Page 103 of Give Me a Reason

He sat next to me. “I’d love to see them.”

I opened the book, rifling through the pages of drawings. Some focused on expressions, and in others, I’d drawn the square cartoon boxes, complete with word bubbles and short storylines. Finn leaned over my shoulder. “These are incredible.”

“When I interviewed for the assistant wedding planner position, my binder had drawings of my ideas. Gia loved that during a consultation with a bride and groom, I could draw their vision right in front of them.”

“It’s your superpower.”

I smiled at his characterization. “Yeah, I guess it is.”

“I’m so happy you showed this to me.”

“These drawings are personal to me, and I wanted to share them with you. Also, I was thinking of writing a graphic novel. Maybe about a girl who’s poor and takes care of her family, but at night, she acts as a superhero, helping others who need it.” I flipped to the back of the book, where I’d drafted some options.

“I think that’s a great idea. I love that storyline. Besides, it’s about you. You’re the superhero in your story.”

“I may not have helped others.”

“You help everyone you encounter. You make them a better person.”

I shrugged. “I have no idea how to write a graphic novel or how to get it published.”

Finn touched my chin and then kissed me. “But you’ll figure it out.”

“For the first time, I feel like I’m doing what I’m passionate about.” I could draw as part of my job and do this on the side. Even if only Paisley and our friends read it, I’d be happy.

Finn hugged me into his side. “That’s why it’s perfect.”

“You don’t think it’s too much? A job as a wedding planner, taking classes, and writing a graphic novel?”

“You don’t have to do it all at once. But I think you should pursue this story idea. It’s so you. I’d love to see your life on the page, and Paisley would too.”

“You think other people will want to read it?”

“If you come out with the same passion you just showed me and when you taught Paisley to draw, you’ll have a following. You could visit schools and teach them about drawing expressions and how you come up with your stories. There are so many things you can do.”

“I want to do it by your side,” I said, setting my sketchbook to the side.

Finn kissed me, pushing me down onto the bed, pressing his body against mine.

We took our time, kissing and touching and slowly removing each other’s clothes until Finn was sliding inside me, his fingers interlaced with mine on either side of my head. He kept his thrusts slow and measured. I got the impression he wanted to make this last but also wanted to savor the moment.

We kissed the entire time, as if neither one of us could bear to stop. When we crested, we did it together, and it was the most connected I’d ever felt to someone. I’d bared myself to him, in more ways than one.

Afterward, he rolled to his side, his hand playing with my hair as he said, “I loved seeing all of you. You let me in; you gave flight to your dreams. Our lives won’t be perfect. We’ll run into roadblocks and stumble here and there, but we’ll have each other to pull us back on course.

“I love you,” Finn murmured to me.

“I love you too.”

“I never thought love could be the answer, but it was. I just had to meet the right person, and you changed everything. I’m not my parents. I choose my own path, and I’ll never stop fighting for you.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Aria

We checked into the Chesapeake Resort for Chris and Naomi’s wedding. I was continually impressed with how supportive Finn was of his ex and her relationship.

Paisley would be a flower girl in the wedding, and Finn was asked to play his guitar.

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