I gave him a double take. “Uh, I don’t think so.”
“Why not?” he asked, but it was around more laughter.
“Fin, you’re in the height of your track season. I run off Ramen Noodle calories. There’s no way I would be that cruel to my self-esteem. I like to pretend I’m in pretty good shape.”
“I could run at your pace,” he insisted.
“Then it’s not much of a workout for you, is it?” he opened his mouth to argue that point but I cut him off. “Stop trying to spend time with me, it’s getting weird.” Which would have been totally believable if I wasn’t smiling at him.
“It’s only weird that you keep rejecting me!”
He was kind of right about that.
“Goodbye, Fin.” I finally reached the door handle and pulled. I thought I would be really excited to finally get to the door, but now I was disappointed to be leaving him. Especially now that he was being so cute….
“Wait, I’ll walk you to your car.” He started slipping on leather flip flops that were piled by the door.
“Don’t you dare!” Seriously, I had to stop this.
“But-“
“Seriously, if you even try to, I’m marking it down as overtime.”
He scowled at me as if my threat actually meant something and that’s when I realized there really was all this money in between us. I hadn’t been able to get it out of my head, but this was the heavy confirmation I was looking for. I didn’t know why he kept flirting with me, or insisting he wanted more than friendship. He didn’t. He wanted his money.
Money I didn’t have.
“Fine, Ellie,” he sighed, seeming resigned to the fact that he wasn’t getting anymore with me.
“Night Fin,” I smiled brightly at him, hoping to erase some of that bad attitude.
Instead of saying goodbye he pointed a finger at me and said, “Text me so I know you got home Ok.”
“Sure.” I took another step into the hallway.
“Ellie, I mean it. Text me or I’m coming over to make sure you got home alright,” he threatened.
“Fine,” I sighed. “I’ll text you.” Knowing this goodbye had dragged out long enough I turned on my heel and sashayed to the stairwell. I was as all poise and confidence and not once did I look back at Fin, even though my entire body was humming with awareness that he was watching me. I refused to let him see how much all his attention got to me, how my body thrummed like it was being turned on for the first time in my entire life. And not turned in the “ooh baby” way, but as in coming to life, like he brought me to life for the first time ever.
A flutter of panic rippled through my stomach when I realized this was only the middle of week two. I still had four more weeks left.
The panic subsided a little once I was safe and alone back in my own apartment. I closed and locked the door behind me, thankful for the peace and quiet once more. Tara left a million problems for me when she left, but she also solved a few too. I no longer had to deal with her for starters.
I set my backpack down and walked over to grab a glass for water. My cell phone dinged not a sEcond later and from the shot of nerves straight to my chest, I had a feeling who it might be.
I told you to text me when you got home.
Fin. Was he serious?
I was just about to.Lie.I literally just walked in the door.Not a lie.
And then I quickly added:Stop stalking me!
His response was immediate.Just protecting my assets.
I just rolled my eyes at you.
Goodnight, Eleanor Harris.
Goodnight, Finley Hunter.
