“Probably.” He shrugged.
“And you’re okay with that?”
“I’mreallyokay with it.” I reached across the table and took his hand, fairly certain that would get posted on Insta, too. “I’m okay with all of it, Finn—the videos, the pictures, thecomments, the ‘local celebrity’ thing. All of it. Because none of it changes this.” I squeezed his hand.
Finn looked down at our joined hands, then back up at me. His eyes were bright—emotional maybe, or just reflecting the warm restaurant lighting. I hoped it was a good sign, but I couldn’t tell.
“I like you,” he said. “More than a little. Like . . . really . . . a lot.”
“Good. I like you, too.”
“Even though we’re trending right now?”
“Especially because of that.”
He laughed again and squeezed my hand back. “Okay. Fine. If you’re cool with it, I’m cool with it.”
“Yeah, me, too.”
“Good.” He grinned. “Because I think that kiss was even better than the one at the bar.”
“Yeah?”
“Fuck yes. It was very cinematic. The guys had a good camera angle. And damn, Mr. Sullivan, that was an A-plus performance.”
“I’ll pass your notes along to the directors.”
We finished our waters, paid the bill, waved at the boys who were watching our every movement, and walked out into the January evening.
Chapter 34
Finn
Chase pulled up in front of my apartment a little after ten. Our date had been perfect with dinner, another Instagram moment, and a lazy stroll on the Riverwalk that should’ve lasted a lifetime. Now, we were sitting in his car in comfortable silence, neither of us quite ready for the night to end.
“Thanks for dinner,” I said. “And for . . . the whole night.”
“Thank you for saying yes.” Chase smiled, his hand still resting on my leg. “I had a great time.”
“Me, too.”
We sat there for another moment, just looking at each other like idiots, neither of us quite sure what to do next.
“I should go,” I said, not moving.
“Yeah, you should,” Chase agreed, also not moving.
“Do you want to come in? Just for a minute?”
“I don’t want to intrude—”
“You’re not intruding. Come on. Just for a bit.”
Chase hesitated, then smiled. “Okay. Just for a bit.”
We got out of the car and headed up toward my apartment. I unlocked the door, pushed it open, and immediately knew I’d made a terrible mistake.
Priya was home.
