Over my dead body will I be taking my woman on a date to a dive bar.
My woman.
And when did I become your woman? You remember this isn’t real, right?
Dumbass
Don’t push me, Cherry. I will leave work right now and not think twice about making you take those words back.
My entire body stops. The air in my house disappears.
I don’t respond. How can I when my brain can’t even remember how to breathe properly?
Normal Oakleigh would tell him to fuck off. Normal Oakleigh would tell him that he’s an asshole, and normal Finn would give me a taunting laugh.
Whatever and whoever this new duo is…it’s starting to go against the rules I set for myself.
* * *
The dreaded day arrives, and I’m nothing but nerves and shakes. Finn said to let him plan everything, and being the new idiot I am, I didn’t argue. Now, I’m here waiting in my living room, my leg bouncing uncontrollably.
I made an effort for some unknown reason, most likely because it’s something that a loving girlfriend would do. That’s the role that I need to play tonight—the girl who has put aside her dislike for the boy who once upon a time made fun of her for eating her favorite pie, and has instead fallen for the man who picks her up from work at sunrise.
My hair is curled, the dirty-blonde loops falling over my shoulders. A white, cherry-print milkmaid’s dress shows off my figure and highlights my breasts.
My doorbell rings and I jump as the sounds rips me away from my thoughts. I stand up and smooth out my dress before answering the door.
Finn stands on my doorstep in a crisp, light blue button-down shirt and brown pants. In his hands is a large bouquet of flowers—an assortment of red and green. He looks really nervous; foot tapping on the ground, avoiding eye contact for too long. When his eyes do find mine, a lopsided smile spreads across his face. His gaze travels downwards at a leisurely pace, not bothering to hide any and all interest as he skates over my shoulder blades, my chest, my breasts, hips. When he sees my bare legs, he groans.
“God, Cherry.”
I fold my arms. “Problem?”
“Fuck no. Not unless you looking sensational is a problem.”
Oh.
I open my mouth to answer but he puts out a hand, stopping me.
“No arguing. Not tonight.”
He holds out the flowers and without a word, I take them from him. I motion for him to follow me inside as I head into the kitchen to find a vase.
“I’m sorry they aren’t fake flowers,” he says as he follows me. “I thought it’d be nice to get you real ones from time to time. I’ll make sure to remove them before they die so you don’t have to see it.”
Cool it, heart. Now is not the time, and this is not the man.
“Thank you,” I say, words lost to me. “This is sweet.”
He shrugs as if what he’s done is the bare minimum.
After I’ve put the flowers in water, I turn to see him kneeling down, scratching behind Ollie’s ears.
“He doesn’t normally like people, you know.” I don’t know why I tell him that.
Finn smiles down at my cat like he’s looking down at his own child. “I’m honored.”
Ollie meows as if to say, “You should be.”
