Page 41 of Making Home with You
Finn: I’ll see you later
The rest of the night passes slowly, and by eleven p.m.I’m falling asleep on the couch and Finn still isn’t home.I have no idea what time it is, but I wake to Finn lifting me off the couch and carrying me into the bedroom.
He pulls my shirt over my head and undoes my bra, as I slide back onto the bed.He tugs at my sweatpants and I lift my hips to help him, but he stops there leaving my underwear on.Kissing my forehead, he murmurs, “Good night, sweet girl.”Then he strips off his clothes and climbs into bed beside me.
I want to ask him about Carla and about work, but I curl up against his body, my lips pressing into his chest, I feel his heartbeat and his steady breathing as I fall asleep.
Finn is gone when I wake up in the morning.I didn’t even hear him leave which goes to show me just how wrecked I am from this week.
It’s after ten when I finally roll out of bed.There’s a note on the counter from Finn along with a coffee and blueberry muffin.
Sarah,
Had to leave early.I’ll be home in time for the party.
Love,
Finn
He signed it “love” and the teenage girl in me is all giddy and even more excited about his mention of the party.He’s going to come and it’s because of me.
But when the clock hits seven and Finn’s still not here, I grow worried and text him.He replies immediately that he’s running late but will meet me there.Right now, I’m just glad he’s okay, because whatever is happening at work is consuming all his time.
I look up at the clock for what feels like the millionth time.It’s after nine and Finn still isn’t here, the bar is beginning to fill with costume-clad people and I wonder if I’ve made a mistake pushing the fact that I wanted Finn to wear a costume, let alone join me at the party.But it isn’t such an extreme request surely; it’s a party for his brother and future sister-in-law.
I tug at my costume as it rides up a little, cutting into my hips and making it slightly uncomfortable.
“He doesn’t really like parties.You’ll get used to it,” a voice says from behind me.
When I turn around Kelsey is standing there with a small smile on her face, but it’s just for show.It’s almost like she’s trying to reassure me that it isn’t my fault Finn has yet to show up.
Part of me assumed he’d use work as an excuse to avoid tonight.But another part of me, the one that likes to think Finn and I have something, needs him to show up.To show me that he enjoys spending time with me despite his hatred of costumes and crowds.That he wants to be with me regardless.
“Seriously, Sarah…” Kelsey says but stops short and I see her eyes widen, and when I hear Beck yell out, “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!”my eyes instantly gravitate toward the entrance to the bar.
I see him, standing, scanning the crowd, searching for someone, searching for me.In that moment my heart stops and everything around me falls silent.
I feel his eyes on me, his smile grows as he takes me in and all I can focus on is him walking over to where I’m standing.Navigating the crowded room and ignoring the comments and the women who attempt to stop him.
“That boy loves you, Sarah,” Kelsey says, her mouth close to my ear.“Look at his face!”
“What?”I ask, appalled by her reaction to Finn’s arrival.
“Don’t act like you don’t know,” she says, giving my side a little pinch before she bails, leaving me speechless.
He loves me?I think as Finn finally stops in front of me, his smile even broader than before.He can’t possibly love me or could he?
“Sarah,” he murmurs and my knees grow weak.His fingers brush against my bare stomach and come to rest on my hip.The warmth of his skin touching mine makes me suck in a ragged breath and I swallow hard.“You look fucking amazing,” he says before leaning in closer, taking my head in his large hand and kissing me hard.
As soon as his lips connect with mine, I let out a small moan and he slips his tongue in gently.Caressing and stroking against mine as I smile and let out a small giggle.
Finn pulls back, his forehead resting against mine and I whisper, “You came.”
“Of course I did, Sarah.I would never let you down.”
I nearly crumble to the floor at his words.I hear so much truth in them.I trust Finn wholeheartedly and after what Kelsey said, I can’t help but think she’s right.He does love me.
“Plus I had to,” he growls and moves away from me, his possessive side coming through.“Knowing you were dressed like this in a bar full of drunken assholes didn’t really sit well with me.”
