Page 37 of Mob Star

Me

It’s not necessary.

Finn

I know. That’s what makes it spoiling.

I don’t feel like he’s trying to impress me or even buy my— affection —or whatever. I think he genuinely wants me to have a good time here. I wonder if gift giving is his love language. Or maybe this falls under acts of service.

Me

You’re very sweet did you know that?

Finn

Only my mom says that. And she has to. She’s my mom.

Me

Well she’s right

He sends me the emoji with the heart eyes, and I giggle. I look toward the bedroom door, and I’m tempted to invite him up. The other bedrooms are across a sitting area. Kimmy and Terry would never know.

Finn

I hope I didn’t overstep tonight I didn’t make it weird with your friend did I?

Me

No. I appreciate what you did. She understood. She even pointed it out.

It’s too soon to really call us a couple or say that we’re dating. He’s not my boyfriend, yet we’ve said we don’t want to be with anyone else. I guess that makes him that. I don’t know. I don’t know what to make of most of this, but I’ll go along. When you’re in a rip tide, you don’t fight it. You swim parallel.

Finn

I have to go. There’s a problem on the floor that I need to deal with. Sleep well little one

Me

You too.

Again, I have to keep myself from typing the word that comes to mind. But it’s on the tip of my tongue every time I think about him. What would he say if I called him what I’m thinking?

Chapter Nine

Finn

Last night was as unexpected as everything has been since meeting Thea. I was in the security room, watching the screens because one of my dealers reported someone was possibly slipping cards in at one of the poker tables. I recognized Thea as soon as I saw her. It was the same time the guy sat down next to her. I watched him, not wanting to cause a scene if I didn’t have to. But I radioed Todd to get closer. When he told me the guy was trying to brush up against her, I decided I would deal with it personally. So, I did.

I got to Dillan’s this morning after I scheduled breakfast to go up to her suite. She’s probably just waking up since it’s not even nine yet. I made sure she knows check out at eleven doesn’t apply to her. They can stay as long as they like, and everything is comped.

“Finn?”

“Yeah. I’m here. Where are you?”

I can hear Dillan, but his new house is fucking huge. They’ve furnished most of it, but it’s still empty enough that sound echoes in some parts.

“We’re in the sunroom. Grab something to eat and join us.”

---