“No, he’s allowed to. He just doesn’t do it very often.” He leans against the doorjamb with his arms crossed. “You saw him in that jail cell, all silent and brooding. Well, that’s pretty much how he is twenty-four seven. He must like you or something.”
“He barely knows me, so I doubt it.”
“You don’t seem too impressed that he might.”
I smile cheekily. “Should I swoon, like I did over you in jail? Oh, wait, I did not do that, even though you tried to get me to.”
He drags his hand across his mouth to conceal a smile. “Hell, you’re entertaining.” He lowers his hand to his side. “We have to be friends.”
I cross my arms. “Friends, huh? Why do I get the feeling you don’t have female friends?”
“Hey, that’s not true at all.”
“Really? Or are you including friends with benefits?”
He squirms ever so slightly. “Okay, maybe that’s partially true. But I don’t screw every woman I talk to.” His squirminessshifts in the blink of an eye. “Besides, there’s a first for everything, right?” He dazzles me with a grin.
And for a moment, it works on me, as my heart flutters inside my chest. But seriously, what the hell?
Stop that, you dumbass heart. You have one job, and that’s to keep me alive. Not swoon.
I shake the feeling off to the best of my ability. “I guess.”
“So, what do you say?” He legit sticks out his hand. “Friends?”
Do I want to try to be friends with him and his pretty boy looks and charm? Sure, having as many friends as possible would be nice, but Finn’s flirty vibe could become a problem.
I keep my hands at my side. “Only if you promise not to flirt with me.”
His head bobs back as he lets out a groan. “Come on, Maddison. It’s like my natural personality to flirt.”
At least he’s being honest, I guess.
“But I’ll try to tone it down with you,” he adds with his hand still outstretched.
I eye his hand. Do I dare to do it? Because it kind of feels like I’m about to make a deal with the devil. A cute devil, albeit. But still, it could be a problem.
He juts out his lip. “Pretty please?”
“Oh, whatever.” I shake his hand. “Let’s be friends, Finn.”
“It’s a deal, Maddison.” He pauses. “What’s your last name, anyway?”
“It’s Averly. And if you’re going to be my friend, call me Maddy.”
“Maddy?” he muses. “That’s cute.”
I point a finger at him. “And you’re already flirting.”
“I’m just complimenting your name.” He flashes me his pearly whites as he removes his hand from mine. “So, new friend of mine, you’re going to the party tonight, right?”
I nod. “I have to since I promised your sister I’d go with her.”
“Good. I’ll introduce you to some people.” He backs toward the doorway. “That way, you won’t have to spend this year being a loner.”
“Hey, maybe I like being a loner.”
“Do you?”
