Page 61 of Diverge

Chapter Nineteen

Billie

One Month Later

Ibreathe in the saltyocean air as I sit across Finn at our favourite bar, drinking our beers. I’ve never felt freer in my life. He smiles at me as his eyes dance with pride.

“I did it...I’m free.” I beam.

He chuckles as he places his hand on top of mine, leaning forward. “Told you that you had it in you.” He winks and gives me that heart-stopping smirk. “How’s your research coming along? Do you need my help with anything?”

“It’s coming along. I’ve got my business name set up and am slowly beginning to find clients who want to work with me.” I take a sip of my beer. “But you know what the best part is?” I pause to give a dramatic effect, Finn hanging on the last bit of my sentence.

“A couple of the clients I was working with left Fiona and want to work with me.” I squeal, still not truly believing it myself.

Finn laughs as he leans back into his chair.

“As they should.” He smiles, but that smile quickly fades as something else crosses his mind. I wait for a minute to see if he will share it with me.

“B, I have to tell you something.” My heart picks up speed at those words, the words no one wants to hear.

Shit, did he do something?

Did I do something?

Sighing, his eyes meet mine, and I can’t decipher the look on his face. It’s somewhat tinged with sadness or maybe regret?

“I’ve been wanting to tell you since I came back, but there was never a good time.” We’re interrupted by his phone ringing as I glance at it on the table. I notice Grace is calling. Fuck, we’re late for her rehearsal dinner. Grace and Michael decided they didn’t want to wait, after all. They had waited long enough to realise they were supposed to be together, so they decided to get married a month after being engaged. Finn answers his phone as we both grab our jackets and make our way to the car. He promises her we are on our way, then hangs up and opens the passenger door for me.

“I guess it’ll have to wait a little longer,” he says as he kisses me on the cheek.

We begin driving the short distance to the restaurant. Stealing a glance at Finn, I notice for the first time since he’s been back that he’s lost a bit of weight. Maybe he just hasn’t been working out as much because we’ve been together all the time. He catches me staring and smirks as he places his hand on my thigh.

“The suspense is eating me alive,” I confess.

“What do you need to tell me?” Turning into the street of the restaurant, he parks the car and turns to me.

“Not here, Billie.” Lifting my hand up to his lips, he places a soft kiss on my knuckles. “I promise I will tell you, but not now.”

We walk inside the restaurant, and I spot Grace in her beautiful lacy pink dress. Smiling, I leave Finn to talk with Mr. Mackenzie and walk over to her to give her a big hug.

“I can't believe you’re getting married next week, Gracie.” She holds back tears and hugs me again.

“I know, I can’t either.” She sniffles as Michael walks up to her and takes her hand in his.

“You need to forgive this one. She’s been emotional since the engagement party,” he says with a chuckle as he wipes a tear off Grace’s cheek.

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