I didn’t know how to answer that, or what he wanted me to say. Lying wasn’t an option. Clearly, they’d noticed I’d been around less. But I hadn’t expected him to call me on it.
Maybe I hadn’t expected him to care at all.
That didn’t seem fair to him. “I’m sorry. I’ve just been…caught up.”
“With sonnet guy,” he said plainly.
“Finn,” I corrected gently. Searching his expression, I didn’t see any judgment. “Yeah, I guess I’ve been a bit caught up with Finn, and I didn’t think?—”
“Well, I?—”
Neither of us got to finish that thought. A knock sounded on the front door. We both glanced at it, and then at each other. Blake glanced to where he still held my wrist before he scanned my neck. “You’re not wearing your jewelry.”
He released my hand, and I brought it to my chest. “Oh, I?—”
But the knock sounded again.
“We should get that,” Blake said, turning away from me.
My hand lingered over my collarbone. I hadn’t put my necklace and bracelet on earlier, even after my conversation with Tessa. I opted for simple stud earrings and one of my mom's old rings, but that felt wrong now.
I wanted to be the version of me I’d grown into since meeting Finn, but I didn’t want to forget who I’d been before him.
Now that Blake and I had eased the tension between us, maybe I could find a better balance.
When Blake opened the door, Finn stood on the other side. His eyes searched past Blake to find me, and his smile widened.
Blake jerked backward to make room as Finn stepped past him and came right to me.
He pulled me toward him, planting a kiss on my lips before pulling back to look me over. “You look stunning.” He beamed at me. “Absolutely gorgeous, Addison.”
I blushed, whispering a quiet thank you against his lips as he kissed me again.
When he pulled back this time, he turned to face Blake and Adam, who had joined us. He didn’t let me go, keeping his arm around me as he reached out with the other to shake both their hands.
“Sorry about that, fellas. I’m Finn. It’s nice to meet both of you. Addie talks about you all the time.”
“She does?” Blake blurted before shaking his head with a laugh. “All good things, I bet?”
Finn returned his laugh with an easy confidence I associated with his age. “She says you’re excellent brothers. Very protective, which I appreciate.” He winked down at me, and I returned his smile before facing the guys, surprised when Finn added, “For a second, I thought you might not let her leave tonight.”
Adam tensed, and Blake’s eyes narrowed.
I rolled my eyes at both of them. “Oh, stop. He’s just teasing.” I smiled up at Finn. “Sorry about the wait. I was finishing the dishes.”
“Of course, darling. Is it alright if I steal you away now?”
With another quick smile at Finn to relieve any accidental tension the two over-protective bulldogs had caused, I turned to them. I arched a brow. “Is that okay with you two?”
My tone implied arguing would have consequences, and since Adam preferred to stay as far away from my romantic and sexual life as possible, he bowed out first. “Yeah, go have fun, Addie.” He nodded at Finn. “Nice to meet you.”
“You, as well.”
Blake, who watched their exchange with an expression so impassive it clearly disturbed him, clenched his jaw when Finn turned to him.
Finn held out his hand, a smile on his face. “Blake.”
When Blake stared at his offered hand instead of taking it, I cleared my throat, pulling him out of his stupor.
