CHAPTER TEN

ABIGAIL

A bet.

The only reason Finn pursued me.

The notion stings, though I don't find it as easy to believe as I did earlier. Or even if I'd found out a week ago. While our relationship might've started on false pretenses, I can't pretend that everything else hasn't felt genuine.

Finn has been nothing but caring and sweet ? much more than I would've expected based on his rough looks. But as I like to warn library patrons: never judge a book by its cover. And this is exactly why. He'd upended all of my preconceived ideas about what a tatted and bearded man would be like, and despite the comparisons in looks, he's no Jax Teller from Sons of Anarchy.

Perhaps there's a reasonable explanation for everything. It's not like Michael is a reliable source. Even with the knowledge of this bet, I trust Finn infinitely more. I may even love him as crazy as it sounds.

Then what are you doing sitting here?

Grabbing my coat, I zip it up before pausing. "This is nuts," I say aloud to my empty living room. This isn't a movie; I can't just drive to Finn's house and profess my love for him. Can I?

Pulling out my phone, I pace the room while I send a video message to Ella and Saoirse, explaining the situation. "Am I crazy? Should I wait to hear his side of the story?"

Immediately, Ella replies with a slight scream as Gavin laughs in the background. "Do it! Oh my gosh, it'll be so romantic. You've always lived vicariously through books; now you can have your own fairytale ending!" Saoirse seconds the verdict with a block of thumbs up emojis. I should have guessed they'd be on board.

"Okay, I guess I'm doing this. Wish me luck." I end the message and scurry out to my car. The only thing that would make tonight perfect is if it started snowing. And if it was still Christmas. But I'll take love in January over none at all.

The streets lie deserted, though my route gets stalled at every red light. Finally, I park in Finn's driveway and wait for him to get home from the tattoo parlor. A lone porch light provides a bit of brightness to the otherwise dark night, and I settle on the top step leading to the front door. Rubbing gloved hands together, it'd be smarter to wait in my car instead of the cold weather, but how romantic is it to sit in your vehicle?

I want Finn to see me front and center when he arrives. If I were really bold, I'd run into his arms like the movies, but I'll skip that tradition. Booted feet stomp the concrete in more warming efforts, and I check the time. He should get home soon; we initially made plans tonight because his last client appointment wouldn't run super late.

What if he got arrested? The intrusive thought pushes forward. What if Michael pressed charges? It wouldn't be above him to do such a thing.

Before I can spiral down that rabbit hole, though, headlights flash and blind me for a second. The loud engine gets cut, and Finn jumps out of the car as I rise to my feet.

"Abby? What are you doing here? Are you okay?"

His concern kindles a fire in my belly that heats me from the inside out. No way this man agreed to some stupid bet to hurt me. He cares too much.

"I'm fine. I just needed to see you." Meeting him in the middle of the lawn, I wring my hands, sudden nerves tangling my tongue. "I've thought about what happened today, and while I still want to hear your story, it doesn't affect the way I feel about you. Unless, of course, this really was all a hoax…" I kind of laugh hysterically but try to rein it in. "But I don't think it was or is. You wouldn't hurt me intentionally; I truly believe that. You're the only man I've ever felt comfortable around, and that counts for a lot in my book."

Finn moves closer, arms circling my waist. "You have no idea how much that means to me, baby. Michael offered the bet weeks ago, but I turned him down because I don't play silly games. Especially not with the woman I'm falling in love with."

My eyes widen in surprise at the declaration. Well, damn. He beat me to it. "Noble of you. And I'm falling for you, too. We're kind of the fast and furious, aren't we?" I joke. The speed with which we jumped into bed to in love is lightning quick but perfect in my eyes.

"What can we say? We know what we want."

"You know what else I want?" One of his eyebrows raises in question. "For you to take me out of this cold and make love to me."

A playful grin peeks out of his bearded face before he tugs me towards the front door. "Whatever my lady commands."