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Chapter 15
FINLAY
I’ve been seesawing between thinking the kiss was way too soon and dreamily staring off while replaying it in my head because… I like it.
It was tender and made me feel special.
Ethan makes me feel special.
Climbing out of bed, I walk to the kitchen and pour myself some coffee before joining Dad out on the porch. I sit down and let my gaze drift over the ocean, the crisp morning air making me shiver.
“You slept well,” Dad mentions because I didn’t wake him, screaming from a nightmare.
Nodding, I take a sip of the coffee.
Dad’s gaze searches my face, then he asks, “So you and Ethan?”
My cheeks warm, and I let out an awkward chuckle. “Ah… we’ll see.”
He takes a deep breath and stares out over the scenic view. “Want to talk about it?”
I shrug, bringing my knees to my chest and pulling my sweater over my legs. “I shouldn’t go on a date, right? It’s too soon.”
Dad doesn’t take his eyes off the ocean. “If you want to go on a date, then go on a date. The only thing that matters is how you feel, Fin.”
“I’m confused,” I admit to Dad. “Part of me thinks I should be hiding and…” I let out a sigh, “I want to be a normal girl. Like I used to be.”
Dad turns his gaze to me, pinning me with a dead-serious look. “You are normal, Finlay. Just because some bastard hurt you in the worst way doesn’t mean you’re broken.”
I let out another deep sigh then give Dad a pleading look. “So it’s okay for me to feel attracted to Ethan?”
Dad reaches over and brushes his hand over my messy hair. “Sweetheart, I think it’s absolutely normal for you to second guess everything, considering what happened, but don’t start doubting yourself. You’ve always made the right decisions.”
Hearing what Dad’s saying, I wonder if that’s what I’m doing. Doubting myself.
“Let’s talk about how you feel when you’re with Ethan.”
I scrunch my nose. “Safe.”
Dad nods. “And? How did you feel when he kissed you?”
Other kids would be mortified discussing these things with a parent, but Dad raised me to be open about everything. No topic is off-limits between us.
“It felt good.” My mouth starts to lift into a smile. “He even asked my permission.”
Dad’s eyebrow shoots up. “He did?” When I nod, he grins at me. “I really like Ethan. His parents raised him right.”
Tugging my bottom lip between my teeth, I ask, “I don’t know if I should tell Ethan what happened. What if we kiss again, and I have a panic attack and ruin it all?”
Dad’s hand settles warmly behind my neck. “Only open up to Ethan when you’re ready, Fin. He’s not the kind of guy that scares easily. He saw you have a panic attack on the first day of training, and he kept coming back. I get a feeling it would take a mountain to keep him away, and then he’d still try and climb the damn thing to get to you.”
I let out a burst of laughter, already feeling better from talking with Dad about my worries.
Dad catches my eyes. “But never do anything you’re not comfortable with. I want you to be happy, sweetheart, and if Ethan can give you that, then go for it.”
“Okay.”
We go back to staring at the ocean while I drink my coffee. When my cup is empty, I get up to shower, but Dad takes hold of my hand to hold me back.
When I look down at him, he says, “Your mother would be so proud of the strong woman you’ve become, Fin. I’m proud.”
Leaning down, I press a kiss on Dad’s cheek. “Thanks, Daddy.”
I walk into the house, my heart warming at the thought of seeing Ethan again. Exhilaration and anticipation make me feel light as a feather.
And I’m hopeful.
I feel I can put the nightmare behind me and forget it ever happened.
He might’ve hurt me, but he didn’t destroy me.
After showering, I get dressed in jeans and a soft sweater. I tie my hair up in a ponytail, wrapping a light scarf around my neck, and I even swipe on some lip gloss.
Walking to the porch, I smile at Dad. “I’m going to Ethan’s.”
Dad gives me another proud look. “You have your phone on you?”
I nod and pull it out of my pocket for him to see.
“Is it charged?”
Unlocking the screen, I check. “Yep, seventy-three percent battery left.”
Dad nods. “Have fun, sweetheart.”
Lightfooted, I take the stairs down to the beach and blow Dad a kiss before walking to Ethan’s house. His place is quiet, and I wonder if he’s still sleeping.
Maybe I should text him first?
I hesitate for a moment, then walk up to his porch and knock on the front door.
“It’s open,” Ethan calls out.
Walking into the house, I glance around. Everything looks brand new, and it’s super neat. A blue leather couch that’s a couple of shades darker than the shutters faces a TV. The coffee table looks like it was made from the same wood used for the porch.
