But damn, she really wanted Finn. Who else would dive off that cliff with her?
She wouldn’t blame him for saying no. That night, their last night together, something inside her broke. Not in a bad way. It was the crunchy shell she’d coated herself in, swearing to never let a man get to her again. What remained was stronger, yet more sensitive as yearning had flooded in.
The thing was, Nate had never gotten to her like that. No one had. Finn burrowed right in, as if he’d always belonged there. Only weeks away from meeting as teenagers, befriending the same gentle soul, then living within a few five miles for much of their adult lives, the dream of him already stirring something inside her.
The afternoon sun was toasty, but the breeze brought in a welcome relief from the August heatwave that had settled over Foothills the last few days. Standing in the middle of the field, Haley had nothing to do but wait. And hope.
The sun at his back, his walk powerful, purposeful, Finn strode across the field, meeting her at the fifty-yard line. His cowlick had completely taken over from the long trip across the country, his t-shirt wrinkled, his shorts rumpled. But his smile, all hesitant and sweet and curious, fired right at her like Cupid’s arrow.
Stopping a few yards away, he ran his fingers through his hair before settling his hands on his hips. “I’m really, really sorry for stepping on your toes and calling your lawyer without your permission.”
“Are you?” She put her hands on her hips, cocking one out and raising her eyebrows.
Grinning, he shook his head. “Okay, I’m not sorry for making that asshole sweat, but I am sorry for not asking your permission. I knew you’d say no, and I wanted you to know your people had your back, whether you needed anyone or not.”
“I would be mad, but I was so angry with Nate that I was taking it out on myself. By the way, my lawyer is hoping you’ll send an autographed photo. And he was pretty impressed with your grace under pressure.”
Finn’s feet held firm to the ground, but his shoulders relaxed. “Grady says you guys went out and raised hell in San Francisco after.”
“Yes. Pippa knows how to plan quite the night out.”
“Did she take you to that club she’d found? She was practically bouncing on the plane, convincing everyone to go once she found out it served virgin cocktails.”
“I was sorry to disappoint her, but I really didn’t want to go to a club without a decent dance partner.”
Finn stepped closer, his hands reached out and traced along her bare arms. Fluidly, she completed the connection, resting her palms against his abdomen. “I’m not one for club life, but I’d love to take you dancing.”
She grinned. “How about we try out a few moves at home instead?”
Chuckling, he nodded. “I can go with that. If it doesn’t break any rebound rules.”
“I had a good talk with Trace.”
“Okay.” He said, freezing in place.
“I’m going to get scared now and again. Of us. After ten years of not knowing what it felt like, not realizing how things could and should be, it’s going to take me a while to get used to it, and I’m going to mess up sometimes.”
He hesitated, as if he’d heard her wrong. “Haley, I know we promised to not make any promises. But I made a mistake. I promise to never, ever take you for granted, or make you feel anything less than remarkable. And if you ever feel like that’s not happening, please kick my ass.” He slipped his arms around her waist. “And I know you didn’t want more than a summer fling. I’m sorry, but I accidentally fell in love with you and don’t want to give you up. Not now, not ever.”
The corner of her mouth quirked up, irretrievably snatched on a fisherman’s hook.
Leaning down, he brushed his lips over hers in a possessive kiss. Resting his forehead against hers, he whispered. “Tell me you love me.”
She shook her head. “Not yet.” Adrenaline pumped through her veins, warming her from the inside out.
“What?” he yanked her hips against his, grinning.
“Whatever you decide, I’m with you. If you want to live in Minneapolis and coach, I’ll be there. If you decide to be on TV, I’m there for you. Not because you need it, or because I am sacrificing my happiness for yours, but because I can work anywhere, and because you empower me to beme. And I want to be with you.”
Kissing her again, he said, “But what doyouwant?”
“I want you. I want to keep posting my stupid vlog and take the risk. I want to finish your dad’s man cave because it will be fun and I like your family.”
“It’s not an exciting place, but would you be okay with living in Foothills for the rest of your life? With marrying a washed-up, football-player-turned-bartender?” The insecurity in his gaze could break her heart all on its own.
“Only if he sneaks into our bedroom every night and snuggles until dawn.”
“Now tell me you love me?”
