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“Fuck, Finley. I’m so sorry.” He reaches across the table and takes my hand. “I had no idea.”
“How could you have?” I hate that when I meet his gaze I find pity there. Pity is the last thing I want him to feel when he looks at me. “Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like I’m some sort of victim.”
“I don’t see you as a victim, Finley. I see you as a survivor.”
Tears prick the backs of my eyes but I manage to push them down. I haven’t shared my story with many people, but usually when I do it’s always the same reaction. No one has ever acknowledged what I gained from growing up the way I did. No one except Abel.
“Thank you for saying that.”
“I mean it.” He runs his thumb along the back of my knuckles, the small, innocent gesture making me feel a hell of lot more than it probably should. “And what about your sister? Tell me about her.”
“Claire. She’s amazing. Truthfully, I don’t know where I’d be without her. She grew up a lot differently than I did. Not in the sense of rich or poor, but more that her mom had her head on straight and always put Claire first. She didn’t grow up with much, but she grew up with love. And if you ask me, that’s all you really need. To know that while the world may not revolve around you, someone’s world does. I spent years wishing I meant anything to anyone.” I stop myself from saying more. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring down the mood.” I shake my head, having trouble meeting his gaze.
“Don’t be sorry. It’s part of who you are and I want to know everything I can about you.”
“And why is that?”
“BecausejustFinley, you are the most intriguing person I think I’ve ever met.”
“Not how I would describe myself but thanks, I think.”
“I may have not known you for that long,” he starts.
“Try like five hours.” I glance up at the small clock hanging above the bar.
“Okay.” He chuckles. “I may have only known you for five hours, but in that five hours I’ve learned one very important thing.”
“And what’s that?”
“I’ve never met someone like you before. You are unapologetically you and I envy that in a way I can’t begin to explain.”
“Five hours,” I remind him.
“Five of the best hours of my life.”
Our gazes lock and there’s something behind those crisp blue eyes of his that tells me this night is far from over. Something that makes my stomach twist and my heart begin to race inside my chest. Something that makes me certain that, in this moment, we are both thinking the exact same thing but neither of us is willing to voice said thoughts.
“Two cheeseburgers and two fries.” We both jump, Abel dropping my hand when Claudia seems to appear out of nowhere, setting a plate in front of each of us. “Anything else I can get you right now?”
Recovering first, I answer, “No, this is perfect. Thank you.”
“You two enjoy.” She smiles before spinning around and walking away.
“Are you ready?”
“Ready for what?” I ask, the heaviness of our conversation evaporating in an instant when I see the playful expression he’s wearing.
“Ready for the best burger of your life of course.” He picks up his sandwich before gesturing for me to do the same.
“I should warn you, I’m very picky about my burgers,” I tease.
“Just eat.” He laughs before he tears off a huge chunk of his sandwich in one big bite.
“Okay,” I draw out playfully, picking up my own sandwich before lifting it to my lips. I get one whiff of the delicious smelling burger before I’m sinking my teeth into it.
And damn it if he isn’t right. The moment it hits my tongue I’m confident that it’s the best thing I’ve tasted in a very long time, maybe ever.
My eyes dip to his mouth and I can’t help but think,okay, maybe the second best.
