In the year I’ve known Finley, I’ve never been able to speak to her without getting tongue-tied or sounding like a complete idiot. I had this idea of her in my head, where she was too good for me. Too cool. Too pretty. But with her in my truck, opening up to me about some extremely personal parts of her life, and now in my house, making jokes and petting my dog, I’ve never felt more at ease. It’s like we’re friends, and we’ve known each other forever. It just feelsnatural.
“I think you might be right,” I say with a grin, watching as my hellion of a dog sits down and rests his head on her chest.
Lucky motherfucker.
She wraps her arms around him, eyes falling shut while she runs her fingers through his fur. “There’s nothing better than puppy cuddles. You could be having the worst day, and they somehow know exactly how to make you feel better.” Pressing a kiss to the topof his head, she looks back up at me, her gorgeous green eyes sparkling with happiness. “It’s just what I needed.”
She’s a literal angel, so beautiful and pure. Moss is the biggest idiot on the planet for letting her go, especially now that she’s growing another life inside her. It kills me to know that she’s doing it on her own, with nobody to hold her hand and tell her how amazing she is. He should be there to rub her feet and buy her ice cream or whatever else she’s craving at three in the morning. She deserves all of that and more.
“Well,” I reply quietly, “you know where he lives now. You’re welcome to come over and hug him whenever you want.”
“Thank you.” She smiles softly, standing to her feet. If she cares that her shirt is covered in dog hair and slobber, she doesn’t let on, peering down at Boner like he’s the most perfect being on Earth. He’s looking at her the same way…and so am I. How could I not?
Before I get lost in the curves of her hypnotizing features, I clear my throat, gesturing toward the kitchen. “Are you hungry? If you don’t have plans for dinner, I can cook, or we can order something. What do you like?”
Her expression falls, and she chews the inside of her cheek as she shifts her weight from one foot to the other. I can tell something is on her mind, but I have to remember that just because I’m suddenly more comfortable with her doesn’t mean she’s feeling the same. So, I do my best to reassure her that she’s safe here.
“Finley, you can talk to me. Tell me what’s bothering you, so I can help.”
She takes a deep breath, her shoulder slumping. “I’m not dumping any more of my problems onto you, Theo. I’ve already done enough of that. I’m just a little stressed about losing my job. I’ll be fine, but I definitely can’t afford takeout right now, and I don’t want you to have to cook for me.”
“First of all,” I begin, “you’re notdumping your problemsonto me. I asked you to tell me what was going on, and I’m glad you did. I don’t know your family situation, but I’d hate it if you were planning on going through everything alone. I’m aware that we don’t really know each other very well, but I’d like to think we’re friends. So, why don’t you sit down, and I’ll throw something together for us to eat? At the very least, let me feed you so you don’t get sick.”
She swallows, jerking her head in a small nod. I internally fist-pump, grateful that she’s willing to hang out with me for a little bit longer. It would be easy to pull up a delivery app and order us some dinner, but I can tell that she’s not okay with me paying, so I leave it alone. I have plenty of groceries here. I’ll just blow the dust off my cooking skills and make her something.
“How about pancakes?” I ask. Everyone loves breakfast, even at dinner time. “Maddox went to visit his mom in Connecticut last month and brought back the best maple syrup I’ve ever had in my life. You have to try it.”
“That sounds really good,” she answers quietly, a hint of a smile tugging at one corner of her mouth. Igesture to the island in the middle of the room, walking over and pulling out one of the high-back barstools for her. She tucks a strand of auburn hair behind her ear before closing the space between us and taking my offering. As soon as she’s settled with the dog by her side, I get to work, gathering the ingredients and a bowl to mix them in. I try not to be a creep, but it’s hard not to find her out of the corner of my eye and admire the way she looks in my house.
I never would’ve expected this to be how my day panned out, butfuckif I’m not happy about it. More than anything, I’m glad I was driving by when she was walking down the sidewalk, because the thought of her crying alone makes my chest ache.
I continue preparing our food while she mindlessly pets Boner. The little shit is eating it up, his fluffy tail wagging against the hardwood floors as he soaks in the attention. I can’t blame him, though. I’d be pretty happy if her fingers were tangled in my hair, too.
I narrow my eyes in his direction. “Funny how you’re a nightmare with anyone else, but act like a perfect gentleman when there’s a pretty girl around.” He tilts his head, and Finley giggles in response. The sound is like music to my ears, something I certainly never thought I’d get the chance to hear within these walls.
I bought this house in hopes that someday, I’d live in it with my family. I’ve dreamed of coming home from road trips to a beautiful woman, spending every night wrapped up in one another. I can’t say I haven’t imagined Finley in that role, because that would makeme a fucking liar. They’re just fantasies, but seeing her here makes them a bit more real. This may be the only time it ever happens, so I might as well enjoy it.
“Here you go, Mama,” I say as I set a plate in front of her, the nickname slipping from my lips before I can stop it. Cringing internally, I try to play it off becausewho fucking says that, gesturing to the stack of pancakes that I’ve covered in syrup. “I hope the baby likes them.”
Oh my God, could Ibe more awkward? I thought I was done saying stupid shit in front of her, but nope. We’re back to our regularly scheduled programming. Thankfully, she doesn’t seem put off by it, raising her hand to rest on her stomach.
“Thank you,” she replies softly. From this angle, I can just barely make out the small bump she’s been trying to hide from everyone around her. It’s adorable, and I have no doubt that she’ll only get cuter as the baby grows, but I wish she could enjoy it. Instead, she’s stressed, worrying about who’s going to hire her and how she’ll manage parenting on her own. I wish I could take it all away, but I’m not sure there’s much I can do.
We fall into a comfortable conversation as we eat, keeping things light and easy. She asks me about work and how we’re doing so far this season. Thankfully, there’s nothing bad to report, since we’re still in the preseason and haven’t had much time to mess anything up. The next two weeks are about preparation and putting our backup players in real-time situations so they’re ready if they get called on.
“Where do you play this week?” she questions, her tongue darting out to swipe at a rogue drop of syrup.My eyes catch on the motion, making me go temporarily stupid for a beat, because everything she does is so goddamn attractive. Even though I shouldn’t, I wonder what she’d taste like if I kissed her right now. Maple, I’m sure…but I imagine it’s mixed with something else. I bet it’s cherries. I always see her sneaking them at the club, so it’s only natural that her kisses would be sweet like they are. I’m lost in the daydream, unaware of the fact that I’m still staring at her mouth until the sound of my own name breaks through the fog.
“Huh?” I blurt, my gaze whipping up to find her watching me, perplexed. I really need to get my shit together. If I’m going to shoot my shot at a friendship with Finley, I can’t be gawking like a creep while wondering what her fucking lips taste like. She’ll think I’m weird, if she doesn’t already.
“Your game this weekend,” she repeats. “Is it home or away?”
Oh, yeah. That.
“Ummm, it’s away…in San Diego,” I say, sobering when I remember the problem I was dealing with on my way home today. Dragging my hands down my face, I sigh. “If I can find someone to watch Boner.”
Her brows knit tightly. “What do you mean?”
“Well, remember when I said he got kicked out of daycare?” She nods, so I continue. “That was the last place in the city that boards dogs overnight. They suggested that I get him a sitter who’d be able to come here, but I don’t really know anybody who could—” My eyes go wide as the idea hits me like a baseball batto the head. This is perfect if I can get her on board. “Would you want to do it?”
