Page 21 of The Moment Promised

My soul.

My—okay. I’m definitely drunk.

I spin around, crashing into his chest. He holds me still with two firm hands, then slowly slides them down my arms to grab my hands.

We stay like this for only a moment before Finn starts swinging our arms back and forth. “Dance with me.”

“There’s no music.”

He sings theFriendstheme song.

I lift my face to the stars, a laugh easily escaping. It gets lost in the breeze.

He twirls me, and my feet splash in a wave that rolls higher into the sand.

These lyrics feel a little too personal. Except my love life is nonexistent by choice. I’ve never met a guy who knows basic human decency and respect. Well, except for Finn. He’s my only exception. To everything.

“You’re special,” I say.

He leans back but doesn’t pull his hands from mine. He still swings them side-to-side, humming the rest of the song, waiting for me to explain.

“Every guy I know sucks. Just plain sucks,” I start. “They are either misogynistic, incredibly rude, or selfish.” I draw a half circle into the sand with my big toe.

“I’m touched, truly.” He pulls a hand away to touch his chest, sarcastically.

I shake my head. “But you’re good. You aren’t like those other guys.” I shrug. “You’re special.”

His eyes glimmer from the moon’s light. “Adeline.” He shakes his head. “You were raised by a couple who demonstrated a toxic…abusiverelationship to you. But that’s not all that exists.” He sighs, “Don’t close yourself off to love, okay?”

I shrug.

He doesn’t seem pleased with my silent reply, but he doesn’t prod.

“I’m going swimming,” I say casually.

Finn raises a brow at me.

I giggle, pushing him aside and running toward the pitch-black waves. I pull my shirt over my head, throwing it back at Finn. I dive into the salty water, getting some in my mouth. I spit it out when I breach the surface.

“I hope you know it’s the sharks’ dinner time,” Finn’s voice calls out.

“Sharks don’t exist.” I wave him off, splashing around like a drunken idiot.

“Yup, that’ll scare them.” My eyes adjust to the dark enough for me to see him pulling his shirt over his head. “Splash around some more, love. The sharks won’t think you are a dying seal or anything.” He kicks off his shoes, running to join me in the water.

I scream as his arms wrap around my waist. “Please, spare me—” I’m thrown into the water, salt burns my nose since I didn’t have time to plug it. I surface and take a deep breath before going after him. “Oh, you are so gonna get it.” I go to push his bare chest, but he grabs my wrists before I can.

His expression goes from playful to serious as his eyes meet mine.

Kiss me again. For real this time.

I take off sprinting to shore, running from these thoughts, hoping they will fall out of my head like items in an open trunk of a car speeding down the highway. As the wind on my wet skin makes my teeth chatter, I realize I’m terrified. Terrified of ruining a friendship that has been my safety boat since I was nine. Terrified of a world without Finn. These feelings complicate something that used to be souncomplicated.

I want them gone.

6

EIGHT YEARS AGO

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