17. Rune
Chapter 17
Rune
I t’s official: I’m obsessed with Finn.
I can’t remember any other time that I’ve been so comfortable, so unfiltered in the presence of a masculine person I barely know. The words keep falling out of my mouth and yet he keeps looking at me like everything I say is interesting.
I rest my head against the high back of the velvet couch and wait for him to tell his funny story. He could say something about the weather and it would still be one of the most interesting things I’ve ever heard.
When the silence begins to stretch too long, something tugs at my tipsy brain. Something about the almost guilty expression on his face that’s completely at odds with the teasing, totally relaxed Finn of just a moment ago. The one who has definitely been checking me out all evening.
“Oh my gosh, are you dating someone?” The words blurt out of my mouth before I can stop them.
He whips his head back to me. “What—no. God , no, Rune.”
His horror makes me realize how ridiculous that thought was. It came out of nowhere. I’ll just sit here, sip my drink, and patiently wait for his funny story. Which is apparently not a code for I’m not available, so please stop thinking about us naked together.
“Okay. Anyway, as I was going to say,” Finn begins, then stops with a grimace, his gaze focused on something behind me. I turn my head just in time to see Ella come flying around the corner, still towing Sam behind her.
“There you are!” Ella smiles widely, like a kid who just found a jar of candy. “I thought you were right behind us. Or in the bathroom.”
“Sorry, I got distracted.” I glance at Finn, who’s got a resigned look on his face.
“Well, you missed Mom meeting Sam. He passed with flying colors.” She beams up at her boyfriend, bumping him with her shoulder.
“Congratulations,” I say, wishing they would go away.
“Anyway, I came to find you to let you know we’re heading out soon. Since you weren’t answering your phone.” Ella waggles her brows suggestively.
“I—sorry, it was in my purse.” I blink at Ella, willing for her to get the message. I want to finish my conversation with Finn alone. Give him an opportunity to ask me out, since I’m far too shy to do that sort of thing myself. But Ella just stands there, waiting for me.
So like an idiot, I turn to Finn and go for a handshake. Formal, like we’re wrapping up a business meeting. Finn all-out grins. He takes my hand and helps me to my feet, holding on until my momentary vertigo goes away, then pulling me to his side and enveloping me in the spicy musk of his scent. I guess that’s fine.
“You’re here a few more days?” he asks, his voice low in my ear.
“Until Sunday,” I remind him.
“I’ll text you,” he promises. It sends a warm feeling straight through me.
“I hope your parents didn’t mind too much that I showed up.”
“Why would they?” He looks genuinely confused.
“Because I’m a stranger. And I monopolized your company for far too long.”
“Pretty sure you stopped being a stranger the moment you walked in on me in a towel,” he teases.
“I feel like I shouldn’t be held accountable for anything that happened that night.”
“Agreed. For the most part.”
Our eyes meet and I realize just how close we are. Mere inches separate our faces. My senses are overwhelmed by his nearness and the rich scent of him. Without thinking, I run my hand along his arm, feeling the hard definition of his muscles. I’m overwhelmed with the desire to feel every damn part of this very masculine body. His eyes dart to my lips and it’s all I can do not to reach up and grasp his shirt, close those last few inches between us. But I’m hyper aware of where we are, and how Ella keeps glancing over her shoulder as Sam drags her back into the lobby. Maybe I should be a little more bold, a little less timid, but—not now. Not tonight. Not with an audience.
“Goodnight, Finn.” I extricate myself from his side.
“Goodnight, little stranger,” he says, holding the collar of my coat as I put it on, like we’re in one of those old-fashioned movies. I don’t hate it. I do hate watching him return to the party after saying his goodbyes to us.
“Are you coming back with us, Sam? You’re more than welcome to,” Aunt Mairi offers.
Sam declines. “I might swing by closer to Christmas, if that’s all right with you? I’ll be staying at my family’s cabin on the lake for the holidays.”
I swear everyone has a cabin on that lake.
“Ok. Bye then,” Ella says, dismissing him.
“Ella!” Aunt Mairi scolds.
Sam only smiles. “Goodnight, Ella. Nice to meet you, Mairi—and Rune.”
* * *
“So you and Finny, huh?” Ella giggles, poking me in the ribs. “I was a little worried when I couldn’t find you. Imagine my surprise at finding you two all cozied up together.”
We’re laying in Ella’s bed, dressed in comfy flannel pajama pants and warm sweatshirts, snacking on as much junk food as we could scrounge out of the kitchen.
“We were just having a conversation.” It’s an honest, albeit defensive, reply.
“A kissing conversation?”
I toss a puffed popcorn kernel at her face. “We were talking about books.” And also maybe something more interesting eventually, had Ella not interrupted us.
“You would. Did you tell him about your fancy signed special edition book that you won’t stop snuggling with?”
“I didn’t, but we did talk about the series.”
“Bet he loved that,” she snorts. “Rune: winning hearts, one book at a time.”
