Page 90 of Falling for Finn

For days, I packed, with no place to go other than Florida. Tiernan was excited and so was I, but the hole in my heart was nagging at me. In only a few short weeks, I’d somehow gotten used to the farm, and surprisingly, found myself missing it.

Missinghimmore than anything.

One night while I was chatting with Tiernan, I remembered my favorite palette was in one of the boxes Finn shipped back. We were talking about baby stuff as I unpacked it, and I found an envelope with my name on the front. It was in Finn’s handwriting. I hadn’t realized he’d written a letter, and tears welled in my eyes as soon as I opened it.

I’d read it aloud to my sister, and by the end of it, she demanded I go to him. We were both in tears, and I could no longer contain my emotions. I told her it was crazy to drop everything without a plan, so she helped me make one.

Step one: sell everything I didn’t need, then put what was left in storage.

Step two: book a one-way ticket to Vermont.

Step three: ask Jessa to pick me up at the airport so I can surprise Finn at his house.

That was a week ago.

I needed time to get rid of my furniture and pack my art supplies. Jessa kept me updated and kept an eye on Finn for me. As did Levi. Both of them were on board.

A part of me wanted to reach out and make sure it was okay to show up, but I wanted to talk face-to-face about what he wrote in that letter. It wasn’t something to nonchalantly discuss over the phone.

“Levi’s on his way to Finn’s house now to make sure he’s home. I tried like hell to get him to take the day off to rest, but he wouldn’t budge. He’s been a grumpy ass,” Jessa tells me.

I snort. “Sounds like him.”

We continue making small talk as we drive closer to the farm. Nervous butterflies swarm my stomach, and I mentally rehearse what I want to say to Finn.

“Grandma’s gonna be excited to see you too,” she says, then adds, “The whole family will be.”

“You don’t think I’m crazy for doing this, do you?” I ask warily.

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“I put my entire life—that I had no intention of leaving—in boxes and flew across the country for amanbecause he wrote me a love letter. Doesn’t that make me lose my feminist card or something?”

She bellows a laugh. “Sweetie, if someone poured their heart out to me and meant it without expecting sex afterward, I’d do whatever it took to be with them. I love the orchard, but I’d never pass up a chance for happiness with my soulmate. You’re too talented to worry about finding work, anyway. Plus, you have a social media expert at your disposal, so I’ll help you market yourself online. I have no doubt you’ll find a way to be successful wherever you live. But finding a love like you havewith Finn again? Not likely. You’d search for that again for the rest of your life.”

Deep down, I know she’s right. I truly believed I had to be in California to be successful when my career allows me to live anywhere in the world. I might not get huge commissions or be asked to create something for an A-list actor, but that’s not why I paint. I do it because it’s like oxygen—Ineedit to survive. And no matter what, I’ll never stop painting regardless of whether I’m getting paid for it.

So when Finn confessed he’d fallen in love with me, I knew I had to tell him in person that I’d fallen for him too. I didn’t want to just tell him. I needed to show him how much he meant to me with action.

Being with the man I love is more important than a career in a big city.

I should’ve realized that earlier and am kicking myself for not, but I didn’t know how he felt until I read his letter. Once I flew home, I assumed it was over.

Turns out, it wasn’t, and I couldn’t be more excited to see him again.

But I hadn’t anticipated him havingcompany.

However, I knew not only by his letter but also by witnessing how much he hated being around his ex and the times he stated he’d never take her back. If I know one thing about Finn, it’s that he’s not a liar.

“Come inside,” Finn says. Once the door is shut, he continues, “But that doesn’t answer my question. What are you really doing here?”

I smirk, admiring his handsome face. “I read your letter and wanted to respond…in person.”

“Oh.” He scratches his cheek, and I notice how scruffy his jawline is from not shaving. His gaze lowers down my body like he’s ready to eat me alive.

“But first, I have to ask…” I tilt my head in anticipation, gazing at his inked biceps and wanting to lick over his tattoos. “Can I crash here tonight?”

He puffs out a laugh of disbelief. “Sure, but I should warn you, the couch isn’t that comfortable.”

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