“Yeah. I should’ve known better. I spent months with her on tour.” He chortles as he reaches for the graham cracker and chocolate I have placed beside me. Holding them out, he asks, “You ready for these?”
“Yes, please.”
Pulling my stick back, I let him slide the golden-brown marshmallow off with the graham cracker and chocolate. Once they’re off, he trades the stick in my hand for the s’more in his. “Here you go, sweetness.”
Leaning in, he kisses my cheek before handing over the s’more. I’m not sure if he’s doing it for the crowd, or if that’s how he genuinely meant to greet me. My pulse picks up, and I find myself leaning into him for much longer than necessary. His lips feel warm against my cool skin, and I savor the smell of his cologne before he pulls away.
“Thanks,” I mutter, though I’m not entirely sure what I’m thanking him for, as my brain is currently in a Finn-induced fog.
“How was the rest of your day?” he asks as he places the marshmallow stick near the coals at the base of the fire.
“Honestly, it was busy. I got up early to do some designs for your record label. Then once Mom arrived, we’ve been on the go nonstop.”
A gust of wind blows through, making me shiver. Finn must notice because he pulls me close, effectively blocking the wind. “There. Is that better?” he asks as I settle against him.
“Yeah, thanks. What about you? Did you get much done in the studio?”
“Yeah, we finished a song and made some great progress on another. Just a few more tweaks, and that’ll be done as well. I think we’ve found another that we’ll perform live for the festival.”
“I can’t wait to see it. Do you know what you’re playing for Lanie’s wedding?”
His arm squeezes me tight as he whispers in my ear, “I’ve been sworn to secrecy. You’ll have to wait like everyone else to find out.”
“Seriously?” I ask in disbelief. “It’s not like I’m gonna tell anyone. Since when did Lanie get so secretive?”
“Since Sloane made us swear on our lives to keep the secret for Lanie. She’s scary when she’s mad, and I’m not about to cross her.”
“I get it.” I chuckle. But I’m usually never on the side where secrets are withheld. I’m not sure how I feel about this. “She’s a force to be reckoned with. Well, to be fair… we all are when we’re mad.”
“Good to know. Hmmmm… I think this is just about done,” he says as he pulls his delicious golden glob back from the fire. Within seconds, he has his own s’more assembled.
As he eats, we relax into one another, enjoying a casual conversation about random things throughout our day. He tells me about a bridge that’s giving them trouble, and I tell him Mable’s antics of pointing out a guy Lizzy might be interested in. I’m so lost in Finn, I don’t even notice Dad and Mable have arrived with the rest of my family out at the fire. It takes Jax breaking out his guitar to pull my attention away from the handsome man behind me.
It's an unspoken code that he’ll only play cover songs, so he doesn’t draw any unwanted attention from any passersby on the beach. He starts out with Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” in honor of Lanie and Ryan, as that’s their song. Then he moves onto “Wonderwall” by Oasis.
It gets interesting when Finn asks to borrow the guitar so Jax can take a break and eat the s’more Sloane cooked for him. At first, I thought he’d just play his favorites, but when he asks the crowd if there are any requests, Lizzy suggests “Our Song” by Taylor Swift.
Then we have our own version of karaoke, each of us taking turns to sing a song while Finn plays. When it gets to me, I decide to test his skills and ask for one of my favorites growing up. I’m certain he can’t play “Lose Yourself” by Eminem. The next thing I know, I am standing in front of my family, belting out the words, channeling Marshall Mathers from one of my dad’s favorite movies—8 Mile.
Somehow, I hit it hard and never miss a beat throughout the entire song. It’s been forever since I’ve sung along to this, but I’ll admit, I’m quite proud of myself for pulling it off.
The moment the song ends, Finn raises a brow and asks, “Can you sing this with me?”
Never being one to back down from a challenge, I simply nod and wait for the music. I love karaoke night and crush most songs.
When the beginning chords of “Shallow” by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper play, relief floods through me. I know this song and should be able to keep up.
What I’m not prepared for is how moving Finn’s voice is when he starts the opening lyrics. Sitting beside him, I’m in awe of how deep his words hit my soul. They take me to another universe where it’s just the two of us singing to one another, rather than to the crowd around us.
I’m thankful he cues me in to my part because I am so lost in his eyes, I almost forget to join him. Taking a breath, I play my part and belt out Lady Gaga’s first verse with all my heart. Having spent years in choir, I know I can carry a tune but locking eyes with Finn, I take this song to an entirely new level. Blocking everything out and just feel the music flowing between us. I sing through my solo verse, through the bridge, and into the chorus, harmonizing with Finn like I’ve never done before. When the song ends, I just stare at Finn until my family interrupts my trance with cheers, whistles, and catcalls.
Wide eyed, Finn mutters, “Did you feel that? It was fucking phenomenal.”
All I can do is nod in agreement. I don’t know what just happened, but the connection I felt toward Finn while singing was out of this world. I’ve never sung with such emotion before in my life.
“Well, I certainly won’t be going next afterthatperformance.” Lizzy’s voice carries over the crowd, causing everyone to laugh and officially bursting the bubble between Finn and me. I burst out laughing myself when she grumbles, “Living with freaking professionals… and I didn’t even know it. How the heck do I even compete in this family? I thought karaoke would be fun… but apparently, the pressure’s on.”
From the moment Raven and I finish our last note, I’ve been dying to get her alone. If her entire family hadn’t been present, I probably would’ve kissed the living hell out of her. Our connection is so strong, I nearly forget they’re even around until cheers erupt.
