“You must be Emma,” Richie said, breaking the awkward moment as he stood up and walked over to me. “I’m Richie. It’s nice to finallymeetyou.”
“Hello,” I said, shakinghishand.
“I believe athank youis in order,”hesaid.
“Athankyou?”
“Well, when you were setting Finn up with Martin, I managed to hook myself into the deal. Now we both have a newagent.”
“Oh. I…” I glanced nervously at Finn, but he had yet to meet my eye. I wasn’t sure how he had taken my meddling into his professional life. Jake really was the driving force anyway, as Martin was his agent. “I really didn’t have much to do with it. Jake wanted him for a video, so he’s probably the one tothank.”
“Well, I’d love to thank him in person. Anytime. You just set it up,” Richie said, laughing. “Anyway, we’re both real grateful – aren’twe,Finn?”
I smiled at Richie, thankful for his attempt to lighten the mood. My eyes settled back on my reason forcoming.
“Um… Finn, can I talk to you for a minute? I know you’re busy, so I promise to make itquick.”
He didn’t reply, nor did he make a move to get off the chair. The knots in my stomach started double tying. I hadn’t planned for such a scenario, and now I wasn’t exactly sure what to do. Begging seemed the best option. “Please?”
Finn, his eyes still averted, sat for a moment, clearly contemplating his next move. Suddenly he rose from the table and walked in my direction, but instead of stopping in front of me, he just brushed past, heading for the front door. Richie provided me with a sympathetic nod as I turned tofollowhim.
Once we were both outside, Finn shut the door and turned to me, arms crossed in front of him, and waited impatiently for me tospeak.
“Hi,” I said, in barely more than awhisper.
“That’s what you came here to say?” he challenged, his tone short and unemotional. I’d hurt him, and he clearly wasn’t in any mood to let me get away with it without significant repercussions. I didn’t blame him for asecond.
“No. I’m justnervous.”
“Look,” Finn sighed. “I’m grateful for the help with Martin, but I’m not interested in being friends, if that’s what you’reherefor.”
“No. I just need to talk to you realquick.”
“I think you’ve pretty much saiditall.”
“I haven’t said this.Please.”
Finn hesitated, looking back at the door. “Richie and I have some people over. This really isn’t agoodtime.”
“Are you seeing that girl? The one who answered the door? She seems nice – and protectiveofyou.”
His eyes caught mine and I saw the hurt. “Why do you evencare,Emma?”
“You know I do. Don’t insult me. And I just want the bestforyou.”
He laughed bitterly at that. “And you thinkshe’sit?”
“I don’t know.Isshe?”
“That’s none of your business,” Finn said, shaking his head. “You have twominutes.”
He took a seat on the steps and I sank downbesidehim.
“I know I hurt you, and I want to apologize. I made decisions for the both of us and didn’t give you a chance to even process what was happening before cutting you out of my life. In my warped brain, I thought it would be easier on you, but it was just mean, and I see that now and I’m sosorry.”
“I’ve heard you say you’re sorry a hundred times. I’m just over it. We could have been great, and you threw it all away. What more is theretosay?”
“I could tell you what happened in my past that made me choose not to havechildren.”
