I let out a small laugh. He’s got this easy confidence, and the way he talks—like he’s seen it all and lived to tell the tale—makes me feel like I’ve stumbled into a story that’s just beginning.
“Can I sit with you?”
I nod, feeling oddly speechless as I drink him in.
“You ever had a Pineapple Sage Fizz?” he asks, his eyes glinting with amusement as he brushes up against me. “The Hollow does it best.”
“Can’t say that I have. What’s in it?”
“A little surprise,” he says with a wink. “I’ll get you one.”
He orders the drink with a casual flick of his hand, and when it arrives, I take a sip. The burst of pineapple and the earthy taste of sage hit me first, followed by the fizz of ginger beer. It’s bold, unexpected, and refreshing in a way I didn’t think I was ready for.
“This is…” I begin, a little surprised by the boldness of the flavor. “Definitely unexpected.”
“I like to keep people on their toes,” Finn says, grinning as he watches my reaction. “The Hollow’s not a place for predictable people, trust me. Stick around, and you’ll see what I mean.”
I take another sip, watching the room around us. I feel his eyes on me, even though he’s talking to someone else. He’s not just a flirt. There’s more behind the jokes and the charm. A depth that’s lurking, waiting to be noticed.
“Finn,” I ask, still curious. “Why are you keeping your phone face down? I can hear it vibrating constantly."
He pauses, his grin faltering for just a second, before he meets my gaze. “I always do. I hate being reachable at all times,” he says quietly, a little more serious now. “People think they can just interrupt your life whenever they want. I’m not about that. I’ll check the messages when I want to.”
I nod slowly, taking in his words. There’s a quiet intensity behind his smile that’s there for the briefest of moments before he shifts back to his usual carefree demeanor.
“Fair enough,” I say, a little surprised by how real the conversation felt.
“You’re too polite,” he teases, light again. “You can relax around me, you know. I don’t bite.”
I can’t help but laugh, and suddenly, it feels easier to breathe. Maybe Finn is just the kind of distraction I need after the week I’ve had.
“Maybe I’ll take you up on that,” I reply, leaning back and feeling a little more at ease in his presence.
“You will,” Finn says, his grin widening, “and when you do, you’ll find out the real magic around here, Heartbreaker.”
“Aww, no.” Finn pouts playfully. “That bell means last call.”
“Already?”
Wow, the night has gone so fast. How the hell has that happened? I think I might have spent a little too long lost in Finn’s eyes, laughing at his jokes, letting his effortless charm pull me in.
I look around and realize the place has emptied out significantly. The low hum of conversation has died down, and only a few stragglers are left nursing their drinks, their voices quieter now, blending into the background as the clock ticks toward closing time.
“Guess we’ve kept the magic alive a little too long,” Finn says with a wicked grin, leaning back in his chair, the playful glint still dancing in his eyes. “But it’s not over yet.”
I raise an eyebrow. “What’s not over?”
He chuckles, standing up and offering me his hand with that same smooth, effortless charm.
“Walk with me,” he says. “We’re not quite done here.”
I hesitate, the buzz of the night still clinging to the air, and then, without thinking, I slip my hand into his.
Finn’s smile widens as he pulls me up, his fingers warm around mine, and I feel that electric current zip through me again, that same pull I’ve been fighting all night. There’s something about the way he looks at me, the way his hand feels in mine, that makes everything feel easy andright. It’s like we’ve both been waiting for this moment, even if we don’t know exactly what’s coming next.
We walk outside, the cool night air hitting us as soon as we step onto the quiet street. Finn’s still holding my hand, but thistime, there’s less teasing and more sizzle that makes my heart beat a little faster.
The world feels softer somehow, the streetlamps dancing on the pavement, and the trees lining the road stand still, like they’re in on the secret.
