Page 102 of Give Me a Reason

Finn shook his head. “I was an idiot. I didn’t know what I was talking about.”

I held on to his biceps. “You were right to say what you did.”

I dropped my forehead to his. “I love you, and I don’t want to be apart again. It just about killed me. I want you in my life and in Paisley’s life.”

“I want that too. I should have trusted you. I should have talked to you.” There were so many ways I could have handled that situation better.

“I don’t blame you for reacting the way you did. It will take a while for you to know you can trust me. And I’ll be with you every step of the way.

I smiled, everything settling inside me. “That’s all I can ask for.”

“Are you two lovebirds planning on joining us?” Harrison asked with a smirk as he passed us on the way to the bathroom.

“What do you say? Should we get back to our friends?” Finn asked.

“I don’t want to stay too long,” I said, hoping he understood what I was saying. “I missed you.”

He kissed me softly. “We’ll stay long enough to be polite, then we’ll get out of here.”

He took my hand and led me to the bar, where our friends were laughing and talking. I took the first sip of my drink and relaxed, knowing everything was right in my world. I knew I needed to take care of myself before stepping in to help my sister and my parents. That I needed to stop and think before I reacted to a situation that triggered my fight-or-flight mode.

Finn stood behind me, his arms around my waist as I leaned into him. I rested my head on his shoulder, content and happy. I had Finn and Paisley, Ireland, and my friends at Happily Ever Afters.

Harrison returned the gesture of throwing an arm around Everly. They were enjoying a child-free weekend since his daughter, Wren, was with her mother. Gia talked animatedly to Harper and Ireland about some mother of a bride who’d passed out at the reception. “Apparently, she hadn’t eaten or drunk anything all day.”

“I thought it was the bride who was supposed to do that?” Ireland asked.

“You have to be on the lookout for the groom and the parents too. There’s the risk of groomsmen or bridesmaids being hungover as well.”

The talk continued around us about upcoming weddings and potential venues.

“What about the Christmas tree farm? Have we heard anything from the family?” Harrison asked.

“I think we need to try to talk to them one more time. I suggested a sit-down at the farm. If they agree, I want everyone present: Harper, Ireland, Aria, and even Harrison. I want an answer for any possible scenario they throw at us.”

“You mean that Emmett throws at us,” Ireland said.

“He seems to be the issue,” Gia said.

“We’re not here to talk shop. Instead, let’s do a toast.”

We all raised our glasses.

Harrison looked down at Everly as he said, “To more happily ever afters in our future.”

Everyone clinked glasses, and Finn leaned down to whisper into my ear. “I’ll drink to that.”

“Who wants more drinks?” Harrison asked the group.

“You ready to get out of here?” Finn asked me softly.

I grinned. “I thought you’d never ask.”

We said our good-byes, taking some ribbing from Harrison and love from Ireland before we finally made our escape.

Finn closed the hotel door behind us. On the drive over, I had visions of reconnecting that had nothing to do with talking, but I needed to show him something first.

I sat on the bed and pulled my sketchbook out of my bag. “You said you were interested, and I wanted to show you some of my drawings.”

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