At that exact moment, I see Alistair and his mom coming through the trees. Oh no. I could definitely do without their mother being here to witness this.
There must be some frenetic energy coming off me, because Alistair motions behind him before saying to us, Finn’s still in the water, but Mum was getting a bit cold. He ushers his mother towards the house.
Florence and Alba say nothing, giving each other a smirking, knowing look. I can’t believe I’m letting them badger me into this, but I guess I am.
Finn comes through the trees at that moment, bare-chested of course, carrying his T-shirt in one hand, his other hand holding the towel wrapped around his waist. You saw him like this at the beach all day, I remind myself. It’s just a guy in a bathing suit. What’s the big deal?
Fully committed to this now, I launch myself out of the chair and towards Finn. I have never kissed anyone first before—even if I felt like the signals were there, I couldn’t handle risking the rejection. But this is happening. He smiles at me, but it fades a little when he reads something on my face. I think he’s about to ask me what’s wrong, or what the hell is going on, but I don’t let him get the words out.
Can you trust me? I ask in a half-choke, half-whisper, when he’s close enough to hear. And then I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him.
Chapter 21
FINN
VIOLET’S MOUTH CRASHES INTO MINE, tasting like the lemon of whatever sweet beer she was drinking. I’m so gobsmacked, I have to plant my feet down harder to stop from rocking back from the force of her.
I’m trying to sort out what’s going on. There was a look of defiance on her face when she came towards me, and I’m certain she’s trying to prove something here, but—
But, I can’t string a single thought together when she melts into me.
She starts to pull away and we could leave it here, a nice, chaste little kiss, proving something I don’t understand yet.
Instinctively, I wrap a hand around her waist, pulling her closer instead. Open my mouth slightly more for her.
She makes this little gasp and fuck me I have to resist the urge to scoop her up, and drag her back to my cave like some kind of prehistoric beast. Violet makes me feel a possessiveness I’m not sure what to do with yet, other than give in to the need to have her close to me at all times.
Alba’s laugh comes across the clearing, Okay you two, we get it, you’ve made your point!
I’m not sure Violet hears her, since she doesn’t stop. This makes me smile, and she can feel that on her lips. This is what snaps her out of it—my smiling. She jumps back from me, hands in the air like she’s been caught doing something she shouldn’t be doing.
Sorry, I was—
Don’t be sorry, I say, hearing the growl in my own voice. Chill the fuck out, mate.
I was—
Tell me later, I say, reaching over to tuck the hair and the daisy, which has stayed there all evening, back securely behind her ear. Some hidden proof that I have any kind of claim on her.
She nods, dazed. Her mouth is red and swollen and—
Finn, I remind myself calmly, you’re in a bathing suit.
Right.
I wrap my arm around Violet’s shoulder, pulling her gently back in the direction of her friends.
Happy, you two? I ask and Alba looks positively fiendish. I’m a little afraid of what’s going to come out of her mouth. Florence is frowning slightly, but when her eyes meet mine, she attempts to plaster on a smile. She’s trying to be supportive, I think.
I leave Violet with her friends, but from behind me I hear Alba bark out a laugh at some comment I can’t hear.
A FEW HOURS LATER, VIOLET and I climb back into my brother’s Jeep.
Take it, Alistair had said earlier that night, handing the car keys back to me. You should keep it while you’re here. It’s impossible to get around without a car in Cape Breton.
You sure?
Aye. We’ve got Florence’s car and I can use the cruiser if I need to, Alistair had clapped me on the shoulder. Take Violet on some adventures. You should head up to Ingonish at some point.
