Chapter 18
VALENTINA
I hadn’t seen Finnick in months.
Still, leaning against the counter, listening to what he’d been up to since the spring—his niece would start primary school soon, surf camp was busier than usual, he’d finally invested in that new board he’d been eying—I couldn’t care less.
I’d never wanted to get back to my best friends, and further away from him, more.
Which was confusing, because I liked Finnick.
His smile, his soft, blonde hair, the way he talked about his niece and how much he loved the beach and the water—and anything related to the ocean, really.
But I seemed to like him less with Caden around, and the latter’s grimace wasn’t helping.
When he got up, I outright panicked.
My eyes kept flicking back to the man approaching, which was terribly rude.
Finnick was still talking about this year’s wave quality, after all.
His head shook, and the movement drew my eyes back, matching the laugh on Finnick’s lips.
I was a little surprised not to hear from you sooner.
Thought you might’ve forgotten about me.
He was joking, but a boulder of guilt still lodged itself in the pit of my stomach. There’d been a few of those recently. Finnick was nice. He was good. And two weeks with Caden had made me forget about him completely.
We’ve been so busy, I laughed—or tried my best to, at least, because when Caden shamelessly stopped beside me, it almost knocked the wind out of me. A few feet away. Leaning across the bar to order.
He tilted his head at me, his lips twitched upward as he motioned the bartender over. You want another drink, Val? he asked, using a nickname he’d never used. Giving me a sweet smile he’d never given me before.
This morning, he’d gotten all up in my face about a stupid—although very, very generous—job offer, and now he thought himself in a position to offer me a drink? To smile at me like that?
With a wide, fake grin, I turned back to Finnick. I held up a finger, then excused myself with a quick, Would you give me a second?
To ensure we couldn’t be overheard, I walked to Caden’s other side. What the fuck is wrong with you? I hissed, then gave Finnick another fake smile to signal So sorry! Everything’s fine!
I have no idea what you’re talking about. Caden’s eyes flicked to mine, something shimmering in their usual blue. Amusement? Annoyance? My guess would be a combination of both.
He ignored the bartender, who’d finally gotten to our end of the counter. Don’t let me keep you from Finnick, Rhodes. He looks quite lost all by himself.
What do you want? I narrowed my eyes, his earlier threat not forgotten. I didn’t know him well enough to guess how serious he’d been, so I just had to assume very. He hadn’t left much room for misinterpretation. In my opinion, his threat had been very clear.
His hands raised in mocked defense. Getting a drink.
You’re not drinking, I noted, right as he turned to the raven-haired bartender, tattoos covering her tan skin, to tell her, Could I have another water?
Without taking my eyes off him, I added, Make that two. Please.
Now it was definitely amusement that twinkled in his gaze.
It slid back to me, then flicked to Finnick, still patiently waiting a few feet away, pretending to be busy on his phone.
Caden hummed, considering his next words—just clearly not long enough.
So this is the guy you had in mind when you put sex on the beach, not the drink, on your bucket list?
Well, yes.
Finnick Maxwell was the kind of on-again off-again vacation fling found in any girl’s dream.
Kind, funny, not bad in bed—but not nearly as good as Caden, I begrudgingly had to admit now.
He was ordinary enough not to miss too much when you were away, but things picked up right where they left off when you got back to him.
We got along well, and I usually looked forward to seeing him.
Since Caden had made a surprise appearance in my room, I hadn’t even thought about reaching out to Finnick, though.
When Anni had pointed him out fifteen minutes ago, I had to keep from shrieking in surprise at his existence, and I felt awful about it.
I was at least partly convinced that was Caden’s fault. Somehow.
What? I snickered at his question. Not a fan?
The corner of his lips twisted upward, and his brows followed, like I should know the answer. Don’t get me wrong. Handsome man, he admitted. But I’m not going to be a fan of you with any guy. He shrugged. Any guy that isn’t me.
Our glasses of water magically appeared between us, and he accepted them with a grateful nod and a ten-dollar bill slid across the bar, while I tried not to let his words go straight to parts of me I didn’t want him in anymore.
Yesterday, I’d gotten him out of my system, and that was that. That had been the plan. Strictly physical. Just sex. A few hours ago, you threatened me, I reminded him. And now you’re jealous?
Caden sighed, like he might actually regret his actions. My threat should be irrelevant, because you’re not telling anyone about Anova. Right?
My sister works at Anova! What about them?
Our heads shot in Finnick’s direction. He’d given up pretending not to listen, and we must’ve abandoned our pretend-whispers, because otherwise he wouldn’t have heard.
Caden probably glared at him—I couldn’t see his face—and I gently shook my head in Finnick’s direction, silently letting him know this was not a conversation he wanted to be a part of.
The blond’s hands shot up in amused defense. Sorry. I’ll go mind my business all the way over there. Pointing at the wooden, creaky staircase that led down to the beach.
No need! I managed to squeeze in just before he turned around. Eyes flicking back to Caden, I said, We’re done here, anyway. and joined Finnick by the water.