Page 43 of The Nicest Thing
"I bet Bella would've liked studying with you," I mumbled.
"Maybe," Finn said and leaned closer, "too bad I don't want to study with her."
"But she's so beautiful."
"Really?I didn't notice."
My breath hitched as his hand landed on my waist.
"I was thinking about my appointment with my tutor."
"Yeah, um, I think we should get started," I said shakily.
"I agree," Finn said, leaning closer.
As he closed the space between us, I waited for his lips to meet mine.It felt like he was going to kiss me.Should I stop him?Did I want to?Absolutely no to both those questions.Ever since last Christmas, when Finn had kissed me breathless, I'd wanted to do it again.I wanted it now—even though in the back of my mind I knew there was a reason we shouldn't do this.
Finn paused a breath away.
A moment later, I heard the lock click into place behind me.
He took a slow step back, shoved his hands into his pockets.
"So we won't be disturbed," he said.
I nodded, snapping out of it, his words acting like a glass of cold water thrown in my face."Yeah, good idea.I…we should…yes."
I could feel Finn's eyes on me as I walked past him, taking the moment to regulate my breathing and cool off.All the rooms in the shop were dark, sterile, quiet, and cold.I'd just forgotten that last bit because Finn made the space feel warmer.We used the rooms mostly when a customer wanted a piece or piercing done in an intimate area.I'd suggested us meeting here at a time when I knew my cousins would be out because I thought it would give Finn and me the most privacy.
"We have a lot to do," I said.
Finn stepped up to my side.
"Sounds good," he said, gesturing to the table I'd set up."What's all this?"
"A few props I thought we might need.I asked June, figuring she'd have a better idea about all the social media stuff than me."
June had helped Baylor—one of Finn's older brothers—to rehab his reputation when he needed it most.She planned and implemented a strategy that successfully helped him get where he wanted to be, using her marketing and social media know-how.The fact that they fell in love along the way made it that much sweeter.Although, truthfully, she'd been in love with him all along, pining after her best friend's older brother.Baylor had been too, though he refused to admit it.It had seemed hopeless…until it wasn't.
I smiled.
I loved a good happily-ever-after.
"What are you thinking about?" Finn asked.
"Nothing, just June and Baylor," I said."I'm glad they figured it out."
"Yeah, me too.It's hard sometimes."
"Love always is," I said with a sigh then refocused."Anyway, June suggested creating several reels at once, batching them in one session.It'll give us more content and make the most of our time."
"Smart."
"I came up with several scripts.Now, we just have to get the footage."
"Okay," Finn said with a grin."What's up first?"
First was Finn reading a book.
