Chapter 16

Finn

W hen I walked into the brewery the next afternoon, the familiar hum of activity filled the air, mingling with the rich aroma of brewing beer. Jude was behind the bar, meticulously cleaning glasses, while Ryan was weaving through the tables with effortless grace, balancing a tray of beers with one hand while taking an order with the other. Ollie was near the back, chatting with a couple of regulars, his laughter echoing through the space.

But it was Daniel who caught my eye. He was sitting at the bar, quietly eating his shift meal, occasionally exchanging a few words with Jude. He looked up as I entered, his face breaking into a wide grin.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the man of the hour," Daniel called out.

"Hey, Daniel. How's it going?"

"Better now that you're here," he replied, patting the stool next to him. "Come, sit. What's new with you?"

I made my way to the bar and took the seat beside Daniel. Jude slid a glass of my favorite brew across the counter without me having to ask.

"Thanks, Jude," I said, lifting the glass in a small toast.

Jude smirked. "You look like you could use it. So, what's got you in such a good mood?"

Ryan joined us, setting down his tray and leaning against the bar, curiosity shining in his eyes. "A little bird told me you're seeing someone new."

I took a sip of my beer, savoring the crisp, hoppy flavor before replying. "I guess you could say I had a pretty good day yesterday."

"A pretty good day?" Daniel echoed, raising an eyebrow. "That's all you're going to tell us?"

"Come on, Finn. Give us the details," Ryan urged. "Daniel told us about the dude you met on the cruise coming back into your life. What did you tell us? That he's a hot daddy with an exceptionally large… bank account?"

I chuckled, feeling a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with the beer. "Alright, alright. I spent the night before with Alex, and yesterday afternoon, we drove to Roanoke to see one of his breweries. We talked and… you know, we talked." I felt a flush race up my neck.

"You mean you fucked like bunnies, right?" Ollie waggled his eyebrows, and I struggled not to giggle like a love-struck teenager.

Daniel clapped me on the back, his expression genuinely happy. "That's fantastic, man! I'm thrilled for you."

"Thanks, guys," I said, feeling a bit bashful under their scrutiny. "It means a lot."

As the conversation shifted to other topics, Daniel leaned closer, his voice dropping to a more private tone. "Mind if we have a quick chat, Finn?"

"Of course," I replied, following him to a quieter corner of the bar.

Daniel's usual playful demeanor was replaced with a more serious expression. "I just wanted to say how happy I am for you. Finding someone special isn't easy."

"Thanks, Daniel," I said, appreciating his sincerity. "It really isn't."

He nodded, a flicker of something vulnerable passing over his face. "You know, I've been struggling with that myself. Dating, I mean. It's tough out there. Every guy I've met has blown me off, and not in the warm and fun way."

I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "That's because you keep using those soul sucking dating apps. Delete them from your phone and meet guys the old-fashioned way. You'll find someone, Daniel. You're a great guy. It's just a matter of time."

Daniel smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I hope so. It's just... sometimes it feels like I'm always the best friend, never the leading man."

"Hey," I said firmly. "Your time will come. And when it does, he'll be lucky to have you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go to my office and work on the payroll."

"Thanks, Finn," he said, his voice a bit softer. "I really appreciate that."

I strolled through the kitchen, and when I got to my office, I sighed as I shut the door. The last couple of days had been amazing, but my work had suffered.

Sitting behind my desk, I turned on my desktop computer and opened up the payroll program. But as I tried to focus on inputting numbers and calculations, my mind kept wandering back to the magical time spent with Alex.

I couldn't believe how much we clicked, and it wasn't just a shipboard romance after all. It felt like we had known each other for years. His easy smile, his intense eyes, and his passionate words still lingered in my mind. And, of course, Alex was easily the best lover I'd ever had.

Was this it? Was this finally going to be the time that I actually fall in love? The thought both excited and terrified me. Excited because it felt like something special was happening between us, but terrified because falling in love also meant risking getting hurt.

But with Alex, it felt different. There was a deep connection that I couldn't deny. And as much as I tried to focus on my work, all I could think about was him.

I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes, letting myself relive every moment spent with him so far. Waking up with him had felt right, and the way he held me made the butterflies in my stomach go crazy. No man had ever made me feel this way before.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, so I pulled it out and as soon as I saw the text message from Alex, I grinned.

I miss you

"And I miss you too," I whispered, then tapped out a response.

When can I see you again?

A moment later, the phone rang.

"Hey Alex," I answered with a smile. "What's up?"

"Nothing," he replied. "I'm at my office at Innsbrook. I always feel like an outsider here because I usually work from home. My staff always acts like they are afraid of me, and it makes me nervous. That, and well, other things, are on my mind."

"Such as?"

"You," Alex breathed. "I can't stop thinking about you, Finn."

"I hope it's all good stuff you're thinking about." I swung my feet up on the desk, and a few papers fell to the floor. Instead of picking them up, I left them there. "I was thinking about you when you called, and yes, it was all good stuff."

Neither of us said anything for a long moment. Then Alex sighed and said, "My ex-wife Cruella was waiting for me at my house after I dropped you off."

"Did she bring her dalmatians with her?" I cracked, and it took a moment before Alex understood the joke. "You know, from 101 Dalmatians? Cruella de Vil?"

"Sorry, it's a family nickname for her," Alex sighed. "Her actual name is Miranda, and she came to me begging for money. I gave her a check, then she attempted to seduce me. I made her leave, and after she was gone, I got to thinking about you and me."

My stomach flipped when he said you and me . "Seduce you?"

Alex chuckled. "Yes, it was embarrassing. More for her than me, I suspect. But I realized something. Our marriage was purely transactional. She married me for my name and my money. I married her thinking she would make me straight, and I'd end up having kids and a picture perfect life. I never cared for her the way a man is supposed to care for his wife, and I daresay she never loved me at all. For Miranda, I was a man who could introduce her to society, to all the right places and people." Alex paused for a second. "I don't want that kind of life, and I never have."

"What do you want, Alex?"

Alex grew quiet for a moment, as if pondering his response. When he spoke again, he spoke with a newfound determination in his voice. "I want a life where I can be myself, where I can love openly and without fear. I want someone who sees me for who I truly am, not for what I can offer them. And Finn, you make me feel like that's possible. You make me feel alive in a way I never thought was attainable."

I didn't know what to say in response, so I said nothing.

"Are you still there, Finn?" Alex asked. "I'm sorry, I probably said too much. We're still getting to know each other, and I'm…"

"Alex, you have nothing to be sorry for." I stood up and began pacing around the office. "It's not like you've proposed marriage. I'm glad to hear we are on the same page, because I really like you."

"You do like me?" Alex whispered. "Because I really, really like you."

"I do, Alex," I replied, my heart pounding in my chest. "More than like you, really. I feel a connection with you I've never felt before. Being with you feels... right."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, then Alex spoke, his voice soft but sure. "Finn, would you like to go out with me tonight? Just the two of us?"

"There's nothing I'd like more."