Page 2 of Falling for Finn

Oakley

He’s a ten, but his shitty personality brings him down eight notches.

Tiernan

Maybe he’s married, and that’s how he makes sure no women flirt with him?

I peek over the top of my phone and look at his left hand resting on his thigh.

Oakley

Nope. No ring. But I guess that doesn’t always mean anything. I know plenty of men who purposely don’t wear theirs.

Tiernan

It’s times like that I’m glad I’m not single or searching.

Oakley

Who says I’m searching?

Tiernan

Oh please. You’ve always been my boy-crazy little sister and that hasn’t changed.

I chuckle, and that’s when Mr. Grumpy glances in my direction.

Oakley

Fair enough. But this farm guy ain’t it, sis. Even if he looks like a Greek god. I’ll be happy when we get there, and I never have to speak to him again.

I pretend I’m taking a picture of the barn we’re passing on his side but zoom in on his forearm. Holding back my laughter, I hit send.

Tiernan

Muscular, nice. How old does he look?

Oakley

Early to mid-thirties. But you know age doesn’t matter to me. I’d be a baddie and date a Daddy.

Tiernan

Oakley Jane!

I snicker, knowing how much she cringes when I talk about dating older men. She’s nine years older than her husband, so she’s one to talk.

After I send her three kiss emojis, I lock my phone. My sister is my rock and best friend, and I tell her everything. We vowed to have no secrets after she ended things with her abusive ex-husband. I knew something was wrong before she left, but she didn’t want me to worry and lied about how bad things were.

“So how long have you lived in Vermont?” I ask, trying once more to strike up a conversation.

He keeps his eyes focused on the road. “All my life.”

“Do you like it here?” I ask.

“Yeah.”

Reba McEntire sings in the background, but other than that and road noise, it’s quiet and awkward.

---