Page 50 of Finn

“Okay, you have a point.” I acquiesce and take the sweaters and hoodie, placing them in the suitcase.

Taking a step back and leaning against the open closet door, Ellie folds her arms over her chest and gives me a look.

“What?” I ask.

Smirking, she says, “Sooo, you’re going to a secluded cabin in the woods with Finn. And you’ll be there for a fewweeks. Are you sure you two are still just friends? Or have you been holding out on me?”

I roll my eyes at her. “I’m definitely not holding out on you. We’re still just friends.”

“Hmmm,” she murmurs. “You don’t think that may change when it’s just the two of you hanging out alone in that cabin, do you?”

I shake my head. “No, nothing will change.”

She looks doubtful as she scoffs, “Ha! We’ll see about that.”

I am a little worried about spending all that time alone with Finn. I mean, I really want to. But I need to remain strong.

I think I can.

Look how well I’ve done these past three months.

Okay, there have been times that I’ve wanted to kiss him or feel his touch again.A lotof times. But I never gave in.

I’m sure Alaska will be no different.

Groaning, Ellie pushes away from the closet door and throws her hands in the air.

“What now?” I ask.

She walks over. “Ugh, I wasn’t going to say anything, but, Sammie, I just don’t understand.”

“What don’t you understand?” I ask carefully as I sit down on the bed next to the suitcase.

Ellie plops down across from me.

Looking over at me, she says, “I know you don’t like to talk about it, but really,whyare you and Finn still just friends? You guys spend so much time together, so you clearly get along. I’d have thought something would have happened by now.”

Little does she know something happened at the very beginning, and that’s why the whole let’s-be-friends-only decision came about.

“Are you not attracted to him?” she asks. “Do you not see how fucking hot the man is? And he’s such a good guy, Sammie. I just don’t get it.”

In an effort to divert her, I ask, “How do you know it’s me and not him who wants to remain just friends?”

“Pfft.” She shakes her head. “First, I see the way he looks at you. Oh, and then there’s the little fact that he mentioned one time to Nils that he’d like more.”

My brows shoot up. “He did, did he?”

Looking smug, she states, “He sure did.”

I’m equal parts surprised and intrigued that Finn confided in Nils. But I shouldn’t be. They are good friends, after all.

“Listen.” Sammie points a finger at me. “I know you said a while ago that you had no time for men or for love. But you sure have plenty of time to hang out with Finn. I think that means there’s something there.” She lowers her finger and adds in frustration, “But you just keep denying it. It’s like you don’t think you deserve to be happy, Sammie.”

If she only knew how right she is.

“Maybe I don’t,” I whisper, looking down.

“Stop it. Of course you do,” she says softly.

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