Page 120 of The Nicest Thing
"Rose, I need to tell you something."
"Hmmm?"
How could someone so muscly be so comfortable?
"It's something I've been wanting to tell you for a long time."
You can tell me anything.
"When I first saw you, I thought that is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my life," Finn said in a hushed whisper."I had to get to know you.And everything I learned I loved."
The "most beautiful woman" thing is absurd, but you're so sweet.
"I love how passionate you are about writing.I love that your mind is as beautiful as the rest of you.I love how kind you are to everyone, even if they don't deserve it.I love how much you care about your family.I love your books because they're a part of you."
He took a deep breath.
"You're my best friend, Rose.And I know this isn't the ideal time, but if I don't say it now, I'm not sure I ever will.I hope it doesn't ruin anything."
My brow furrowed.I wanted to tell Finn that he could never, ever ruin something.He made everything better.But I was nearly asleep and couldn't get the words out.
"I'm in love with you," Finn said."I love you, Rose.I want to keep being your best friend.I want to keep you forever.You and me, we're that hit-it-out-of-the-park kind of love.The forever kind.The kind you write about in your books.I've loved you for years.I'll love you always."
A moment passed.
"Rose?Did you hear me?"
He released a quiet sigh.
"And she's asleep.Perfect."
Finn kissed the top of my head, grip tightening slightly on my hip before relaxing.He didn't say anything else.Didn't have to.He fell asleep soon after, his breath deepening, body going lax.Part of me wondered if I was dreaming, but as creative as my imagination was, it had never been this good or this kind.
Finn O'Brien was in love with me.
My body may have been tired, but my mind was fully awake.I knew what I heard.My best friend just confessed his love—and he wasn't aware I heard every word.My heart wanted to believe it.Sure, the cabin was cold, but it was magical.The darkness.The way Finn held me.Anything could happen here.But some part of me, the part that always insisted unrequited love was the only thing I would ever experience, had a hard time believing.
Eventually, sleep pulled me under, but two questions burned bright in my mind.
Was Finn really in love?
Or did he just think he was?
CHAPTER 17: Finn
Rose was acting odd.
It was the little things.Like when our eyes met a second ago, she quickly looked away.When I accidentally brushed my hand against hers as I reached into the trunk for a box of books, she jumped as if I'd shocked her.That never happened before.To test if I was imagining it, I looked at her with a smile.
"Told you we'd make it," I said.
Rose nodded."You did."
"Are you excited for Romance or Die?"
"Yeah," she mumbled, "I just hope I don't, you know, die."
"You won't."
