“I doubt he ever really did. Let’s just say he didn’t see me when I needed him to. Maybe he didn’t realize how his actions would impact me or if he did, he just couldn’t protect me. I guess I can’t fault his judgment when my own was so terrible.”
“What do you mean he couldn’t protect you?” Finn’s eyes darkened and he pinned me with a hard gaze that felt heavy on my skin.
I looked away, surveying the empty boxes, torn paper, and many gifts laid out on my floor. “He pissed off another dealer and I was payback. He raped and beat me to get back at Darius.”
I heard his sharp inhale and it felt like the room was devoid of air.
“It was a long time ago and not something I talk about often.”
“I’m so sorry.” His fingers found mine on the hardwood floor and just the very ends lay over the tips of my fingers in a comforting gesture.
“Thank you.” I smiled the best I could. This night had taken a turn I never could have predicted. “We’re quite a sad pair, huh?”
He didn’t smile back, which was somehow comforting. He wasn’t putting on a happy face for me.
“This is an impressive haul. What are you going to do with all of it?” I moved my hand from his and picked up a dainty champagne glass and held it up to the light. Someday at my wedding, I’d have to fill the flutes with sparkling juice or some alternative, but I’d survived and at least now I’d get one. If I’d stayed on the path I’d been on with Darius who knows where I’d be – it sure wouldn’t be living happily ever after.
“Put it all back in the boxes and donate it. Now that you can’t tell it’s the remnants of a broken relationship, someone might actually take it.”
Kitty woke up from her nap and having found the paper and bows perked right up for playtime. I picked up a ribbon and held it up for her to bat. I enjoyed how determined she was. On her third attempt, she went for my hand instead of the ribbon, clawing and biting me. It didn’t really hurt that much, but it shocked me, and I winced instinctively.
“Shit, are you okay?” Finn was beside me in a flash. He took my hand in his and inspected the small scratch. My pulse raced at his warm, gentle touch. Soft and caring.
“I’m fine. It’s just a tiny scratch.”
His thumb traced just below it. His blue eyes, the same shade as the wall behind him, bore into me. So close I could see the genuine concern and something else too – desire maybe, but that didn’t make any sense. Maybe it was the unwrapping of presents and the broken heart. All that talk about being seen. I’d blame it on my big mouth later. Because right now it felt like he saw me in a way I hadn’t been seen in years.
“Adele?”
“Hmm?”
It was only after Finn dropped my hand and stood abruptly that I realized the voice that had called my name belonged to Richard.
Awkwardly I got to my feet. Richard looked between Finn and me and then the destruction of my living room. The lines around his eyes fanned out as his brows pulled together. I didn’t know if he was upset about being woken or finally putting a face to the name. He’d made no effort to hide his dislike for the whole situation – Finn staying with me and just… Finn.
“You must be the boyfriend.” Finn extended a hand good-naturedly and some of the displeasure on Richard’s face disappeared. He was too much of a gentleman to be outright rude. I’m pretty sure Finn could tell the difference though.
“Richard, this is Finn McCash.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” Richard said, shaking Finn’s hand.
“Likewise. You’ve got a great girl.”
“Adele’s the best.”
They gripped hands for longer than I thought necessary, Finn stepping back first. “Well, I should clean this up and get to bed. Thanks for your help.”
“Uh, yeah, you’re welcome.” I stood next to Richard and he placed a hand at my hip in a decidedly uncharacteristically possessive move. I lifted my gaze to him and smiled, placed a hand on his chest reassuring him. “I’ll be right there.”
He lingered a moment longer before nodding.
When my bedroom door closed, I brought my gaze to Finn’s. His lips twisted into a half smile.
“Do you want some help boxing everything back up?”
“No, I got it. Go enjoy time with your man.”
“Alright. Well, good night, Finn.”
“’Night.” I let out a shaky breath and reached out for the door handle.
He said my name quietly. “Adele?”
“Yes?”
“I don’t know your ex, hell, I barely know you, but I know that if he didn’t see you – if he made you feel like you didn’t deserve to be seen or protected, then he was blind. I saw you the first time we met – drunker than I’ve ever been. A woman like you… she doesn’t disappear for a temporary high.”
Adele
Richard and I went out for breakfast at his favorite little café in Hermosa Beach.
“Have you given it any more thought?” he asked after we’d placed our orders.
All I’d done was think. Thoughts were overrated and I was hoping the biscuits and gravy I’d ordered with a side of cheesy grits were going to put me in a food coma that made thinking impossible.
“Yes.”
“And?” He looked so hopeful.
“It’s a big decision. Can I have a few days to think about it?”
“Of course,” he said, but then he dove right into all the amazing things about New York and us living together.
My head spun with indecision when the waitress finally delivered my food. My plan for the food coma was thwarted by a loss of appetite.
“What do you want to do today?” I asked and then an idea came to me. “Hey, let’s spend the day walking around town like tourists.”
“Actually, I need to go into the office for a few hours.” He grabbed the check. “But tonight, I was thinking we could rent a room at the Hilton, order room service, and stay in bed all night. What do you think?”
A night in with overpriced food at the touch of a button sounded amazing and I told him as much.
After breakfast, Richard went to the office and I bypassed home and went to my brother’s house instead. I might have been avoiding Finn. I needed a clear head and to only allow myself to think about Richard and the amazing proposition he’d made. Also, I needed some girl time.
“I wondered when you’d sneak over so we could talk.” Aubrey brought a plate of muffins to the table after forcing me into a chair and putting a mug filled with coffee in front of me.
“Chance gone?”
“Yeah, he took CJ to the park.”
“What did he say?”
Aubrey gave me a puzzled look.
“Don’t give me that, I know you two talked about it after we left last night.”
She smiled uneasily. “We might have chatted briefly about it.”
I raised an eyebrow and pursed my lips as I brought the mug to my lips.
“Okay fine we stayed up until two in the morning and then CJ got up an hour early so we’re both basically zombies today.”
I snorted.
“Is my brother freaking out?”