Page 29 of The Nicest Thing
His brows pulled in, and I laughed.
"It's okay.I kind of expected it.I didn't tell anyone."
"Why not?"
I shrugged."Self-doubt.Fear of failure.Not a lack of confidence so much as an overabundance of caution.I want to know the ground is solid before I leap.You know?"
Finn nodded."I get that."
"So I sabotaged myself in the process," I said with a sigh."You're the first soul I've seen in a while."I sent him a smile."Not that I'm complaining."
"What about that guy?"
I drew back in surprise."What guy?"
"The one hitting on you when I walked in."
I shook my head on a laugh."You mean Bobby the barista?"
"That his name?"
"Yeah, he wasn't flirting."
Finn scoffed.
"He just brought me a pity water," I said.
"Didn't look like pity to me."
There was a weird note in his voice, and I squinted, trying to figure it out."You okay, Finn?"
"Yeah."He cleared his throat then said, "So, will you sign a book for me?"
"Of course!"
As I opened the cover, I couldn't stop the sigh that escaped.
"What's up?"
"I haven't sold any books, Finn," I admitted.
"Really?"
"Yeah.Total fail, but at least we're the only ones here to see it, right?"
"You're not a failure, Rose," he said.
I nodded but didn't look up as I passed him the book.
"Hey."Finn placed his fingertips under my chin and gently lifted until I had to meet his eyes."You're amazing, the most amazing girl ever.Say you believe me."
I rolled my eyes.
"Say it, Rose."
"I believe you are the best friend I could ever ask for," I said softly.
"That'll have to do, I guess."Finn stepped back, saying, "I need to make a call, but don't go anywhere, okay?I've got a ton of questions to ask about your next book."
