Page 106 of Strictly Business

The guesthouse is as big as the typical home you’d find back in the States. The foyer opens to an large living space with a sitting area, a huge kitchen, and a dining room. Dark stained wood arch doors lead from the living space to a covered patio. Step through the tall arches of the patio, and you’ll find a courtyard overlooking rolling hills of the vineyard. This place has at least four bedrooms and an office and a gym…they really thought of everything. The Vitalis have created an oasis at the center of their expansive estate, and I wish I had found the courage to join her sooner — if only I had known. Had I known, I would’ve jumped on the first flight.

Michaela stands in the center of it all with her arms crossed. Her eyes narrow in annoyance, and her nostrils flare, but I find the whole display cute. She’s trying to be upset because she feels like she should be. “What do you want, Finn?”

“I’m sorry.”

She huffs paired with the biggest eye roll, I’m surprised her eyes don’t fall on the floor.

“I know you think I lied and hid things from you, I’m not going to sit here and dismiss how you feel, but… Michaela, I didn’t tell you because I didn’t think I had to. Looking back, yeah, I should’ve told you everything, but I didn’t think it mattered.”

“Of course, it mattered, Finn!”

“Why? That deal with Oliver had nothing to do with you. It happened before we ever started dating.”

“Because.”

“Because, why?”

She searches through an index of answers, but can’t quite find the right one. “Just because!” She throws her hands up walking into the kitchen.

“We weren’t dating, Michaela. I didn’t owe you an explanation about anything. We weren’t even truly friends yet. You were just the person Nina put on the project in her place.”

Michaela fills a kettle with water and puts it on the stove, but she doesn’t turn back to me. Her eyes stay trained on the stove.

“Why would I tell you? I didn’t even want to tell Nina, but I had no choice.” And that’s the truth. I knew I couldn’t do it without Nina’s help so, I had to tell her because it was the only way she’d take me seriously. Even then, she was skeptical until everything was approved. Can’t say I blame her with my track record. “I’m sorry if that’s not what you want to hear, but it’s the truth.” Finally, her eyes meet mine. “We slept together, and I knew it was a mistake— Don’t make that face. It was a mistake. I took advantage of you. I’m sorry for that. You and I have always had a complicated relationship, but sleeping together made it even more so. On top of that, I didn’t think we’d see each other outside of the occasional family gathering. I thought we could manage. Until I saw you at Coney Island and then on the street with David… Something was different. I thought it was because we’d slept together, but I knew it was more than that. I cared about you, despite what you think, I always have even if you got on my last nerve. But this, this was different. I felt the change, but didn’t understand what that meant.”

“So, why didn’t you tell me the truth?”

“When I got into the trenches of what we were doing with Sheffield House, keeping the money was no longer the most important thing. It was helping the kids, giving them the support they need. I just wanted to make sure Sheffield House happened. Why does it matter what jumpstarted the whole thing? Michaela, you’re not even mad that this ‘bet’ — if you really want to call it that — was the catalyst for me starting the company. You’re only mad that you weren’t aware.”

“That’s not true.”

“Yes, it is. You’re the nosiest person I’ve ever known. You always have been. And, if you truly thought I had lied to you, you would’ve never let me walk through that door tonight.” She turns back to the kettle, but I pull her back to face me. “I should’ve fought harder when you told me about David, but I was heartbroken. You were choosing him over me and it hurt.” I gently wrap my arms around her. “I know you’re scared. I’m scared too. I can’t promise everything will be perfect. Knowing us, it’ll be far from, but we can be perfectly imperfect together. I love you, Shortcake.”

My confession makes her body go rigid in my arms, and she tries to take a step back, “Finn—”

“I do, I love you.” I had never considered this an option until last year. Michaela had always been Shortcake, Josh’s little sister, the annoying kid who never left us alone, but she did offer entertainment value on occasion. Sure, I felt a little protective over her, but looking back, I don’t know if it was because she was my best friend’s sister or because there was always an underlying connection between us. “I wish I had realized it sooner. It could have saved us both a lot of heartache.”

Her blue eyes glisten under the warm lights, and for a second I think she’s going to close the gap between us. The kettle begins to scream breaking the trance. Michaela pulls it off the burner and gathers the ingredients for tea — dried roses and some other spice — stuffing them in a metal tea bag holder. “Finn, I’m not living in New York anymore. I sold the condo, I don’t have a job, I don’t have—”

“You can stay with me.”

“Be serious,” she huffs.

“I am,” I say without hesitation. “If you want space, you can move into the guest room, but… Michaela, stay with me.”

Michaela chews on her bottom lip, considering my words. This is a lot, I know it’s a lot, but I can’t go another day knowing she isn’t mine. I’ll give her anything she wants as long as it means bringing her back home with me. She takes a deep breath meeting my stare, finally uttering, “I love you too, Finn.”

Chapter Fifty-Eight

MICHAELA

FINN PULLS THE LOCKET from his pocket, “Guess I should give this back now, huh?”

“Please,” I sigh and turn so he can put it on.

“Little unknown fact,” he says, bringing the chain around my neck, and my hand instinctively reaches for it. A tidal wave of comfort hits me when my fingers grasp the small metal heart. It’s like walking into your parents’ home on Christmas. “I helped your brother pick this out.”

Why would he have picked this out? It was a gift from my parents and Josh for my eighteenth birthday. He wasn’t even home when I got it.

---