Page 42 of Lightness In My Dark

His hand covered his mouth as he inspected the gift.

“If you don’t like it, I can—”

“No! It will go well in my living room.” Cole gave me a quick nod. “Thank you so much.”

The last gift under the tree was for Finn from me. I handed him the present and sat back down. With all eyes on him, he took the wrapping off, lifted the box, and stared down.

Carter came closer and lifted the wallet out of the box. Finn sat frozen in his spot.

“Didn’t mom write this?” Cole moved closer too. Lindsey asked to hear it, so Carter read, “Let silence speak for you when there’s only frayed words. Keep your mind and heart open because you never know where treasures lie. Embrace love wherever it may find you. Second chances are hard to come by. Love mom.”

Stunned, Carter said, “You had this engraved on a wallet?”

I played with the bottom of my sweater. “I thought Finn might want a piece of his mom with him when he was away.”

Finn cleared his throat, rose, and left the room.

My hand covered my mouth. “I’m sorry. I saw it in his home office. Did I overstep?”

Cole and Carter regarded each other. In unison, they said, “Not at all!”

Cole said, “You couldn’t have gotten him a more precious gift than this one.”

I stretched the fabric of my sweater. “Except Finn didn’t find it precious.”

Carter let out a small tease. “Oh, he liked it all right.” He mouthed the words again. “No, I take that back. He loved the gift.”

“But he left.”

“To keep his emotions in check. My brother won’t allow himself a poignant moment.” Carter looked at me. “You did good, Wren.”

I got a garbage bag from the kitchen and collected the wrapping paper and bows. Finn joined while I was bringing the food to the kitchen. When I turned around after putting the dips and cheese in the refrigerator, I jumped at how close he stood. Finn cupped my face and pressed his lips to mine.

His lips lingered there some seconds before he said, “Thank you. I love the gift. I’m sorry you didn’t like—”

My hand grabbed his forearm. “No, I love it, Finn. I really do. Thank you.”

Our dimple smiles tempered the moment. Working together, we removed the already pre-prepared food Chef Dan had in the fridge and followed the directions regarding oven time and length. We moved in comfort. Lindsey and Carter came in to ask if they could help, so they set the table.

The food turned out great. They continued to talk and laugh, telling funny childhood and adult stories. At some point in the evening, I didn’t recall falling asleep on the floor, but Finn carried me upstairs. I rested my head on his shoulder, smiling at how perfect the day turned out.

Chapter 18 – Charity Gala

FINN

The bachelor auction made me cringe. I hated participating, but it was for charity. How could I decline? Besides, Wren was on the committee and didn’t want me to back out because I had already committed before our arrangement. I had a gut feeling Wren would bid to avoid me going on a date with someone else. That’s what I counted on and wanted—a date with my fiancé. Although backwards, we hadn’t been on one, so this was the perfect opportunity.

I popped an oxycodone earlier, thinking it would settle my nerves, but it didn’t. I removed my wallet from my jacket, ran my fingers over my mom’s words as I read them to myself, and it reduced my stress. No one bought thoughtful and wishful gifts as much as my parents did until Wren. Her gift surprised us all. After unwrapping it and seeing my mom’s words, there was a compression in my chest, and the tears choked me. I had to get out of there to find air. To hide the intense reaction her gift evoked in me.

The smell of the ocean waves and blossoms caught my attention. Wren stood on the bottom step with her coat on, looking at me. I slipped my wallet back into my pocket and bobbed my eyebrows.

My chest trembled. I tilted my head to the side with a lopsided grin and said, “Stunning as ever, Ms. Jagger.”

“If I could be so bold as to say that you, handsome as you are, look especially grand this evening, Mr. Trevino.”

I was amused, and then silence settled in.

Cole broke it as he put on his coat and asked, “Are you ready?”

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