Page 30 of Mob Star

“A few years.”

“Did you date?”

“Never.”

“Then how’d—” She shakes her head.

“We were attracted to each other physically. We have next to nothing in common beyond that. She’s in an open relationship with a man and woman. Before you ask, yes.”

She nods. She was wondering if I’d had threesomes. That was my past before I met Thea, but I don’t feel great admitting it.

“Should I confess any parts of my past?”

She didn’t say it maliciously. But it makes my stomach churn.

“If you feel you should.”

“Before Tony and I started dating, I had a mutually beneficial arrangement too. When Tony and I first started dating, before we decided we’d see each other exclusively, he joined us a few times.”

I think I’m going to vomit.

It’s bad enough knowing the last man she was with. Knowing what she’s done with other guys feels shitty. But it’s her past, just like I have one.

“I didn’t say it to make you feel badly, Finn. I said it because it felt like the right time to tell you. I’m sure it would have come out at some point. If I didn’t say it now, you’d wonder why I kept it from you.”

“True. Maybe we can let our past stay there for a while.”

She leans over and kisses my neck before whispering to me. I love that we already have private things, like a normal couple.

“Finn, neither of us can ignore that we both have past partners. But I’m not interested in anyone but you. I’ve never met a hotter or more considerate man in my life. I’ll accept your past as long as it stays there.”

“It will. Thea, I want an us. I’m not going anywhere until you tell me to. Either to come with you or to leave you alone.”

“I’m keeping you to that. And only the first part matters. The part about wanting an us. I wonder what your favorite breakfast food is.”

Chapter Eight

Thea

The things that come out of my mouth. What’s his favorite breakfast food? Who am I?

This is moving way too fast. I’m letting myself get caught in the tidal wave that is Finn O’Rourke. He surged into my life, and I’m about to be pulled under, spun around like the rinse cycle, and probably spit out like a beached whale.

The problem is everything about being with him feels right. It was weird, then tense, when we ran into Maria and her family. Finn isn’t wrong. She is a kindhearted person, and now, realizing who her family is makes me appreciate her even more. You would never guess she comes from one of the wealthiest families in NYC. They must be. Her husband didn’t hover any more than Finn did, but it was obvious he wouldn’t take his eyes off Finn for even a second. I’m not sure if any of the men blinked during that entire brief conversation.

The other woman, Serafina— I think that’s what I heard Finn call her —remained quiet, but she was just as observant as the men. I don’t know what her story is, but she didn’t strike me as ignorant of who Finn is or the family she married into. Just the opposite. I sense she and Maria are very much alike. I know Maria’s close to her cousin Carmine, but I didn’t know he was married.

Taylor brings our drinks just as the show is about to start. I glance over my shoulder and am relieved to notice Heidi isn’t looking in our direction anymore. She’s busy making drinks, but as soon as I turn around, it’s as though eyes are boring into my back. I want to squirm, but I won’t give her that satisfaction if she is looking. It’s probably my imagination.

Finn and I are quiet as the opening act takes the stage. The guy is hilarious, but it’s the headliner that has me nearly snorting my drink a couple times. I watch her look in our direction a few times, then quickly look away. She finds some way to tease everyone else in the front row, but she studiously ignores us. Did someone tell her the owner was in the audience?

It’s just as well. After what’s happened so far tonight, I appreciate flying under the radar for a bit. It’s amazing how fast the next three hours zoom by. Finn and I hold hands for part of the show, and he has his arm draped over the back of my chair for some of it. But a lot of it has his hand resting on my thigh. He does nothing more than leave it there, but it’s enough to make me shift a few times. Each time I do, his fingers press against my inner thigh. Then he eases the pressure. He knows what he’s doing to me.

“That was great. Thanks for this, Finn. I haven’t laughed that hard in ages.”

It’s true. What’s there to laugh about? My nephew’s condition? No. The babies at work? Rarely. The shit with Tony? No. The shit with my parents? No. This felt good for my soul. I needed it.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. I heard this comic was good, but it can be a bit hit or miss, you know?”

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