Chapter Twenty-One - Michaela
Chapter Twenty-One
MICHAELA
OKAY, SO FINN KNOWS about the divorce. This is fine. Everything is fine… Right? I mean, I’ve successfully avoided telling anyone close to my family for the past three months, and I was hoping to keep it that way until things were settled. Or fixed. Deep inside, I guess I hoped David would change his mind. He’d show up on my doorstep saying he messed up and didn't want a divorce. As you can tell, that hasn't happened yet. The longer this drags on, the more I have accepted that it's over. As if coming home to an empty house every night isn’t enough of an indication. Maybe that's why I've held out on the ring for so long. Thinking he'd come back...
And, then there's Finn.
The way he stepped in to stop David from causing even more of a scene, pretending to be my boyfriend without a second thought. The way he was so protective, the warmth from his touch... I've been searching for something similar since that night in the office, but nothing has even come close.
"Good morning!" Bella waves from her desk when I step off the elevator at DV Designs. "You're here early."
“Had a few things to catch up on since I had to leave early yesterday. Any messages I need to know about?”
“Nope, but I should probably warn you, there’s someone here to see you.”
“Bella, it’s,” I check my watch, “seven-thirty in the morning. Who the hell is here this early?”
“Morning, Shortcake.” Every inch of my body tenses at the sound of his voice. Shit, I should’ve seen this coming.
“Surprise!” Bella whispers and holds up an iced coffee. “He even brought me a coffee.”
I thought I had more time to prepare for this conversation. Scratch that, I thought I could avoid it all together since I don’t have to be around him anymore, but I knew better. He’s going to have a lot of questions – rightfully so. Not that I really have any answers. While I've spent the part of my night thinking how good his touch felt, how safe I felt by his side; I've spent the other half waiting for a phone call from my brother. I was sure Finn couldn't wait to tell Josh what he witnessed.
"You're looking a little pale."
"I'm fine.” I try to avoid eye contact, pushing past him to head for my office. Despite my quick pace, I know he's right behind me. One of his strides is equal to two of mine. I could close the door in his face, but he’d come in anyway.
"You hungry?” He asks closing the door behind him. “I brought some danishes from the bakery down the street.”
"Nope," it's quick and concise. It should send the message that I am not in the mood to talk. Sitting at my desk, I turn my focus to my computer logging into my email — the first thing in my inbox is an email from Kai. That’s weird, Kai never emails me.
You did good, Michaela. Board was impressed with everything and they’re going to invest in the company. Nina and I have been talking, we think you’d be good at corporate… If you’re interested. Let me know. - Kai
Corporate?
They want me to move to corporate?
What would I even do there? It’s not like I’m “Villa Inc.” material. Everyone who works there is so… uptight. So well…corporate. The opposite of my entire life. Except for Liv, but she’s the front desk girl. She doesn’t have to fit in with the rest of them.
“Are you going to—”
"No. I don't want a fucking danish. I don't want coffee. I don't want anything from you. Can you just stop ?"
His brow quirks and he leans back in the chair in front of my desk. A small smirk tugs on the corner of his mouth before he laughs.
"What is so fucking funny?” I rub my temples. This can’t get any worse, right? “Can you please leave? I cannot deal with your shit today.”
Finn’s arms cross over his chest, straining against the sleeves of his navy blue jacket, and he settles further into the chair. Guess he isn’t going anywhere. “Fine, I’ll go.”
"Sit down, Shortcake." It's not a suggestion. He hasn't moved an inch he doesn't look at all bothered by my outburst. He motions to my chair. "Sit." Whether I want to or not, my body follows his command. "Now, you’re going to tell me what is going on."
“I don’t—
"Don't lie to me, Michaela Jane." Did he just use my full name? That was kind of sexy… Wait, no. No, it wasn’t. Finn leans forward, forearms resting on my desk, hands folded perfectly in front of him. "What in the hell was that yesterday?"
Do I tell him? It’s going to be kind of hard to lie my way out of this one. And if he hasn't told Josh yet, he definitely will if I don’t start talking soon.
"Did you tell Josh?" I ask.
"Not yet."
"Not yet?"
"Well, it's not my place, is it? Besides, I don't know what's going on. So, I figured I should get the whole story before I rat you out.” His attempt at humor does nothing but irritate me. "I'm kidding, Michaela. I've been worried about you since you left.”
"You're worried about me?" I laugh, "You couldn't care less."
"That's not true."
"You've never cared, Finn! I was always just some dumb kid in the way. So, please spare me your pity now."
"Shortcake–"
"And stop calling me that, for the love of God."
He chuckles and leans back in his chair, "Okay, Shortcake ."
"Dammit, Sheffield! I mean it."
"Alright, alright." He lifts his hands in surrender, a small smile on his lips. "Look, you don't have to tell me, but you should tell your family. I mean, does Nina even know?"
"It never came up," I shrug.
He shakes his head and reaches across the desk — I'm suddenly aware of how big his hands are when his right hand engulfs mine. The skin of his fingers is rough, it was the strangest sensation the first time I felt it — I would assume he had perfectly soft, manicured hands. But, his touch is soft and warms my skin. "Tell them, Michaela. I know they'd want to be there for you during this."