Page 9 of Protecting Jess

Finn recognized her as one of the dancers. His breath caught in his throat when he saw the flash of dark hair behind her.

It might’ve been a few years since he’d seen Jess, but the color of her hair wasn’t something he could ever forget. Not that it was distinctive, it was just—Jess.

“Jess,” he breathed and stepped toward her. His heart hammered loud enough for everyone to hear it.

“Finn? Wh—” Jess craned her neck around the corridor, as if expecting to see someone else.

Did she think he’d come with his parents?

“You know him?” the guy that’d been standing guard asked.

She nodded. “I do. It’s been a while.”

Finn itched to haul her into his arms. There’d been a flash of fear in her eyes when she’d seen him approaching.

Was she afraid of him?

Why?

Okay, it wasn’t as if their last meeting had been all sweetness and light. The opposite. It’d been hot and heavy, and he’d gone and walked away. Hadn’t bothered to talk to her.

Dislike, he could understand seeing in her eyes, but fear? No, he didn’t like the idea that she was scared of him.

An awkward silence fell around the small group, and Finn wished that it was just him and Jess. That they didn’t have an audience.

Unfortunately, they did and, after all of his training, after everything he’d endured to be a SEAL, he wasn’t going to let a little discomfort or awkwardness prevent him from talking to Jess. “You were fantastic on stage, Jess. Amazing.”

He took another step toward her, and this time, she didn’t step back.

“Thank you. It’s good to see you. I didn’t expect you to be in town.”

Finn shrugged, trying not to feel slighted that she hadn’t asked his mom if he was around. Not that he told his mom every time he went on a mission—although she would know because he’d always sent his dad a message. That way he could break the news to Finn’s mom that he was off doing something dangerous. She still hadn’t forgiven him for deciding to become a SEAL. She was proud, but also constantly worried. He loved her for it, but he did find it a little stifling.

“Can I take you out to get something to eat?” Finn asked when the conversation lagged again.

Well, truthfully, the last few minutes had been nothing but uncomfortable. Maybe he should just give up and go to meet Oak.

“Thanks, but I have to pass. It’s our last performance, and it’s tradition that we all get together and have a celebratory party.”

If he didn’t already know Jess was lying, the way her friend’s head whipped around suddenly would’ve given her away.

Finn had always been able to tell when Jess wasn’t telling the truth—her eyes would dart to the left quickly before returning to look at the person she was lying to. Also, her cheek twitched a little. The movements were subtle, but he’d seen her lie to her dad when she was a kid. When she’d tried it on Aunt Poppy, she’d either call Jess out on it or let it pass.

Like he was going to do, right now.

There was no way he was going to force her to do anything she didn’t want to do. Even though it cut him to the bone that she didn’t want to be near him.

He deserved this reaction. He’d been a jerk to her that night.

Finn smiled softly, shoving his hands in his pockets so he didn’t give into the temptation to reach out and pull her in for a hug. In the past, it wouldn’t have been an issue. In fact, it would’ve been natural. But after the kiss they’d shared, things were different.

“Have a great time. It was really good to see you, Jess. Give your mom a hug from me when you see her.” He held her gaze for a few more seconds before he turned and walked away, wishing that things could’ve been different.

Wishing she was walking beside him instead of standing by the door.

Wishing that he hadn’t been an ass that night four years ago.

Four

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