Page 2 of Where I Escape

A knock sounds on my office door, causing my head to turn that way. There was a time when my house was always locked up tight, with the alarm set. That was when my ex was in jail and after he was released. Now that he’s dead, and time has passed, my fear of being attacked in my home has lessened. I still lock it down at night and set the alarm, but during the day it’s a revolving door of people. I love every minute of it.

Finn peeks his head in. His chestnut hair is combed back from his face. Brown eyes crinkle slightly in the corners as a smile lights his face. He’s truly breathtaking. I let out a long, dreamy sigh before I realize what I’m doing.

“Finn!” Parker says and stands to go over to him. “Come in and tell Blair to get her ass in gear. I hate waiting for her books. I’m the worst fan of hers because I’ll torment her relentlessly until I get my fix. I’m an addict, dude, and not too proud to admit it.”

Finn chuckles and fully steps into the room. Today he’s wearing a pair of grey, plaid shorts with a white T-shirt that probably cost more than half my wardrobe. No cheap clothes for our Finn.

To date, Finn owns three very successful, and very trendy, restaurants and one nightclub. His business has grown over the years, and he works tirelessly to ensure everything runs smoothly. I’ve lost track of how many times he’s passed out on my couch watching television because he’s run himself ragged.

Finn shoves his hands into his pockets and rocks back on his heels. "I was hoping to lure Blair out for lunch. I have a new menu I'm testing at one of my restaurants and want her opinion."

Parker taps his finger on his chin as he contemplates this. Not like I’m in the room or anything. “I guess that’s okay, as long as you can get her to tell you the name of Marina's killer. She left me hanging in the last book, and I'm still pissed about it."

Finn turns to me and winks. He fucking winks, and it's all I can do not to melt in my chair. “I’ll see what I can get out of her.”

Parker claps him on the shoulder. “You’re a good man, Finn Bradley. I’ll wait for a text from you later.” He gives me one backward glance before he slips out of my office and down the stairs, no doubt heading home to see if he’s allowed back in yet.

That means I’m alone with Finn. Eve has the day off. It was ultrasound day for her. Cy and Eve are expecting their first child and found out what the sex of the baby was today. It’s a girl. I’m over the moon excited for them. But there is this small part of me that wishes I had my own child with me. The child I was robbed of many years ago.

“Blair?” Finn asks gently as he approaches my desk. I focus on him and shake my melancholy away.

“Sorry. A little lost in thought for a second there.” He smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes. Finn has always been a gentle, calming presence since he entered my life.

“Can you get away, or are you in the middle of something? I’m sorry. I should have called.”

I wave him off. “Nonsense. I always have time for you.”

Pushing back from my desk, I close my laptop then walk downstairs with Finn beside me. In my kitchen, I grab my purse and keys. Finn waits by the door for me like a perfect gentleman. That’s all he ever is. Never trying more. Never once attempting to kiss me. I want him to so badly, but then what? Would that be the end of us if he didn’t feel the same? I’d never want to lose him as a friend. He’s too important to me.

Outside, after I’ve locked up and set the alarm, Finn opens the door of his pristinely clean, white Porsche Cayenne SUV. The restaurant business is good to him, and he has no problem showing off the fruits of his labor.

The drive to the city doesn’t take long and before I realize it, we pull up in front of his newest restaurant, Bradley’s. Simply named for the man beside me.

Since it’s early, and this place doesn’t normally serve lunch, Finn didn’t have to fight for a parking spot. He had this place built in a quieter part of downtown that’s currently on its way to becoming a trendier neighborhood. Finn loves being part of the revitalization.

Before I can open my door, Finn is on my side doing it for me. I smile, thank him, and follow him as he unlocks the front door of the restaurant.

“Beck!” he calls out.

Beck rounds a corner and smiles wide when he sees us. He’s in his late twenties and listed as one of the top chefs. Finn was lucky to hire him when he did.

“Finn, Blair, so nice of you to come by. I have a huge spread for you, so I hope you brought your appetites.” On cue, Finn’s stomach growls. He slaps a hand on it over his shirt. He has a solid wall of muscle under there. He works out regularly. “I’m hungry. I can’t wait to taste everything.”

“Me, too,” I add, once I draw my gaze from Finn. “I haven’t eaten since six this morning.”

Finn turns toward me as his eyebrows furrow, no doubt analyzing what I just said. Six in the morning isn’t crazy early. He doesn’t need to know I’ve actually been up since four, when I woke from a nightmare and couldn’t get back to sleep.

Beck claps his hands together. “Perfect. Take a seat and allow me to dazzle your taste buds.”

We walk to the only table currently set, and Finn pulls out a chair for me then takes his own.

“Why were you up so early?” he asks. I didn’t think I’d be lucky enough to escape his questioning.

I shrug, trying to make it seem like it’s nothing to worry about. “Just another nightmare. No big deal.”

“Blair,” Finn says softly as he reaches for my hand to give it a gentle squeeze. “You should have called me. I would have come over.”

There was a time when I’d wake from a nightmare and call Parker. My anxiety would be so bad that I’d hide in my closet or bathtub until he got there and would help calm me. Since Brant was killed, the nightmares haven’t completely gone away, but my anxiety has lessened. Brant couldn’t get me anymore. With the help of therapy, I’ve come a long way.