Page 29 of Finn

Enough, Sammie!

This really needs to stop, so I snap sarcastically, “A hair tie is the reason why you drove over here to see me? Really, Finn?”

“It is.” He nods. “It’s yours, right?”

I grab the stupid tie from him roughly ’cause he’s full of shit on this one.

“Yes, of course it’s mine,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Or have you had some other girl over since then?”

His emerald eyes snap back to mine as he says brusquely, “You know I haven’t.”

I know.

I’m just being a bitch.

But that doesn’t stop him from holding my gaze and saying softly, “Go out with me, Sammie.”

I chortle, “What? Like on a date?”

He’s dead serious as he replies, “Yeah, like on a date. A real date. What do you say?”

Sighing, I shake my head and look down.

As I flick away a tiny piece of lint from my black work pants, I reply, “No.”

He breathes out a long, clearly frustrated breath. “Why not?” he implores. “Did you not have a good time last night?”

“I did,” I admit in a whisper, still looking down. “But I thought we already had this conversation. We both have no time for relationships.”

He says gently, “I’d make time for you, Sammie.”

And there goes my heart.

But I have to steel it.

I can’t give in.

Huffing, I just blurt out the truth. “Look, Finn, if it makes you feel any better, it’s me, not you. I’m just not in a good headspace for dating, whether it’s you or someone else.”

He mulls my words over while I sit quietly.

Finally, he says resignedly, “Okay, I have to accept what you’re saying, even though I hate it. But can I ask you one question?”

“What’s that?”

“You said last night that you’d be open to doing something with me just as friends. Does that still stand? Can we hang out sometime as buddies?”

“Buddies?” I scoff. “Don’t you think that ship has sailed?”

“No.” He shakes his head. “It doesn’t have to be that way. We’re both adults. I think we can put last night behind us and start over.”

Damn. I do hate the thought of never seeing him again. And what real harm could come from just being his friend?

I have work acquaintances, but the only person I really spend time with outside of my jobs is Ellie. Unfortunately, as of late, she’s usually busy with Nils.

So, yeah, a new friend would be nice.

But to clarify that last night can never happen again, I say, “Okay, but you have to promise me that we can never give in. No more Duck Fart shots. No more ending up in bed.”

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