Karoline, surprisingly, remains silent.
While Finley bickers back and forth with everyone, defending his efforts while also defending my reluctance, my phone buzzes in my lap. I pick it up and see a text from Karoline.
Are you okay? Do you want to escape to the bathroom with me?
That’s… oddly kind of her to offer.
I think I’m okay for now. But the offer is kind of you, and I appreciate it.
Though I am thankful, I have to ride this out. If I leave, it will look suspicious. I’m stable enough right now, and I trust everyone at this table has my best interests at heart.
“She will say yes to me if and when she pleases. There is no rush. She is in charge of her timeline, and I will not disrespect her needs.” Finley claps his hands together to end the discussion, and while I had tuned most of it out, I caught that last part, and…
Huh?
Did he just…?
What?
I stare at him, my jaw open and head tilted as I analyze the man sitting next tome. How in the history of this world does he read me so easily? And the pure respect and intentionality rolling in waves off his speech and actions…
Be still my heart.
Is this what security is supposed to feel like?
“How about a camping trip this weekend?” Mason says, yanking me from my thoughts. Immediately I want to shout that I’m in, but I have to contain myself. See who all is on board first.
“Oh, yes. Let’s do it!” Karoline says.
“I’m a no,” Lucy replies. “But my sister loves camping. Especially when there is a hike involved.”
“I’m down to go,” Finley casually says, his thigh rubbing against mine. I can feel the heat through his slacks, and though I should want to shy away from the feeling, though it should feel icky…
I don’t move.
In fact, I forget we are talking about a hiking trip.
I’m so tuned into this feeling—heat mixed with tingling pleasure—that I startle when everyone begins to stand from the table.
“Great. Finley and I will pick you two up from your apartments Friday morning. Sound good?” Mason looks at Karoline and then me.
“Huh?” I respond. “Erm, yes?”
“See you then! We are about to head out. Traveling to Nashville this evening for a show tomorrow.” Mason wraps his arm around Karoline as she gathers their empty paper plates. “Happy Easter,everyone.”
We all say our goodbyes to the couple, then minutes later, Lucy, wearing an enigmatic expression, decides to leave. Without even giving a reason.
What is going on with her? She’s acting all out of sorts lately.
But then I watch as Gabriel excuses himself from the table of old men and follows Lucy out.
Huh?
Maybe she’s got something going on with him.
Hadley and Braxton leave the table to go and socialize with his sister and brother-in-law, leaving me, Grandma Netty, and Finley at the table. And then it hits me: I’m going camping this weekend with Finley. My legs immediately vibrate at the thought of stretching them out, touching dirt, surrounding myself with trees and plants, and soaking in the mid-March sunlight. But I’ll be with Karoline and Mason and Finley. None of whom I am super close with. Will I be able to handle that?
I think I could…
