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“I better get you home,” he says with his back toward me. I don’t know what he’s thinking, feeling.
I slide my feet into my shoes. “That’s okay. I’ll take the subway.”
“It’s too late.”
“My apartment isn’t far from the station. I’ll be fine.”
“Grab your things and I’ll meet you at the elevator.” There’s no point in arguing. He’ll only keep on insisting. Catching the subway this late isn’t appealing anyway.
“I’ll get my bag.” I dash from the room.
We make our way to the parking garage and into Finn’s car. “Still into Porsches I see?”
He shrugs with a grin. “I had a lot of great memories in one.” Then a frown flickers over his face like he remembered that they weren’t all good. Will that look ever go away? “Derek really took your parents’ estate and left you nowhere to live?” he asks.
“Yes. He took everything. Even the cabin.” It hurts my heart to know I’ll never see that house by the lake again. All because my father couldn’t stop his gambling addiction, which led to Derek getting the properties.
Finn’s fingers grip around the steering wheel. “I’m sorry. We—youloved that cabin.” He clears his throat. “Where am I taking you?”
I tell him and he punches the address into his GPS. I knowweboth loved that place. Like everything else, our times at the cabin are now just memories.
He pulls out of the garage and navigates through the busy streets. Finn puts the radio onto a rock station, and heavy guitar sounds fill the car. I guess he’s done talking. There’s a lot to process.
When we pull up to my red brick townhouse, Finn says nothing about the run-down building. To me, living in this apartment without Derek is better than thousands of mansions.
“Would you like to come in for a coffee?” I fiddle with the strap of my bag. When he hesitates, I add, “Just coffee. Nothing more. We’re friends.” I’m not ready for the night to end. Not when the hate from his eyes has gone.
“Sure.” I’m so happy he seems to not want the night to end either.
We make our way inside the apartment and find Alyssa sitting on the sofa with her leg propped on the coffee table, a bag of ice covering her ankle. “Hey, Harper—oh…” She forms an O with her mouth when Finn steps out from behind me.
I try to communicate to her with my eyes and fierce expressions. Warning her not to say anything that might embarrass me. “Alyssa, this is Finn Alessi. Finn, this is my roommate and friend, Alyssa Martinez.”
“Nice to meet you,” Finn says.
“Likewise.” She smiles brightly.
Before she can say anything else, I point to her leg. “What happened?”
“I rolled my ankle in class tonight. Nothing too serious. The ice should help.”
“If you need anything, let me know.” I turn to Finn. “Alyssa is an amazing dancer. She’s been auditioning for Broadway.”
“Impressive. Have you been in anything I might have seen?” he asks with genuine interest.
Alyssa pulls a face. “Nothing yet. The rejections suck.”
“Hopefully, that will change for you.”
Alyssa smiles. “Thanks.” She turns her attention to me. “I’ll leave and go to my room.” She shuffles to the edge of the sofa, preparing to rise.
I hold out my hand to stop her. “No, don’t move. You need to keep icing your ankle and stay off it as long as possible.”
“That’s okay, I can do this in my room.” She gets to her feet and winces as she puts pressure on her ankle.
“Here, let me help you.” Finn rushes to her, placing a supporting arm around her waist. “Where to?”
She points to her bedroom door. As they head that way, Alyssa turns her head over her shoulder, away from Finn.He’s hot!she mouths.
