“Thanks for the advice.”
I stop by the bathroom before heading back to the table. I take my time in there, splashing some water on my face and taking some calculated deep breaths.
Stop fucking things up, Southwick.
I’m putting too much pressure on myself. My plan is making me stray so far from who I am that even if Oakleigh were to fall in love, I’m afraid it wouldn’t be with me anyway.
Instead of being at the table where I left her, I find Oakleigh waiting for me by the front door. She’s so animated as she chats with Mickey who’s come out of the kitchen. When they spot me, Mickey’s smile widens while Oakleigh’s dims.
“I heard the food was good.” Mickey beams, pride turning his pale cheeks pink.
“Better than good, as always, Mick.” We hug each other in a way that involves a lot of claps on the back. “Thank you for going above and beyond for Lee.”
I wrap my arm around Oakleigh’s waist and drag her into my side. I give the ends of her hair a quick tug before placing my hand back on her hip. I don’t miss the way she playfully bumps said hip against me.
“Anything for Eaglewood’s new power couple. You’ve stolen the spotlight away from your sister it would seem.”
“What can I say, I need to keep Wren humble. This town is spoiling her too much.”
“Spoken like a big brother.” Oakleigh’s laugh vibrates the side of my body leaving goosebumps in its wake.
We say our goodbyes to Mickey along with the promise that we’ll be back soon before heading out to my car.
I open Cherry’s door as usual before heading over to the driver’s side, unable to rid myself of that last little bit of doubt.
ChapterSixteen
OAKLEIGH
I’ve asked Finn where we’re going five times. You want to know how many replies I’ve gotten? Zero.
I was under the impression that after dinner, Finn would drop me home and that would be that. We’d be able to allow for things to go back to normal and I wouldn’t have to acknowledge that I like the way his touches feel against my skin.
But, when we reach the intersection that either takes you left toward my town or right to the edge of Eaglewood, Finn ends up turning right.
“Finley,” I sigh, sinking into the passenger seat and crossing one leg over the other. “Can you just tell me what the fuck is happening? I’m getting anxious.”
“Please just trust me. You’ll see,” he says, an obnoxiously confident smirk on his face.
“Why can’t you just tell me?”
“Because I don’t want to.”
“I’m sorry, did you just say, ‘because I enjoy being an asshole’?”
Finn laughs loudly. “If that’s what you heard, Cherry.”
He drives carefully, the dark roads difficult to navigate. Eventually, much to my surprise, he ends up pulling into Goldleaf Farm, the pumpkin farm that Gus and Bash own and where Wren hosted my thirtieth birthday party. She even went as far as helping Gus to completely redo their barn so that they could hold the party there.
A barn that Finn helped to build for free. For me. Or, more likely, for Wren.
I notice that neither Bash’s nor Gus’s trucks are parked outside the main building, maybe because it’s currently under construction and so Gus has to do any admin work from home. From what I’ve been told, Sam came across a fuck ton of money and is helping redo certain parts of the farm as a gift to his brothers. With the help of a certain friend in construction, of course.
Finn puts the car in park and turns off the engine. When he helps me climb out, I’m grateful that the ground is actually solid dirt this time. My party last year was held during the fall, and so the majority of my visits consisted of my shoes becoming caked in dirt. But this time, there’s nothing but hard dirt and the remnants of the summer sun left behind. The breeze that drifts over my arms is mild and warm and yet I still shiver. Finn’s shirt is still tucked around my shoulders, so I pull my arms through the sleeves and push them up until my hands pop out the holes.
Finn wordlessly holds out his hand.
“Why are we here?” I ask instead of taking it.
