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“Damn it.”
Jewel spoke quietly. “This is Nolan.”
“He’s a friend from back home,” Finn explained.
“Are you the chef?” Nolan asked Joana.
“Gosh no. I do what I can to help, but Jewel and Sky are the real MVPs.” Jo glanced at them. “Are you hungry? The store won’t open for another hour, but we can make an exception this once.” She placed a finger on her lips. “Just don’t tell anybody.”
“Fingers crossed.” Nolan looked at Joana with heart eyes.
“Jewls? You coming?”
She scuffed her toe on the gravel. “I need to talk to Finn.”
Joana eyed him, nose wrinkled. “Yeah, sure.”
Finn shared Joana’s confusion.
Jewel had always been shy, indecisive and quiet. But not like this. The silence was heavy and oppressing. He hadn’t felt this much pressure between them since before they'd gotten closer.
Did he do something wrong??
Finn wracked his brain but couldn’t remember anything.
Jewel moved down the short flight of stairs to join him in the alley. Nolan shuffled past her and joined Joana inside.
The door slammed shut, leaving awkward silence.
Finn thought of reaching out and touching her hand, but thought better of it. Jewel didn't seem to be in the most welcoming frame of mind at the moment.
He pivoted and eyed her. “Did Kross reach out to you again?”
“No he didn't,” she replied.
Finn relaxed.
Jewel looked down to the package in his arms. “What’s that?”
Finn remembered the jewelry box that Nolan had given him and offered it up. “It’s a necklace.” He opened it and showed her. The pendant glittered in the light. “Whenever you need me, you just need to hold this really tight. I’ll show up.”
“Hmm.”
“Can I… put it on you?”
Jewel held still for a long moment. Finally, she spun and bowed her head so the back of her neck was exposed. His heart pattering unsteadily, he slid closer to her and put the chain around her throat.
When it clicked closed, he almost didn’t want to move away.
Jewel shifted in discomfort.
He stepped back immediately. “Jewls, are you sure everything’s okay? You seem…”
“What?”
“Upset.”
Jewel looked down. “Well, maybe I am.”
