Page 28 of The Nicest Thing
Looking around, a pang of regret shot through me.
At least if Emmy or Finn were here, we could laugh about the whole thing together.At least I wouldn't be alone.
"Need a refill?"
I looked up to find the guy who worked at the coffee shop standing near me with another water.
"Gotta stay hydrated," he said.
I laughed at that and shook my head."No, I'm still working on the first one."
"Ah okay."
Truthfully, I hadn't opened the first bottle he brought me, but it was a nice gesture.
"Is this company policy?" I asked."Do you bring all the authors who sign here drinks?"
"Only the pretty ones," he said which made me blush.
I didn't know what to say to that.
"Hey, I get off in a couple hours.Would you want to—"
"Rose," a familiar voice said.
At first, I thought I was hallucinating.My imagination was known to run wild.If that was the case, it had never been kinder to me than it was right then.My eyes widened as Finn jogged past bookshelves up to my table, stopping not two feet away.
"Sorry, I'm late."
"Finn," I breathed."What are you doing here?"
"Heard my favorite author was having a signing," he said, giving me one of his heart-stopping smiles."I wouldn't miss it."
My heart melted.
I was pretty sure I sighed.
"I…I can't believe you're here."
Finn shrugged like it was nothing, tucked his hands into his pockets, and lifted his chin at the barista."Hey."
"Hey."The guy nodded then looked to me."You need anything?"
"Ah no, but again, thanks for the water," I said with a smile.
"Anytime," he said.
Finn watched him as he walked away, but I couldn't help staring at my best friend.He was real.He was here.
"I still can't believe you came," I said.
"Of course, I did," Finn said, looking back at me."Got held up because of an accident.I was worried you'd be sold out by the time I got here."
I lifted my hands, encompassing the emptiness surrounding us."Nope, definitely not."
"Guess I missed the rush?"
"No one came, Finn."
