”
“Big-breasted Betty?” I reply with one raised eyebrow.
She rolls her eyes at me. “I say weird things when I’m upset, but that’s beside the point. It took everything in me to get Riley to come out tonight, and then it took even more for me to convince her to go talk to you. Then that woman came and rubbed her big boobs all over you and sat down for your date. She was mortified, so Grant walked her out so you would think that she wasn’t leaving alone.” Her eyes widen, and she slaps her hand over her mouth.
“Okay, that was a lot of information that we need to unpack. First of all, it wasn’t a date.” She rolls her eyes like she definitely doesn’t believe me. “It’s true. I’ve never seen her before in my life. I was here to meet Mason, who still isn’t here, by the way. I’ll ring his neck later for leaving me hanging and contributing to this mess.” Is she blushing as I’m venting to her right now? “I got here first and was saving us a table, and she just walked up to me and sat down. I didn’t want her there any more than you did. I just have a hard time speaking up for myself sometimes. Second of all, that guy didn’t really leave with Riley?”
Now she’s looking at her shoes. “No, he did. Didn’t you see them walk out together?”
“Chloe,” I say through gritted teeth.
She lets out a sigh. “Fine, they didn’t really leave together. I know him from school, and I recruited him to help save her from humiliation. She was walking over to you when that other woman came over, so I sent him to save her. She was upset and wanted to leave, but didn’t want to let you know that she cared, so he offered to walk her outside and wait for her Uber.”
“Give me her address.”
Chloe chokes on her words. “What?!”
“Give me her address, Chloe. I’m not going to let her go all night long thinking that she has any reason to be humiliated. If anything, that woman who threw herself at me should be embarrassed, not Riley. Riley is perfect, and I’m not going to let her go one minute more thinking that I don’t want her.”
Now she’s smiling at me like a crazy person. “You really really like her, don’t you?”
“Yes, and if there’s any chance that she wants to get to know me as more than just the guy who picks up orders from her a couple times a week, I’m going to go make this right. You’re her best friend. Do you really want her to be upset all night, when you know she has no reason to be?” She shakes her head. “Good, now address, Chloe.”
“Alright, alright, calm down. I would have given it to you after the first part of your speech, but the second half was great. Kudos!”
“Chloe,” I say again, grinding my molars.
“Give me your phone and go tell our girl what’s up.”
I put my phone back in my pocket after she put in the address. I’m about to make it the rest of the way to my truck when Mason walks up. Before he can say a word, I put my hand up to stop him from saying whatever he is about to say. “Chloe will fill you in. You can tell me later why you’re so late and ruined my night.”
I get in my truck and drive toward Riley’s house. It kills me inside to think that she’s upset. The seven minutes from the bar to her house are too long, knowing she’s hurting and that I’m the cause of it. Even if I had no clue what was going on. I know Riley can be icy, but I’ve seen glimpses of that warmth, and it’s a warmth my own cold heart hasn’t felt, well, maybe ever. I pull up to her house and pray that she will give me the time of day and won’t ice me out completely.