Page 118 of The Nicest Thing
"Not really.But I can hum and do a mean karaoke."
"Ah, no, that's okay," I said with a laugh, putting some distance between us.
"Okay, trying not to be offended even though you look horrified at the thought of me singing," he said.
"It's not that."
He raised a brow in question.
The answer was anything but simple.
If I found out Finn had an amazing voice, it would make him even more attractive.In my eyes anyway.I was struggling as it was to keep my heart in check.I didn't need to add another reason to love him.There were too many of those already.
"Fine, don't tell me," Finn said after a moment."Just know I'm going to take you to karaoke at some point and rock your world."
"Is that a fact?" I asked.
"It's a promise."
I smiled and shook my head.
"So, did it work?"
"What?"
"Are you more relaxed?" he said.
"A little bit," I said then yawned."Honestly, I'm kinda tired."
"Okay, then let's sleep."
"Sleep sounds amazing."
It wasn't a lie.I really was tired.Closing my eyes, nodding off to dreamland, forgetting everything for a few hours would've been so welcome.I also needed sleep to be at the top of my game tomorrow—assuming we didn't get eaten by bears, or smote down by a freak lightning strike, and made it to the conference.There was only one problem.After we'd blown out all the candles, as I walked to the bed and got under the covers, Finn stepped up to the other side.He removed his shirt, lifted the thin comforter, and laid down next to me.
I teetered on the very edge of the bed.
Finn was probably doing the same.
It felt like there was a large chasm between us—as much as the queen bed would allow.But…also like there was no space at all?
That made no sense, but it was true.
I was so very aware of him.Every inhale, every exhale, the even tempo of his breathing, any small movement, I knew when it happened.I was awake and attuned to Finn.And…damn, I didn't think I'd be able to sleep like this.
Staring up at the ceiling, I laid there like a statue, stiff and cold.
Finn cleared his throat."You have enough blanket?" he asked.
"Yeah," I said quietly."You?"
"I'm not the one shivering again."
"I'm fine."My teeth chattered slightly, and I tried to stop the shaking, which only made it worse.
Finn sighed.
And then…
