“Finn,” I sigh, taking his hand, “I’m just scared. I don’t want to lose you.”
And after years of hiding behind our feelings, our friendship, Finn and I are finally letting everything come to light. No longer can we hold anything in because it might lead us to losing each other.
He squeezes my hand before cupping the back of my head and pulling me into him. “I’m all in, Grace. I want everything with you—marriage, kids, all of it. There will never be anyone else but you.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Finn
“You ready to meet the parents?” Brian asks while I’m on break.
I blow out an upward breath. “I wouldn’t say that.”
He chuckles. “Trust me, they sound more intimidating than what they are. Sure, they’re strict, but once you get to know them, they’re cool.”
“Maybe for you.” I gulp. “You fit in with them.”
Brian raises a brow. “What do you mean?”
“You have a good job.” I count the reasons on my fingers. “Come from money. College-educated.” I thrust my thumb into my chest. “Me? I threw people out of bars and come from the slums.”
He flaps his hand, dismissing my words. “You’re not just a guy who threw drunk people out of bars. You’re more than that, man. You’re a good dude. That matters more than anything. Don’t sell yourself short, Finn. I didn’t think you were like that.”
Good point.
I’ve never been self-deprecating.
But with Grace, it’s always been the issue.
She’s so damn perfect.
There will never be a day I won’t question if I deserve her.
“If all else fails, I’ll text you a list of her mom’s favorite wines,” Brian adds. “Her dad likes golf.”
I throw my head back. “Good thing I don’t know shit about golf.”
“Google it.” He flicks his finger toward the computer in front of him. “But don’t mention my man, Tiger Woods.”
“Why?”
“Her mom hates him after the whole cheating scandal.”
“Wine, golf, but not Tiger.” I snap my fingers. “Got it. Any other pointers?”
“Just stay calm and keep it cool.”
“Easier said than done.”
If there’s anything that can cheer me up, it’s coming home to Grace.
When I walk into the living room, she’s lounging on the couch with her pregnancy pillow. Her hair is wrapped into a high ponytail, her face makeup-free, and she’s wearing her fluffy purple robe.
“Hey there,” she says, shooting me a flirtatious smile.
I return the smile while moving deeper into the room and toss my keys on the coffee table. “How was your day?”
This.
It feels so domesticated.
Like something you’d see on a damn Disney sitcom.
“Good.” She yawns. “Except my feet are killing me. I thought about cutting them off a few times while the kids were at recess.”
“How about I make you dinner?” I wink. “And give my babe a little foot massage.”
She throws her arms back. “A foot massage. A vagina massage. I’ll take all the massages.”
Grace and I haven’t progressed more in the hookup department. I finger her and eat her out. She jacks me off and sucks my cock. My dick hasn’t been inside her yet, but I want to wait until she’s ready.
Honestly, until we’re ready.
Once we pass that mark, it’ll break me if I lose her.
Knowing what it’s like, being inside her, and then her leaving would kill me.
I make grilled chicken and veggies, massage every inch of her, and then she falls asleep in my arms.
“You ready for tomorrow?” Grace asks.
We’re in bed, a show playing in the background, but neither of us is watching. Our minds are focused on tomorrow.
I blow out a deep breath, sinking my head deeper into my pillow. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
Too bad I haven’t had practice for this. My dumbass never deemed it necessary in the thirty years of my life to prepare myself for meeting the parents. Eventually, I should’ve known the day would come when I met someone I wanted to get serious with.
From what I’ve learned about her parents, they’re strict but not assholes. They helped with Georgia while Cohen was busting his ass to provide for her and never judged them. They also raised Grace, who is the kindest damn soul I know.
I bet if they had to choose the perfect boyfriend for Grace in a lineup, it damn sure wouldn’t be me, though.
Here I go with the self-pity bullshit.
I’m glad we’re finally getting this over with.
Not only do I have the stress of meeting the parents, but Grace is also going to tell them she’s pregnant. I have to then lie and say I’m the father. A point against me becoming their favorite person by knocking their daughter up out of wedlock. I’m already starting off on the wrong foot, and I need to work harder to make a good first impression.
Grace turns to her side, propping her chin on my bare chest while peering up at me. “They’re going to love you, Finn.”
I tilt my head back. “Let us pray.”
She chuckles, slapping my stomach. “You know, we’ve never talked about your family before. What are they like?”
My stomach knots at the dreaded family question.
Yet another reason why I avoid meeting the parents.
They might ask about my family, and my life goal is to avoid that topic as much as possible.
I keep my head back, unable to look at her. “There’s nothing to talk about.”
She drums her fingers along my stomach. “Finn, all I know about your childhood is you’re an only child. That’s it. I know nothing about your parents.”
Sweat builds along my hairline.
I could easily lie. I’ve done it before. Make up some happy story about some single dad and happily ever after bullshit. But this is Grace, and I refuse to lie to her. That’s why instead of lying, I’ve always dodged the conversation.
No more of that.
No more hiding.
Grace knows me better than anyone and would never judge me for something I couldn’t control. She’ll never look down on me for my father’s ways.
I stare at the ceiling and reach down to run my hand through her hair. “My mom died when I was four.”
“I’m so sorry, Finn,” she says, her voice soothing. “How did she die?”
“Drug overdose.” My answer comes out strangled. “I don’t remember much about her.”
Sometimes, I hate myself for not remembering anything. The only recollection I have of my mother is from pictures my dad had before getting drunk one night and burning them.
“And your dad?” There’s no change in her tone.
The moment of truth.
For the both of us.
What I’m about to say is something I’ve never said out loud.
My muscles tighten, causing my jaw to hurt. “I’m waiting for the day I get the call that he’s dead from an overdose.”