Page 16 of The Nicest Thing
"Must be serious," Finn said."If you pulled me in here."
"Please, you've been in my room plenty of times."
With a happy sigh, he flopped onto his back, placed his hands behind his head."Yeah, it's one of my favorite places."
You being in my bed is one of my favorite things.
Oof.
Focus, Rose.
This was it.If he had changed his mind and said no, I'd deal with the embarrassment.If he agreed…I was almost more afraid of that possibility.Best to just rip the Band-Aid off.
"I need your help, Finn," I said.
Sobering, he sat up and nodded."Whatever you need, I'll do it."
My heart warmed at his words, but as I walked to the bed and took a seat beside him, I remembered my situation and grew cold once more.
"Yesterday, I told a stupid lie."I shook my head."The stupidest ever.My readers will hate me if they find out.Worse, they'll never trust me again."
"Ah Rose, I don't know about that."
"I've seen it happen.Social media can be a fiery pit of despair.One wrong move, and people come at you with vitriol and hate—it's why I've been content to stay relatively unknown until now."
I paused then forced myself to continue.
"I have to sell more books, Finn.I have to.I really don't want to ask you this, but I can't afford for my author career to tank, not now."
Not when I had Grandma Rose to think about.
I met my best friend's eyes.
"Will you be my fake husband?" I said.
"Yes," Finn said.
I blinked.
"Don't you want to take a second to think about it?"
"Nope," he said then walked past me and out the door.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
Finn was already half-way through the living room as I jogged to catch up.
"I'm leaving before you can take it back," he said.
"I'm not—we still have to discuss the terms!"
At the entrance, he turned to face me, and I pulled up short.
"Okay, but it doesn't matter," Finn said."I'm in."
I gulped.
"If you want to talk terms or whatever, find me tomorrow.I've got classes in the morning, practice with the Wolves after that.But just know, nothing you say will change my mind.Night, Rose."
