Page 148 of Finn Rhodes Forever

“I think…” The words were hard to say but I shoved them out. “I want to know you, too.”

His eyes searched mine as his smile lifted. “Yeah?”

“Yep.”

His crinkled. “Great.”

Something unraveled in my chest, maybe the knots that had been tying themselves throughout this conversation. I had said the thing, and I didn’t die.

Finn’s expression of self-hatred from last night flashed in my head. He had given me everything and in return, I gave him the scraps I could spare and nothing more.

And here was Cole, trying to be a better person despite everyone’s low opinion of him. Despite fucking up so hard. The deck was stacked against him and he was still trying.

I knew what I had to do. I had to tell Finn how I felt—that I loved him. I had to go get him back.

I looked at Cole. “It’s worth something.”

He tilted his head. “What’s that?”

“That you’re proud of me.” I nodded. “It’s worth something.”

His eyes softened, Adam’s apple bobbing. “Good.”

“I have to go do something.” I stood. “But I don’t want you to leave. Are you staying in town for a bit?”

He got to his feet. “I have a hotel room. I can stay.”

“Maybe we can have dinner tomorrow.”

His mouth quirked before flattening, like he was trying not to smile too hard. “That would be great.”

I hesitated before I gave him a quick hug. He smelled like pine and citrus, masculine but warm and comforting. It felt weird hugging him because we were both awkward.

“Thanks for this,” he said, having a hard time meeting my eyes. “It meant a lot.”

I nodded once. “Dinner. Tomorrow.”

“You got it.”

I waved goodbye as I left the marina, heading up Main Street, breaking into a jog and then a run. As I ran to Elizabeth and Sam’s house, I pulled my phone out, fumbling through a Google search before I found who I was looking for.

“Hello?” the guy answered.

“Hey,” I said, breathing hard as my sneakers hit the pavement. “We don’t know each other, but my name is Olivia Morgan. I need your help.”

56

Olivia

I poundedon the front door with urgency until Sam opened it with a baffled expression.

“I need the keys,” I wheezed, catching my breath. “To the Porsche. I’m sorry to ask like this but it’s an emergency.”

He lifted an eyebrow, studying me with curiosity.

“Please, Sam.” I straightened up. “I won’t crash it, I promise. I need it. I have to go get Finn.”

He folded his arms over his chest, watching me for what felt like eternity before he smiled.

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