Page 88 of Give Me a Reason

“Well, you better not be thinking of anyone else. We’re together, and you won’t be able to get rid of me easily.” He wrapped me in his arms until the water heated, and then we stepped inside. We both had to get to work, so we took turns soaping each other, and then he asked, “Can I wash your hair?”

“Sure.”

“I’m sure this isn’t the shampoo you’re used to, but you can bring over whatever you use. I want you to stay here often.”

“Are you sure?” I asked as I turned so he could soap my hair.

He kissed my shoulder before lifting my hair and shampooing it. “Positive.”

“What about Paisley?”

“I’ll tell her about us. I don’t see the point in keeping it a secret. Naomi will be happy for me.”

I relaxed into his touch. His fingers felt amazing against my scalp, and I loved the feel of his chest against my back. I wanted to believe in him. I wanted to lean on him. I wanted this to be the real deal. I’d always held out hope for a love like my parents’, and maybe I’d finally found it. Even if Finn was an unlikely person.

I just had to trust him when he said he was in this for real. That I was an exception for him. I so badly wanted that to be the case.

He turned me and let the water clean the suds out of my hair.

“What about Ireland?” I asked.

“We can tell her too.”

“You want to do that together?”

His expression was thoughtful as he said, “Maybe I should do it myself. We have a special relationship.”

“I’m fine with that.” I lifted my hair, heavy with water, to ensure no more soap was stuck in the strands.

Finn’s gaze dropped to my nipples. “I wish we had more time.”

“Me too,” I said as his mouth closed around one nipple. I dropped my hair to hold him to me, my fingers in his wet hair.

“I’ll never get enough of you,” he said as he reluctantly lifted his head.

“That’s the idea,” I said with an impish grin.

“Grab a towel while I do my hair really quick,” he said with a kiss.

I stepped out, wrapping myself in one of his large, fluffy towels. He never flaunted his wealth, but I got the impression he bought the best of everything. There was nothing wrong with spoiling yourself if you had the means to do it.

As I dried off, I wondered if I should call the local college and see if there were any possibilities open to me. Maybe I could take some business classes. I wanted to be more like Gia. I’d watched how she interacted with vendors and negotiated favorable deals.

For the first time, I saw myself as something more than just a girl from a trailer park. I could own a business one day like Gia. Or I could pursue teaching. I could be anything I wanted.

Hope bloomed in my chest as I got dressed in yesterday’s clothes. I’d need to stop at home and change quickly, but I was excited about all the possibilities. I was in love, and for the first time, I was truly happy. I’d done something just for myself, and just maybe, I’d get to keep him.

The next few weeks were almost blissful. I went to work, researched classes at the local college, and saw Finn every chance I got. He was affectionate and sweet. For a guy who didn’t think he could be in a relationship, he was the perfect boyfriend.

We still needed to talk to Ireland about us. He’d said he wanted to talk to her, but I was starting to worry that he wouldn’t. That he had no intention of ever telling her. The thought made me feel cold all over.

I didn’t want to keep us a secret anymore. We didn’t need to sneak off at the weddings anymore, but we did every once in a while because it was exciting.

This weekend, we were working a wedding. Gia put Ireland and me in charge. It would have been better if it was just me, but I figured it was baby steps in the right direction. Gia didn’t trust easily. She had a hard time letting go of the control.

I understood that. Happily Ever Afters was her baby.

After Finn’s first set, he grabbed a drink from the bar and grabbed my hand to tug me into a nearby closet.

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