Chapter 21 Finn
FINN
Alexis disappears after being quiet through breakfast. I feel on edge all day, my nerves causing my stomach to twist. Did I misread Alexis? Have I offended her, scared her, fuck, pressured her? I need to find time to talk to her alone. Throwing myself into getting my house together helps.
Marcee and I hang the few decorations I have, then go through the furniture options my interior designer left for me to look over.
By dinner, all the furniture is ordered and my designer was emailed.
It was great spending time with her, but if I'm being honest, I was only half present today, and it has me feeling like a real dick.
When Marcee hints at leaving early, a part of me is relieved. I need time to think and process this weekend. Alexis has turned my head like no one else, but that path leads to nothing but heartache, I'm sure of it.
Alexis gives a perfunctory knock before she opens the front door and waltzes through the entryway.
Her skin has the soft glow of someone that spent the day out in the sun.
I bet if I licked her neck, she would taste like the sea, like the salty mist that hangs in the air at the beach.
I stop myself from going down that line of thinking.
We smile as our eyes meet, no hint of discomfort or awkwardness.
Something eases in my chest, slowly releasing a tightness that had been there since she took off this morning.
This weekend was a weird one, but we’ll be fine, and things will sort themselves out.
“I brought dessert,” Alexis beams as she walks in carrying a berry Chantilly cake. “I found the cutest bakery on the boardwalk near the pier, and when I spotted this, I knew we had to have it.”
“What, no chocolate?” Marcee exclaims. “I didn’t even know you ate a dessert without chocolate!”
“Oh, have no fear, I also bought a dozen chocolate truffles for the drive back.” I tuck away that little nugget of information about Alexis. I’ll be sure to have chocolate here next time they come out.
Dinner is full of laughter and stories. Both girls are animated as they share about their friends and their lives. We’re just clearing the plates when Marcee’s phone rings and she smiles like she only does when Tanner calls.
Alexis and I share a grin. “Shoo, go talk to lover boy, Marcee. We can take care of the clean-up.” She snaps a towel at Marcee's retreating form before tossing it on the counter.
“Trust me, you do not want to listen to those lovebirds when they have to be apart.” She smiles over her shoulder at me as she gathers plates from the table.
“Thanks for the warning.” Once the food is packed up, we move to the sink. The dishwasher doesn’t arrive until Tuesday, so we have to handwash.
“You dry, I wash?” I suggest, handing her a towel.
Our hands brush as I pass it to her. Neither of us move our hands, letting the touch linger.
My mind goes back to when we were standing here this morning and what we never got to finish.
She breaks the moment first, taking the towel and turning toward the window.
Clearing my throat, I dive into washing dishes, thankful I'm facing the sink so my erection isn’t so obvious.
“Hey, Alexis.” I speak in a hushed tone, not wanting Marcee to overhear.
“About earlier.” I fumble with what to say.
She turns to me, eyes searching mine. It feels like she can see straight through me, like she is reading me like a book, and I can’t decide if that is a good thing or not.
Her gaze holds the heat that I know is reflected in my own stare.
After a few seconds, her features soften, and she gives me an almost sad smile.
Desperate to erase any sadness, I open my mouth to say—fuck, I don’t know what I want to say.
Maybe, I’m sorry things can’t go any further between us?
Or that she is stunningly beautiful and getting to see the other side of her makes me want to know everything about her.
But I don’t say any of it. All the things I want to say are choking me.
“Finn.” Her hand comes to my forearm, light but steady, as if she can sense the tension coiled in my chest. It feels like she’s read every unspoken thought and can see the internal war being waged inside of me.
“It’s all good,” she whispers, popping up on her toes, pressing a soft kiss on my cheek.
It’s a brief kiss, but the touch of her warm, soft lips sends a jolt through me.
My heart starts racing with possibilities, while my stomach goes hollow with the ache of what can never be.
Why does she have such a pull on me? It feels effortless with her, yet I know she is the one thing I can’t have.
We finish the dishes while talking about our days and upcoming plans, the moment shared pushed aside.
There is an easy companionship between us, and with every passing minute, I realize how much I enjoy being around Alexis.
I’m glad the incident from earlier didn’t ruin things, and I know with some time and space we will put it behind us and find a relationship that works for all of us.
There’s no other choice. The alternative would be to never see her again, and that is not an option I am willing to consider.
As they take off, I’m already looking forward to the next time the girls are here. This big house is suddenly quiet and lonely with just me in it. The added energy and noise they brought filled the space that now feels empty.