CHAPTER 10
FINN THOMPSON
PAST-12TH APRIL 2024
Maya rests her chin on my chest as I brush my fingers through her long hair. It’s been a lazy morning spent between the sheets, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. When I’m with her, I’m usually staying out of trouble and not spending my entire bank balance at the pub. I wake up without hangovers and instead wake up to her beautiful face that has easily become my favourite sight.
Sunlight creeps through my blinds and hits Maya’s cheek, lighting up a tanned complexion and glimmering over her brown eyes. I’ve heard people say it before, but brown eyes in the sun? Heavenly.
“Should we do something today?” Maya asks.
“Do what?”
She wiggles her bare shoulders. “Go for a walk. Ooh—” She cuts herself off as she pushes her hand to the bed and sits up. “The cherry blossom trees will probably be blooming at this time of year. We should go to the Royal Park. I’ve always wanted to go.”
“Yeah?” My heart warms at her enthusiasm. “We’ll do whatever you want, sunshine.”
Maya leans forward and leaves a kiss on my lips. “Even if I wanna get cheesy photos?”
“Whatever makes you happy,” I say over her mouth. “I’d do anything for you.”
She pulls back an inch, and I admire her beauty. This woman is an angel, and despite telling myself I should not involve myself with someone, she’s reminded me time and time again that I deserve to be happy, too.
Once we’re up and dressed and headed to the Royal Park, I glance over at Maya as she squeals from her seat as we park up. “I can see them,” she gushes. “Oh my god. I know this is stupid, but they’re so beautiful. Aren’t they beautiful?”
But I’m not looking at the cherry blossom trees. I’m looking at her.
I smile at her reaction and how easily pleased she is. “Yeah, they are.”
Maya slips her hand into mine as we walk towards the parade of trees. Other people have the same idea as us, as they’re snapping pictures left, right, and centre.
She slides her phone out from her pocket and holds it in the air. “Smile,” she beams as I glance at the screen that’s aimed towards us.
I wrap my arm around her shoulder and tug her into my chest as she grins and snaps a few pictures. I twist my head to kiss her temple as she laughs softly and lowers her phone.
“They’re perfect,” she says before turning towards me. “I also wanted to ask you something.”
I brush a strand of hair behind her shoulder. “Ask away.”
“Finn…what are we?”
My forehead creases. “What are we?” I repeat as she purses her lips and nods. “You’re my girlfriend, Maya. We’re in a relationship, that’s what we are.”
Maya’s cheeks heat as she stares up at me. “We are? It’s just…we never really said it out loud, and I didn’t want to jump the gun.”
I wrap my arm around her waist and tug her towards me as she releases a breath. My fingers pinch her chin, and I force her eyes to mine.
“What do you think the last few months have been?”
“I-I don’t know,” she murmurs. “I didn’t know if you were a relationship guy. Maybe we’ve just been having fun.”
“Yes, we’ve been having fun.” I roll my thumb over the curve of her jaw, and she shudders. “And I might have thought I wasn’t a relationship guy before, but that’s because I didn’t think I was worthy of having that with someone. But you’ve taught me so much, Maya Brooke. You’ve helped me learn to accept myself, my mistakes, and you stayed regardless.”
Maya’s eyes begin to water. “Because you’re a good person, Finn. And I think you still don’t see it, but I’ll be there to show you for as long as I have to. You make me happy, you make me a better person, you’ve done so much for me.”
I rest my forehead down onto hers as I allow her words to sink in—skin deep.
“I probably should have asked you,” I confess. “I’m bad at this relationship stuff. I’ve never been in one, and I’m going to need to do a lot of learning.”