I roll onto my back on the soft comforter, tucking my hands behind my head. I’m still feeling the effects of the alcohol, loosening my tongue and making me feel more hopeful than my usual cynical self. “Is it silly to have a crush on him? It’s not like I live here.”
“This isn’t the nineteenth century. You don’t have to live within an hour’s ride on horseback to date someone. Or bang them if that’s all you’re looking for. There’s this thing called a cell phone, you see,” Ella squeals as I fling a few more popcorn kernels at her.
“Ha ha, you’re so clever. I’m serious, though. What if I’m making Finn a rebound thing? Or what if he’s not even interested and I’m making an absolute fool of myself. I felt up his fucking arm tonight.”
“I know, I saw,” Ella chortles. “How did it feel?”
“Super strong. And like I really wanted to feel the rest of him.”
“Yum,” she sighs. “I’m happy with Sam, but I have seen Finn without a shirt before. It was unforgettable. I wish that experience for you.”
“What about you and Sam? How long have you been together? Why have I not heard of him before?”
“That’s like a million questions. Slow down.” Ella raises her hand to shush me. “We’ve been going out for eight months. Hardly anyone knows about him because he’s my person and I don’t want to share.”
“Since when?”
“Since I actually want to keep this one.”
“Does he know that?”
“I think he might.”
I reach out and retrieve some popcorn from her hair. “Well, isn’t that cute. Think you’ll get a ring for Christmas?”
“Think you’ll get a ring for Christmas?” she retorts, rolling her eyes. “I’d give both of us an equal probability.”
“Equal? You’ve been dating the guy for eight months.”
“Yeah and Finn’s not one to mess around. If you want him, let him know. He seems happy to oblige.” She gives a horrible snicker.
“Why am I even friends with you?”
“Because you love me and I’m more fun than Courtney, who only has time for law school crap these days.” There’s a strong note of bitterness in Ella’s voice. “Besides, we’re family, so I have your back, no matter what. You want to bang Finn, you go for it. Who am I to stand in the way of a little seasonal lust.”
I join in her laughter, even if I don’t fully agree. I’m no prude and have done my fair share of sleeping around in college, but it doesn’t sit right when I think about Finn. Maybe my perception of him is skewed. But so far, everything I've seen of him makes me suspect that I might not be satisfied with a one-night stand. It would probably only make me want more of him…and probably ruin me for any other man. I don't know if I should pursue anything that sends me off the deep end like that. I hardly have a handle of my life as it is.
“I can already tell you’re overthinking this whole thing.”
I rub my heart, half-mocking, half-serious. “I know. I just—I'm directionless right now. I don't want to latch onto the first person who catches my eye.” As if Finn wouldn’t have caught my eye even when I was dating Sebastian. Pretty house aside, I have a strong suspicion that Finn’s about as kind and genuine as they come. “Besides, I’ve only been single for like a week.”
“Please. From what you’ve told me, it sounds like you’ve been single a lot longer. Besides, it’s not like you’re thinking about marrying the guy.” She gives a big yawn and glances over at the sparkling mermaid alarm clock on her nightstand. Five past one. “I’m getting old. I don’t know how many all-nighters I pulled in college, but midnight is definitely my limit these days.”
“I couldn’t even pull an all-nighter in college,” I admit. My phone died sometime on the drive home and I grope around for a charger. By the time it lights up, Ella’s flipped off the lights and snuggled under the covers next to me.
I should just go to sleep, but—there’s a single notification that I have to tap into.
Finn the Hero: I already said this, but I’m glad you came tonight.
Me: Likewise.
Almost immediately, the typing bubble pops up.
Finn the Hero: Why are you still awake?
Me: We’re having a sleepover. Will probably regret it in the morning.
Finn the Hero: Know what would cheer you up?
Me: …a few glasses of water and some sleep?
Finn the Hero: Water & sleep, yes. But also: skiing
Me: Are you suggesting that conceptually or are you inviting me to something? I can’t tell.
Finn the Hero: I’m inviting you to come skiing with me tomorrow :) Tell Ella that Sam will be out, too, if she wants to join us.
I don’t bother to clarify what type of skiing he’s talking about. I am one hundred percent down to do absolutely anything with this man. Up to and including taking off my clothes and climbing into bed with him.
“Stop flirting with Finn and turn that off,” Ella grumbles.
“Who says it’s Finn?”
“That stupid smile plastered all over your face.”
“He just asked if we wanted to go skiing tomorrow. Sam’s going to be there. What should I tell him?”
“How is this even a question? Say yes. I want to see my boyfriend. And you can go out with Finn. Drool over him a bit more.”
“I don’t know if it’s going out,” I muse. “Or just like…hanging out.”
She snorts loudly. “Based on the way he stared at you all night, I’d put good money down on it being a date. Either way, make him sweat it out a little before you answer.”
It might be good advice, but?—
Me: Ok.