The tattoo on his left arm was visible now, something dark and intricate like wings or feathers, covering scarring on his upper arm. He took a gulp from his water bottle and waited for my response, copper eyes studying me with an intensity that made my stomach flip.
“It’s not that cold if you’re used to it,” I fought to keep my voice level as his gaze blazed an obvious trail down my body and back up. The look wasn’t just casual appreciation. It was hungry, interested, and made me hyperaware of every curve, every inch of skin the bikini revealed. Heat pooled in my belly.
“Just get back from a run?” I forced myself to ask, needing to fill the silence before I did something stupid. I was middling at small talk on a good day, and right now my brain was short-circuiting.
“Yeah.” He scanned the yard, and I could feel the exact moment his attention shifted away from me. “Alex up yet?”
My face burned. Why was he so obsessed with meeting Alex? Why did it matter so much to him? And why did hearing him ask about “Alex” while I was sitting right here make my chest feel tight and hollow?
“Couldn’t say,” I ground out, sitting up abruptly and taking another sip of coffee. “Already gone, probably. More important things to do.”
Finn snorted, and it was all I could do not to roll my eyes. He was certainly more arrogant when he wasn’t practically dying from the effects of his traumatic brain injury. The dismissive sound made anger spike through me.
I knew all about his accident. When Enzo told me about everything Finn had been through, my heart had actually ached over him losing his career and dealing with the aftermath of such a traumatic accident. Maybe part of me still felt that way, but his obvious problem with “Alex” was starting to override my sympathy.
What had I ever done to him? I’d dropped everything to help Dom and Enzo with their party. I’d taken care of him personally when he was barely keeping it together last night. I’d been nothing but kind, and he was standing here asking about “Alex” like he couldn’t wait to tear into someone he’d never even met.
The more I sat there looking at him through my sunglasses, the angrier I got. It must have shown on my face when he turned back to me.
“You alright?” His brow wrinkled, and for a moment he looked genuinely concerned.
“You’re blocking the sun,” I snapped before turning and settling back in the lounger, closing my eyes so I wouldn’t have to look at him or his perfect, Alex-hating face.
He stood there a moment longer, his presence like a weight, before I heard his footsteps retreating toward the house. Good. Let him go find someone else to judge.
Chapter4
A Pilot’s Field Guide to Romantic Self-Sabotage
Finn
I made my way back to the house, my jaw tight with frustration. The cool interior was a relief from the harsh morning sun and the pressure building at the base of my skull—either from the brightness or from whatever the hell had just happened by the pool.
One minute she’d been looking at me like—well, like she was interested. The moment I’d mentioned Alex, she’d gone arctic. I replayed the conversation, trying to figure out exactly where I’d stepped wrong. All I’d done was ask about one of my brother’s friends.
A friend who was apparently involved in all their lives but was conveniently never around when I was.
Camila was working at the stove, the sizzle of eggs and the warm scent of breakfast filling the kitchen. I leaned against the island, grateful for the solid surface, and pulled out my phone.
It buzzed in my hand.
Lou:How was the fancy Hollywood engagement party? Didyou survive all that glitz and glamour?
I found myself smiling despite my headache. I pressed the microphone icon to respond via talk to text.
Me:Survived. Barely. You know how I am with crowds
Lou:Oh honey, I know exactly how you areAre you taking care of yourself? Getting enough sleep? I worry about you in that crazy city.
The sound ofCamila humming softly behind me mixed with the gentle bubbling of whatever she was preparing. Through the open patio doors, I could see Dom and Enzo’s other guest still stretched out by the pool—hat pulled low.
Me:I’m fine. Dom and Enzo are making sure I don’t do anything stupid unfortunately
Lou:LOL good. Though I bet you’re still trying. Some things never change, Finnigan Walker.
I smiled at her use of my full name, a habit from our youth she’d picked up whenever she was exasperated with me.
Me:Says the woman who tried to fix the ice machine by herself the other week
