Page 72 of The Moment Promised

“Likewise. I thought you were going hiking with Chloe?” he says.

“She slept too late, so I figured I’d grab a coffee. I’m so embarrassed my card got declined,” I admit. “I need to figure something out.”

“Adeline,” the lady who took my order calls, placing a latte on the counter. I stand up to grab it, but Finn stands, moving quicker than me.

Such a gentleman.Nothing like my father,I think for a second before I push the unwanted memories away.

I sit back down, and he takes a small sip of my drink before handing it to me.

“This cannot be classified as coffee. It’s practically a milk shake,” Finn says, scrunching his nose in an attempt to seem repulsed. But it fails and he looks adorable instead.

“I need to get a job,” I say between sips.

“You have a job at Pete’s.”

“I mean here, in Authensville.”

“Here?” He shakes his head. “But what’s the point?”

“I like it here, and I can’t afford to stay without a job.”

“No place is going to hire you for such a short amount of time.”

We’ve already been here for two weeks, I realize. When we are together, time doesn’t exist. I shake my head. The reality slowly engulfs me.

“Hey.” Finn reaches across the table, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. “We have at least two weeks. Why don’t you see if this place will hire you for that amount of time?”

Two weeks. I have two weeks left as Finn’s…fling. It’s not enough time, albeit I don’t even think a lifetime with Finn would be long enough. I want him for eternity, and now he’s telling me I only get two more weeks?

“Okay. Good idea,” I whisper, feeling a jolt of pain at the thought of summer coming to an end way too fast. I don’t want to go back to the way things were. Not with Finn, and not with my life.

I’m having fun. I’m happy. I forgot what that felt like, but now that I’ve gotten a glimpse, I’m not willing to give it up.

Maybe after rehab, my mom won’t need me as much and I can go to college with Finn. I nod my head in approval, the hope of a future with the man I love inspires me to be optimistic.

I pull back my shoulders, standing tall. I walk up to the counter, which by some miracle holds no line. This lady is a magician for filling all these orders by herself. The place is packed with happy customers, she might not need my help after all.

“Hi…Betty.” I read her name tag. “It doesn’t seem like you need it, but I was wondering if you wanted help back there. I’m in Authensville for at least two more weeks.” I muster up my friendliest smile. “And you already know I need the money.”

“Were you sent from heaven?” She claps her hands together. “We’ve been hiring for almost three months, but no one’s applied! I would hire you on the spot, but I have to speak to the owner. He’s away in Colorado, but I’ll give him a call. What’s your name and phone number?” she asks, grabbing a pen with a pink pom-pom on the end.

I give her my information and she reminds me to look out for a call. I make a mental note to answer any call from an unknown number, which I normally wouldn’t. Telemarketers and all that.

“I can go run by the apartment and grab some more firewood,” Charlie says, stroking his chin as if he had a beard.

“This should be plenty,” Finn says, finishing off the teepee he’s created with the wood. I toss him a lighter, and after a moment the flames catch. Finn blows gently on the fire, igniting it to life.

The sun has just dipped below the horizon, leaving a painting in the sky with purples, pinks, and oranges so vibrant no photograph could ever capture it accurately. The lake reflects the evergreen trees that grow along the shoreline. The campfire fills the air with nostalgia, leaving us with childlike smiles.

“Dad, you should learn a thing of two from Finnegan,” Chloe teases.

“I’ve known how to build a fire since that boy was in diapers. I’ve been to a bonfire or two in my day.”

“Sure, Dad.” She laughs. Her eyes aren’t as fully alert as they usually are, and based upon her lazy body language, it’s safe to assume she’s feeling the buzz of her drink.

I opted for a nonalcoholic drink, so instead of beer I sip on a can of soda. Finn too. When I finish, I attempt to throw the can into the fire, and Chloe cheers, despite me missing by a solid foot.

“I love you guys,” Chloe says later in the night, wrapping an arm around me and one around Finn as she stands between us.

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