Page 57 of Lightness In My Dark

Finn agreed. “Yeah, it’s one of my favorites.” He leaned down and kissed my cheek. “We’ll go and Peter here…”—he gave him a chin nod— “… will be our guide. Of course, at his company’s expense.” Peter and Finn toasted to it.

It was a five-star meal. We had the choice of lobster tail, steak, or chicken. Finn chose lobster for me, and he took steak.

Finn, Jared, and Peter caught up on what had been happening, and Jared mentioned something about getting together. Then Finn shushed him and tipped his head toward me, quieting Jared. I didn’t know what they were talking about, and it bothered me.

The wait staff cleared the table at record speed while the music began. Finn and Jared excused themselves, and Peter scooted closer.

“You must make Finn happy.”

I sipped my wine. “How can you tell?”

“I’ve only known Finn a few years, so I can’t say we’re real close. That said, he’s smiling more than he has throughout the two years I’ve known him.”

Cole piped in. “Wren is good for him.”

I hugged Cole. Between the wine and compliments, my insides fluttered, and I experienced a high foreign to me.

Peter asked if I wanted to dance, and I accepted becauseJust Like Heaven by The Curewas playing. We found the middle as I hopped and kicked my legs out, arms swaying from side to side. Although not the best dancer, he moved along with me. We danced and laughed from song to song until a slow one came on. I was about to leave, but Peter caught my arm and shrugged, so I put one hand on his shoulder and the other in his hand as he did the same. To avoid any discomfort, he talked about London and all the areas to explore.

Not long into the song, hands slipped around my waist, Peter backed away, and Finn had his chest airtight to my back. He smelled of Finn—patchouli, sandalwood, and whiskey. I rested into him. Our hips swayed in slow motion. His face buried into the curve of my neck. The song faded intoI Don’t Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith,and I realized I didn’t want to miss this or anything else with Finn. With my hands on top of his, my body pressed back, I felt his erection rubbing my butt. We swirled our pelvises and he spun me around, our bodies cemented together. Finn sunk down, his lips grazed along mine, heavy-lidded eyes flickering to my mouth, and I opened to receive him. A Louisiana’s summer evening kind of kiss—sultry—dampness sticking clothes to our skin. It lasted far too short.

His friends broke our kiss by pulling him away from the dance floor, beckoning me to follow. Cole saw them and gestured for us to go. Lo-and-behold, Julius and Marie had a karaoke room, and the bride and groom cheered when I walked in. I laughed and turned to hightail it out. Next thing, Finn swept me up in his arms, carrying me to the stage. Cole was clapping. The band was the same from the bar. They remembered me and we shook hands.

By now, the room had accumulated more bodies, and my hands trembled. They agreed to playI Do by Colbie Cailla.

At the microphone, I let out a nervous laugh. “Okay...” I looked at each one. “Julius. Marie. This one’s for you.”

As soon as the melody started, everyone erupted in shouts and claps. I flexed my hands and gripped the microphone stand. Once I began to sing, the room went quiet. Couples held hands, rocking, and Finn and his friends had their arms over each other’s shoulders, eyes on me. Julius and Marie stood right in front of the stage, so I sang to them. A tear glossed over her cheek. She turned to Julius and kissed him. When I finished, the noise level shot up as I thanked the band members.

People chantedmore more, but I shook my head. Finn swung me around while kissing my face. I laughed and he put me down. Julius and Marie thanked me while she patted her face. Others I didn’t know complimented me, and then I saw Cole. He stood with saucer eyes. Mouth opened in surprise by my performance.

He hugged me and said, “That was wonderful. I can’t believe how talented you are.”

I hugged him and said, “Aw, thanks, that’s sweet.”

Hours later, Cole already gone, Finn and I walked to the coat rack with our arms around each other’s waist. It had been an incredible night. Full of magic and fun. I prayed our wedding would be as entertaining, and by then, Finn and I comfortable with the idea of marriage.

Chapter 26 - Life in the Fast Lane

FINN

Any residual doubts about Wren and me, excuses to distance the relationship, disappeared. When I met her, I’d be the first to deny any romanticism would transpire between us. Now Wren fused herself into our family niche and into my heart. Thepiccolahad blossomed from a cautious woman, trekking lightly around others, to taking a stand, building strength inward and outward.

It was for this reason I hadn’t divulged what I planned for the evening. I didn’t want to hurt Wren. She meant too much to me. And yet, I kept my arrangement because it’s part of who I am. My friends are important, too, and our yearly get together nursed me through tough times.

I asked Chef Dan to pack a little basket of alcohol, cheese, crackers, and other things. Evening approached, and I hoped Wren wouldn’t see the basket I carried to the door and inquire. She came down the stairs, shattering my wish.

She narrowed her eyes on the basket and swallowed. With what resembled fear on her face, asked, “Are you going on a date?”

I shook my head. “No. I’m going out with the guys.”

Wren stepped off the last step, her hand falling from the railing, leaning her hip against it. Her eyes kept wandering to the basket.

“Did you go on the charity date?”

“Yes. In January. I took her to lunch, went shopping, and then dinner. It wasn’t much, but she didn’t complain.”

Wren pursed her lips, averting my eyes. A heaviness fell out with a sigh. I wanted to avoid this moment, to sneak out like a spineless bastard for the sole purpose of Wren not looking at me the way she did.

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