Page 75 of The Nicest Thing
Even ones about your best friend.
With a groan, I shook my head.
Part of me blamed Finn for this.
I mean, what was he thinking, saying what he did, putting that out there as if it wouldn't rock my world?
In bed, thinking of you.
I'd dutifully pretended like I didn't hear him.
But God.
Those five little words wreaked havoc on my senses.
Then there was that almost kiss, the one where Finn leaned toward me, and I closed my eyes without thinking, craving his mouth, wanting it like I wanted oxygen.Like he was the only soul who could give it to me.
I came up with one explanation.
Finn O'Brien's touch drove me crazy.
And I could not let it happen again.
I'd successfully avoided him for the past few days, dodging his calls—Finn's voice was something I wanted to curl up in like a warm blanket, so it was for the best.I replied to texts but kept it brief, telling him I needed to work on my novel—which was true.Whenever I knew he was coming by Magnolia House, I made an excuse to not be there.Yayahad seen more of me recently, which she loved.But even she could tell something was up.
"You look tense," she'd said at our last tea.
I gave an awkward laugh.
But she just squinted her eyes, refusing to let it go."Is this about your Finn?"
"No!Absolutely not.Why would you ask that?"
"Men always make things complicated."
And wasn't that the truth?
Instead of confessing my secrets, I'd simply said, "It's all good,yaya.And he's not my Finn."
The conversation moved on to other topics, but I still remembered the pain I felt in my chest.Honestly, although I was in love with him, I didn't let the fact that I'd never have him get me down.Finn was my best friend.I was not the woman for him—for so many reasons.It was understood, an accepted fact in my mind.
So why did this melancholy hit me every time I reminded myself that he wasn't mine?
I'll go anywhere—as long as it's with you.
Finn had no idea the effect he had on me.
None.
But that was for the best because despite my unfortunate feelings, this wasn't one of my romance books.It was real life.And my happy ending had never been a sure thing.Whereas Finn, he deserved happiness more than anyone I'd ever met.
"Are you almost ready?Also, do you prefer Liv or Miss Lamoreaux?"
I looked up to find Mrs. Ried, staring at me with bright eyes.She was the librarian here at Chapel Hill High School.Ana and her writing group were waiting on the other side of the bookshelves in front of us.I could see her peering at me through the gap.She looked concerned.
"Yes," I said, snapping out of it, "I'm good to go.Oh, and it's Rose."
She nodded."Of course.It's so cool to meet a real author and have you come speak to the students."
