Page 10 of Fluttering Heart

“You really still want me there even when you’re supposed to be hanging out with your brothers?” He looks skeptical, his eyes narrowed.

“Yes. I promise I do.” I nod multiple times for emphasis. “Today is brunch, then maybe doing some touristy things, then dinner at Charlie’s, and then the concert.” He looks completely frozen for a long moment and I start thinking I just totally fucked this up.

“I like concerts,” he says suddenly.

“Yeah?” I brighten. “Cool. How about hockey games? Do you like those? And how do you feel about crowds? Would you prefer having personal space or not so much?”

He looks even more confused now—I don’t blame him—but he also looks like he’s listening intently and paying attention to every single one of the million words I’m throwing at him.

“I like hockey games,” he starts slowly. “And I feel weirdly safe being in a crowd.” His voice sounds a bit breathy then, and that doesn’t seem right.

“Are you okay?” I ask, worried when his breathing gets erratic.

“Uh-huh,” he answers, voice high-pitched.

CHAPTER 6

Lou

Who is this man?

Finn Heart.

That’s what he said his full name is.

Not only is he absolutely fine with introducing me to his brothers on what appears to be our first date, but he wants to take me to a concertandto a hockey gameon said date.

Those are public spaces where other people will see us and maybe realize we’re on a date.

“So, does that plan sound okay to you? We still have to figure everything out for tomorrow morning and early evening since the game starts at seven, and I know this is all weird, spending two days with a guy who you met when he knocked on your door by mistake while he was drunk out of his mind and then puked in your bathroom before passing out in your bed, again, so sorry about that.”

His rambles are so adorable. It does not compute with how freaking good looking he is. I’d always assumed people this good looking were always sure of themselves.

“But I like you,” he continues. “And I know you might want to kick me to the curb after you meet my brothers, but?—”

“I don’t think I will. If they’re anything like you, I’ll like them.” I surprise myself with how straightforward I am, but I don’t regret it. It seems that I’m safe letting the adorably handsome Finn Heart know that I like him even before our first date.

Thathas never happened before.

Just like wanting to actually take meouton dates. No other man has done that either.

No, I was hidden away in my two previous relationships. And I’ve never been the type of guy for hookups. My exes lied to their families about theirfriendLou. They made me feel like the most worthless piece of trash, and I let them. Until I didn’t.

And now it seems I might actually have found a guy who isn’t like that.

Could this be real?

“So, you’re still up for our super-long date?” Again, there’s so much hope in his eyes. “Please go out on a date with me even if it’s chaperoned by my brother.” He opens those dark, dark eyes wider and brings his hands together in front of him as if begging.

That’s also new.

No man has ever begged me for anything before.

I mean, he’ll probably ditch me when he finds out how boring I am...

So I better enjoy it while it lasts, I decide.

“I’m happy to hang out with your brother too, and yes, go on a chaperoned date.” I stop holding back and let the smile I’ve been controlling unfurl on my face.

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