Page 101 of Exile and Embrace

On the other hand, what he wants to talk about could have nothing to do with me. There could be something going on with his end of our deal.

I might get to stay in Oregon with Finn longer.

And what if with me being away he’s decided he’s better off? What if he wants to end the whole thing?

That can’t be it, can it?

For me, our relationship stopped being fake a while ago. He said once he felt the same way.

But it still feels like there are things left unsaid between the two of us.

27

FINN

All I can think about as I drive back into Oregon is going home tonight and finding Ava waiting for me. It’s been a long few days without her.

There are still several hours before she gets home, but it’s all I’ve been able to think about all day.

I never thought that having her away from me would be this hard.

The entire time she’s been gone, it’s felt like there is a vital piece of me missing.

Tonight, I get that piece back, and it’s the most excitement I’ve felt in a long time.

Dawson spent most of the run to the Montana border and back teasing me about it.

The teasing only ended when I left him in Idaho to handle some more of Cillian’s business.

For the last couple of hours, the drive has been quiet, giving me time to think about where things stand with Ava.

Right now, we’re in limbo.

This fake engagement isn’t fake anymore.

She knows that, but we still haven’t progressed any further than that.

When I get home, we need to talk.

She needs to know how I feel and then she can decide on what she wants to do going forward.

I’m hoping that she feels the same way and wants to be with me.

I can tell her about taking the deal with Cillian. She’s going to be thrilled that I’m leaving my family behind.

I feel good about it too.

With Ava by my side, this is going to be the start of something new for both of us.

I need this, and so does she.

There won’t be any more looking over our shoulders and waiting for my brother or father to tear our happiness away. There is going to be a full and happy life to look forward to.

I get to work for a man who values the people beneath him.

Cillian is a good man, and he’s going to make sure that Ava is taken care of if anything ever happens to me.

This is everything that I’ve ever wanted and so much more.

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