Page 64 of A Violet Obsession

I drain the pasta, mix in the sauce, and open one of the bottles of red wine Vincent had included. Wine should definitely help.

When Finn returns, having changed in the bathroom, his hair is damp, the longer strands curling over his forehead. But at least he had the decency not to put his glasses back on. A girl’s self-control only goes so far.

I place two bowls of pasta along with the wineglasses on the table.

“Nothing fancy,” I explain with a smile.

“Better than an MRE in a cave.” He smiles. “Smells great.”

Hera chirps as she approaches and begins rubbing herself against Finn’s leg.

“Why is your cat touching me?”

“She likes you.”

Finn stares suspiciously down at Hera, but after a minute he picks up his fork.

We eat in silence, warmth spreading through my muscles as I finish my glass of wine. My eyes trail over his face to his chest to his arms. I fight the urge to sigh. “You give the best hugs. I missed hugs.”

Shit, did I say that out loud?

Finn’s gaze slowly lifts from his food to me.

I should want the words back, but I don’t. A wave of pleasure washes over me, and I shiver. “I don’t think anyone hugged me after I moved to Atlanta until I found Emma again,” I admit. “Years without affectionate human contact. It can seriously fuck you up.” I nod, though I don’t know why. “I love Emma’s hugs, but yours are much better.” I giggle feeling very clever.

Why did I think this was going to be hard? I am ah-mazing at flirting. Wait until I tell Emma. She’ll be so surprised. But maybe I shouldn’t tell her it was with her brother.

Finn’s eyebrows meet between his eyes. “Lily?”

I blink, thinking fast.

Did I say any of that out loud? I don’t think I did. But why is he looking at me like that?

Nope, pretty sure I didn’t, because he wouldn’t have just said my name, right?

“I used to have the biggest crush on you. Like huge.”

What the fuck, brain? A little filter would be nice.

Oddly, I’m not upset about sharing all this with him.

Actually… I feel great. The mountains clearly agree with me.

Finn drags his thumb down the side of his wine glass. “Used to?”

It takes me a second to remember what we were talking about. “Well, yeah. Or, no.” I frown. “I mean, obviously I still have feelings for you. Duh. I mean you’re pretty freaking impressive. With the computer stuff and the badass mercenary hero stuff, even Hera likes you, and she barely likes anybody.” I blow out a long breath. “And you’re ridiculously hot.” My eyes drag over his forearms, and my tongue slicks over my lip. “When you put your glasses on, I swear my panties explode.”

Finn makes a choking sound.

“I used to be so nervous around you, but now it’s like…” I wave my hand in the air, almost knocking my empty wine glass over. “You’re just you. Which still gives me butterflies, but like, in a different way.”

Do my words sound slurred?

“Anyway, I wanted to ask you something?”

Finn tilts his head back. “Oh-kay?”

“We like each other, right? We’ve become friends. I know it’s only been like two days or something.” I purse my lips. “Forget that, it sounds terrible when I say it out loud. Let me start over.”