Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
Sophie
“How did lunch go today?” I turn around and find Adley with a knowing smile on her face.
“So that was you?”
“No, that was him, all his idea. I just told him where to find you.” With a shrug she spins around and goes back to painting the trim in her bathroom. “He said he’s been trying to set up another date with you and you keep dodging him.”
“Because they are fake dates and I don’t have a clue how to fake date anyone. Apparently I don’t have a clue as to how to real date anyone either. I have no idea how I got myself into this mess in the first place.”
“Do you want me to be honest with you?” she asks, pausing to turn around once again and face me.
I nod.
“I think that Finn needs this distraction, maybe a little more than you. I think that maybe he is looking for something outside of the heavy crap that he has going on with his parents. And I think a girl, a friend, that is coming out of a shitty situation that may need a little fun herself.”
“So I’m not a project?”
“Sophie no, you are a sweet girl that deserves to feel appreciated, and needs to focus on having fun instead of worrying about what-ifs and all of that garbage. Finn or none of the guys ever truly liked Ryan. And they’ve been forced to sit around and watch you struggle through that mess.
I’m sure all of them wanted to throttle him but Finn is the first one to step up and decide that Ryan needs to have all his mistakes thrown back in his face.
The biggest being an idiot for not realizing just how amazing you are. ”
“I feel like a charity case, like he’s throwing me a bone and I’m this silly little dog picking up scraps.”
“We all know that Finn doesn’t do anything he doesn’t want to do. Like I said, I think there is a whole lot more to this arrangement than he’s putting on.”
“And I think this life you have with Rory has made you soft and delusional,” I tell her and she only shrugs as if she doesn’t disagree.
“Just stop putting so much thought into it and relax. You two are friends and have been for years. He is trustworthy and in no way is he ever going to hurt you or put you in a spot that is harmful in any way. Enjoy being flirted with, and stop thinking about the fake part. Who knows.” She wags her brows and I laugh.
“Delusional,” I repeat and she gets back to painting.
I try to take her words into consideration. Fine, so in the end we go back to being friends that hang out in a group and hassle each other. But for now, I’ll go along with the pretend dating and maybe allow myself to enjoy it a little.
What can it hurt?
I pull my phone out of my back pocket and hesitate for only a few seconds before typing out the message before I can overthink it.
Me: So about that dinner, how’s Saturday night?
I try not to worry when it takes him a while to respond. After all he is wearing several different hats right now and who knows what he’s up to at this point. But the message finally comes through. I take a deep breath and tap the screen, opening it up.
Finn: Seven good with you?
Me: Good with me, where?
Finn: Ever been to Tuscan Table?
Instantly my stomach tightens with tension.
Finn: It’s my mother’s favorite place to eat.
Not wanting to ruin anything for him I swallow the memories of the last time I was there and push past the ugliness it inflicted.
Me: The food is great.
It isn’t a lie, they do have amazing food.
But prior to me finding out that Ryan was screwing his assistant that is the place we’d met her and a few other coworkers for what he called a celebratory meal.
They’d landed a big account at work and he was taking them all out to congratulate them on all the hard work they’d put into it.
Forgetting to mention that a majority of the work his assistant offered was done on her back with her legs in the air.
I ignore the sour feeling in my stomach.
Finn: We will chat more before then. I’ll call and make reservations and I’ll drive.
I’d thought I’d be able to use the drive to Montgomery to calm my nerves. I guess that won’t be the case. Instead I will be sharing a ride with him. It’s just Finn, my friend Finn.
I can do this!
Me: Sounds good, talk soon!
I quickly tuck my phone into the pocket of my sweatshirt and grab the paintbrush. Lifting it to the door I feel like I am being watched and I glance in Adley’s direction.
“Did the two of you make some plans?”
Nodding, I offer her a smile and realize this is what a true solid relationship with a goody has done to her. She is happy and hopeful. She is joyfully motivating, and it’s scary but beautiful.
I tuck my phone in my pocket.
“Good.” She does a weird little happy shimmy with her hips, which makes me laugh.
Turning up the music on her Bluetooth speaker we get back to work and I nervously await my upcoming date, fake-date, with Finn.