I nod, because of course I will.
I’ve never been called an endearment before, and the gentle way sweetheart leaves his lips makes my chest flutter every time. He says it with such sincerity. It never sounds fake or corny.
While Finn digs through his drawers to find something for me to wear, I move around the apartment, taking everything in. There are boxes stacked in the corner, filled with clothes and books. I lean over to get a peek in the boxes.
You can tell a lot about a man by his reading selection. I notice some spy thrillers, a couple of biographies, and a few romance novels. Then I spot the holy grail of book nerds, his kindle. Even I know that you never go into another person's kindle, but dang, the secrets that thing must keep. The only thing that looks out of place in the cardboard box is a doll. A very well loved doll.
“Sorry, the rest of my things came today and I haven’t had time to fully unpack. Luckily, I didn't have much,” he says, lips curled down.
He hands me an extra large shirt and a pair of basketball shorts. I raise my eyebrow at him.
He laughs, “it’s all I have that will hopefully fit you.”
I fold the shorts over a few times at the top and slide the shirt on. Aha, this will work. Finn goes back to the dresser and pulls out sweats and a shirt for himself. I walk over to some framed artwork sitting in the corner.
Wow, this is beautiful. The top one is a charcoal gray drawing of a man’s back, muscles all defined, stopping just below the start of his ass-crack.
“Did you draw this?” I ask over my shoulder.
I sense Finn before he wraps his arms around me. “Yes,” he breathes.
“This is amazing. You are really talented, Finn.” It should hang in a gallery. It’s that good. “Can I?” I ask, pointing to the others.
Finn hesitates for a moment. “Yes.”
I move through the different drawings, stopping for a moment at one of the sunset over a beach. It’s in full color, the reds, orange and yellows pop against the crystal blue waters. This must be of back home.
Finn starts to fidget behind me, worrying his bottom lip and ringing his hands together until his knuckles are white.
Maybe I’m making him uncomfortable. Here I am, going through his personal things like a noisy bastard. He is just so good, though; I can’t help it. I only want to see one more, then I’ll stop.
I move to the next drawing, placing it in the front, and my heart pauses for a beat as an audible gasp leaves me. Staring back at me are the most beautiful green eyes belonging to the most beautiful little girl with the brightest smile, holding the same doll from the box.Oh, be still my beating heart.
“Who is this, Finn?” I turn just in time to see a tear fall from his cheek and my heart sinks. I don’t know this little girl and already my heart breaks for her,for him.
“That's Jacqueline… She was my sister.”
The gut wrenching torment across his face is enough for me to, without even thinking, close the distance between us. I tuck my face into his chest and wrap my arms as tight as I can around him.
“I’m so sorry.”
A sob leaves his chest as his shoulders begin to shake, and I hold him tighter.
“Shh… It’s okay, we don’t have to talk about it.”
“No, it’s alright. Whew! I’m sorry, I’m a mess,” he says, wiping more tears away, clearly trying to gain his composure.
“Remember the other night? Me, makeup and a shit ton of tears. Now that was a mess.”
When he lets out a small laugh, the knot in my chest loosens.
“I want to tell you about her.” He steps closer, sliding his fingers with a featherlight touch across the top of the frame. “She has been hidden like a secret for far too long.”
“She’s beautiful.”
“Yeah, she really was, inside and out.”
I thread my fingers through his. “Come on, let’s sit down. I can’t wait to hear all about her.” I guide him over to the bed and throw back the covers. His sheets are soft under my skin as I place my head on the pillow and pull him next to me. Desperate for body heat, I wrap my legs and arms around him.
