Chance grunted. “Congratulations.”
“Real believable, bro.”
Aubrey chimed in, “Let’s sit outside where CJ can play, and you can tell us all about the job.”
Chance stayed quiet, staring out at the yard while I told them about the position, the guy that would be my boss, how close the building was to Richard, emphasizing how excited we were to be in the same city and be done with the long distance.
“I think it’ll be good for all of us.” I nudged Chance’s foot with mine. “It’s about time I let you guys move on with your life and stop worrying about me. I can do this. I think I need to do this.”
I left out all of my worries that I’d fail and that I’d hate it and that I’d miss them so much. I was already having a hard time breathing just imagining it.
My brother’s gaze fell on me. Worry etched in the lines around his mouth and eyes. “This is what you want?”
I swallowed around the lump in my throat. “Yes.”
Resignation slowly smoothed out his features and he nodded. “Alright. I’m gonna miss the hell out of you, but that’s all I want – for you to have everything that you want.”
“When would you move?” Aubrey asked.
“Two weeks.”
Adele
The night before I left for New York, Chance and Aubrey threw a going away party for me at their house. Richard had flown in, everyone from the office came, as well as some of Richard’s friends.
“Wow, you look amazing. Is that dress new?” Aubrey did a thrice over with her mouth hanging open.
“Is it too much?” I asked, running a hand down the front. The long dress was more daring than anything I’d ever owned. Cutouts on the sides showed a small triangle of skin and the light pink skirt was made entirely of tulle. I felt like a sexy princess.
“No, it’s perfect. Moving to New York agrees with you.”
I nodded. “To new adventures.”
We walked outside where everyone was gathered on the porch or in the yard. Twinkle lights hung all around and a long table held platters of catered food. It was the most fabulous party anyone had ever thrown for me.
I looked out at all the people, not focusing on any one person, but just enjoying the happy chatter humming through the night.
Aubrey motioned with her head to the food table. “I’m gonna grab a soda out of the cooler. Do you want anything?”
“Sparkling water?”
“You got it.”
I smiled and waved to a few people across the party. Everyone was in conversation, so I stood and waited for Aubrey.
“You look beautiful.” He appeared at my side, gaze sweeping over me with heat. All the air fled my lungs. I’d missed that voice. Rough Australian accent that was all confidence and arrogance. Missed it but hated the way it affected me.
“What are you doing here?” I whisper-screeched.
“I wanted to see you. We need to talk.”
“Now? Here?!” I glanced around for Richard and breathed a sigh of relief when I found he had his back to me.
Finn nodded and I looked him over carefully. Hair tussled like he’d been running his hands through it. He’d let his beard grow again, but it was trimmed close. Gray dress pants and a black button-down shirt that he’d rolled at the sleeves. Tennis shoes that were so him – dressed up, but not too stuffy.
Aubrey returned and handed me a water. “Finn, you made it.” They hugged and I shot a look of betrayal to my sister-in-law. “I’m so glad. It’s good to see you.”
“Good to see you too.”
Stunned and frozen in silence, I could only stand and gape at him.
Aubrey’s brows pulled together as she tried to understand my reaction. I knew the fear and anxiety I was feeling had to be obvious. My entire body was like one big nerve. Easing the awkwardness, she focused on Finn. “Chance is over there with CJ. He’ll be so glad you came.”
With a nod, Finn took the easy out. “Thanks.” His gaze flitted over me again briefly. “I’ll catch you later.”
When he was out of earshot, Aubrey wasted no time interrogating me. “What was that about?”
I couldn’t answer, so I shot my own question back. “Why is he here?”
“Chance invited him. He looks good. I think he’s finally back to his old self, or that’s what Chance says.”
I said nothing.
“Is everything okay? Did something happen between you two before I walked up?”
“No. No, of course not. I’m just surprised to see him.” My face warmed and travelled down my neck. I was going to be sweating soon in my new fancy dress.
“Have you talked to him since he left?”
“No. Why would I?”
Aubrey looked confused. “I don’t understand what’s wrong. I thought you’d be happy to see him.”
I rolled my eyes and forced myself to relax. Aubrey would never leave it alone if she thought I was upset. “It’s fine. I just wasn’t expecting him to be here.”
“I’m shocked you haven’t kept in touch. Finn is one of the first people in a long time to break through that tough shell of yours. You really let him into your life.”
“That was just forced proximity. He was a little hard to avoid.”
She shrugged. “Maybe, but you didn’t have to take him in to start with.”
“The guy needed a place to lick his wounds. Now that he’s all better, we have nothing to talk about. He’s, well, Finn McCash and I’m just me. We don’t exactly travel in the same circles.” Except he was here now, in my circle.
“You don’t give yourself enough credit. Besides, I thought you two were sort of cute together.”
“Cute together?” My face had to be beet red. Oh my God, had he said something to them? I shook my head. No, of course not. He would never. Besides, he’d likely already moved on and I was long forgotten. He hadn’t tried to contact me after the email about wanting to kiss me again which had only proven that I’d made the right choice in ignoring him.
“Well, yeah,” she whispered. “Look, Richard is great, but you and Finn – I could see it under different circumstances.”
I couldn’t spit the words out fast enough. She was crazy. “Finn and I are the worst possible match. He lives this big, crazy life where he can have any woman he wants. Parties, clubs, bars, and women everywhere begging for his attention.” I shook my head. I’d given this some thought, so I was prepared with all the ways that Finn and I were not compatible. “I could never be with someone like that.”
“You think that’s his lifestyle or you know it?”
I lifted a brow. “I know how my brother was when he played, and I’ve seen enough of Finn’s social media to need to bleach my eyes.”
“Alright, if you say so, but people change.”
I followed her line of vision to where Chance was pushing CJ on the swing, looking happier than I’d ever seen him. Chance hadn’t changed by choice. I’d pushed him into it, forcing him to grow up because I hadn’t. Maybe the only good thing that came from it was it’d brought him to Aubrey. Though I liked to think they’d have found each other regardless. They were the very definition of soul mates.