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Chapter Seven
“What are you doing here?” he repeated, staring at her with a strange expression. He looked as confused as she felt. Whatwasshe doing there? The truth was, she’d longed to be at the last place she felt truly safe…which, as it turned out, was Finn’s apartment. But why was that true? He was basically a stranger, after all.
He was still waiting for an answer and the air around them was growing thicker with tension, so she backed away, blinking herself out of the trance and clearing her throat. “I’m so sorry.” She turned to walk away from the apartment when she heard him speak.
“Blythe?” he called her name, and she spun back around to face him as if pulled by magnets.
“Yes?” she asked, her voice wavering slightly.
“Do you need me?” he asked, studying her expression with his head cocked to the side.
She shook her head, but her eyes filled with sudden, betraying tears. Without another word, Finn looked behind him. “I’m sorry,” he apologized to the woman who was struggling to get her pants back on. “We’re going to have to take a raincheck.”
“A raincheck?” she asked, disdain clearly in her voice. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Not really,” he said, his voice firm. “You need to leave.”
The woman scoffed, grabbing her clothes from the floor and casting an angry look his way. She didn’t blame her, really. How could she? Blythe had shown up unannounced and interrupted their obvious plans. She should leave, but she couldn’t move as she watched the woman stroll past Finn. “You know I won’t be back, right?” she asked with a hateful tone, though the question was filled with hope. She wanted Finn to ask her to stay. To change his mind.
He nodded, looking above her head with a stiff jaw as he responded. “Yep.”
The woman offered a feigned laugh. “Whatever.” She disappeared down the stairwell, her stomping footsteps echoing throughout the hall for what seemed like way too long.
When silence surrounded them, Blythe looked back up at Finn, in awe of what had just happened. What he’d done for her.
“You didn’t have to—”
“I know,” he confirmed, opening the door wider. “Come in.”
“Finn, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“I know that, too,” he told her. “And it’s okay. What’s going on?”
“What do you mean?”
He sat down on the arm of his couch, locking his fingers together and resting his hands on his knees. “I mean…it’s been over a month, Blythe. What are you doing here?”
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I don’t know why I came here. I didn’t know where else to go.”
“Problems with your aunt?”
“No,” she answered, surprised at just how much he remembered. She wouldn’t have been shocked if he didn’t even recognize her at all. It was one insignificant night…but he seemed to be just as drawn to her as she was to him. Maybe the night meant more to them both than she’d previously realized.
“Then what?” he asked. “Talk to me.”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s stupid.”
He stood, walking toward her slowly. “If it’s gotten you this upset, it’s not stupid.” He placed a careful hand on her arm, caressing her gently. “Are you hurt?”
“No,” she answered quickly. “No, it’s just…you’re going to think I’m ridiculous.” She bit her lip. “I guess I probably am ridiculous. I had a…I guess a fight. With a guy.”
He dropped his hand from her arm instantly, but the warm expression didn’t leave his face. “A boyfriend?”
“No. Er, well, I don’t know. I’ve only known him for two weeks. I thought he wanted to date me seriously, but I guess it wasn’t too serious for him. He was seeing someone else. Multiplesomeone elses, probably.”
“He was cheating on you?”
“He says it wasn’t cheating. I guess he just doesn’t want to be exclusive. Which…whatever, ya know? I just…I didn’t realize it.” She looked back up at him, studying his deep brown eyes and trying to judge his expression. Did he think she was ridiculous? Did he think she was being childish? Did he think she was wasting his time?
