Page 64 of Finn Rhodes Forever

I let out a loud laugh. “I’ll get coffee started.”

* * *

We spentanother day scouring the mountain for the plant with no luck. I sent a glance over at Liv on the way back to the campsite. As she walked, her pink ponytail bounced. Wisps of bangs cascaded off her tanned cheekbones, and a smile lingered on her mouth, like she was happy and content. My blood hummed with satisfaction.

“Are you free next weekend?” Liv asked after a few minutes.

I nodded. “You want to do another camping trip?”

“It’s my turn to take you on a date.”

Mischief glittered in her eyes. I could see it right under the surface, my favorite side of Liv. Silly, mischievous, egging me on and challenging me.

“You going to take me somewhere nice?” I asked, grinning back at her. “Should I wear a suit?”

She held her smile down, trying not to laugh. “No suit necessary.” Her eyes sparkled. “You’ll see.”

I held her gaze, biting my lower lip. Oh, this was going to be fucking good. The doily museum didn’t work so now she was going to ramp it up. Anticipation rolled through my chest, filling every crack with light.

Fucking hell, being with Liv was fun. There was no one like her, no one who knew how to push my buttons like she did. No one I enjoyed bugging like her.

I shook my head, staring at her, taking in her pretty face, her big brown eyes glittering in the golden hour light. “I missed you so fucking much.”

She blinked, stunned, and for a second, I thought she’d shut down.

She didn’t, though. Her cheeks turned pink and she smiled. She pulled her delicate bottom lip into her mouth with her teeth and I watched, fascinated.

I should have kissed her this morning.

* * *

As the sunset and the temperature dropped, she retrieved my hoodie from her tent. She hadn’t given it back this morning and I hadn’t asked, and when she pulled it over her head, I couldn’t wipe the grin from my face.

She yawned for the fourth time and I nudged her. “Bedtime.”

She nodded and started to get up.

I thought about our kiss yesterday, and I couldn’t help myself anymore. “I’m coming in,” I said, leaving no room for argument.

She nodded again, hand slipping into mine and tugging. She didn’t have to pull hard. I followed her to the tent, yanking my shirt over my head as she got into her sleeping bag and I took the spot beside her. The cold didn’t affect me like it affected her.

Same as last night, she moved to her side and I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her to my chest, tucking her under my chin. My mouth brushed her temple in a quick kiss.

“Goodnight, baby.”

“Goodnight,” she whispered.

I lay there listening to her breathing even out until she fell asleep while I memorized the feel of her against me. Her warmth, her softness, the curve of her ass in her leggings. Her chest expanded and contracted under me with her breathing.

If this didn’t work, it would crush me.

25

Finn

Next Friday night,Liv’s front door swung open and I stared at her… dress. Or whatever it was. “Wow.”

“I said I’d pickyouup.” She crossed her arms.

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