Page 29 of Finn Rhodes Forever

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“Liv, I gotta say,”Finn said as we wandered down Main Street, a tin of cookies tucked under his arm. “You sure know how to plan a date.”

My gaze met his. My stomach fluttered and I fought the urge to laugh. Despite my best efforts, it seemed like he had fun today.

I’d have to try harder next time.

“If you enjoyed today,” I told him, “you’re going toloveour next date.”

His mouth quirked. “Not so fast. It’s my turn to plan a date.”

“I like doing it,” I volleyed back, keeping my voice light.

“Liv, a strong relationship is built off equality.” He gave me a teasing, chiding look and I fought a laugh.

“Been in a lot of relationships, have you?”

He stopped walking and caught my hand, pulling me to stand in front of him. His smile dimmed but his eyes were soft. “Nope. You ruined me, but I’m not mad about it.”

My heart dipped, swooping and dropping in my chest, and I blinked at him. I wished he wouldn’t say things like that. Things that sounded so sincere.

“What about you?” he asked in a low voice, eyes on me. “Anyone serious?”

I had dated in university. It usually fizzled out with one of us getting busy with exams and then going home for the summer, or sometimes we just stopped texting each other. During the first year of my PhD program, I dated a guy in my program, Noah. We broke up at the end of the school year when he told me I wasn’t invested enough in our relationship. That it seemed like I didn’t care enough.

I guess I didn’t.

I shook my head at Finn. “I was busy with school.”

His gaze roamed my face before searching my eyes. The full weight of his attention drugged me, slowing my brain down but making my pulse race. He rubbed light strokes up and down my palm, and it was hard to concentrate. “You ever fall in love with anyone else?”

Like I was hypnotized, I shook my head.

The corner of his mouth turned up into a slight grin. “Just me then, huh?”

He tilted his head, eyes dropping to my mouth. Did he step closer? It seemed like he moved closer.

“What are you doing right now?” I whispered, eyes wide.

His lopsided grin hitched higher, but his eyes stayed locked on mine, pulling me in. “Trying to make a point.”

Clarity cut through my thoughts like a knife. Finn wouldn’t give up until he got what he wanted. He’d lure me in, pull me underwater with his thumb strokes, smirks, and tattoos, and when I resurfaced, he’d be gone. He’d get sick of me and move on to something new.

“I have to get going.” I crossed my arms over my chest and glanced down the street.

He nodded, eyes narrowed while he studied me with a little smile on his face like he had won something. “One more kiss.”

My head whipped up. “What?”

He lifted one shoulder, mouth twitching. “Yesterday was a little chaste, don’t you think? We should try again.”

“I haven’t brushed my teeth today,” I lied.

He looked like he was trying to hold back a laugh. “It’s four in the afternoon.”

“Sometimes I forget.” I never forgot.

His eyes shone with amusement. “I’ll risk it. You know, forlove.”

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