Page 29 of Unconventionally, Elle
A dull ache spread through my chest. "So you wanted to hear from me?" I playfully pushed his shoulder and soaked up his beautiful wide smile and delicious dimples.
"Elle, I dreamed of hearing your voice." He stepped forward and cupped my face in his warm hand. "I dreamed of touching you and holding you. If I'd seen those texts, I would have..."
"You would have what?" I felt breathless and wanted to melt into his touch.
"I missed you."
My throat was tight, and tears were clouding my vision. "I missed you more."
He brought his other hand to my face and pulled me in gently to his lips. I pulled back to say something, and that's when I noticed that Jude, beautiful Jude, was crying.
22
Now
We were seated right off the fifty-yard line in Gillette Stadium. The seats were similar in location to the ones Jude and his family had in New Orleans, except outside. "I've never been to an outside stadium before," I admitted to Finn while rubbing my arms. It was a frosty forty degrees, and my nose was turning red.
"Really?" He feigned shock. "Well then, bundle up, buttercup, you're about to freeze your ass off." He laughed, showing his perfectly straight white teeth, and wrapped his arms around me. "Good thing you wore this puffer jacket. It's perfect--maybe the wrong color, but perfect."
The teams came out to warm up.
I was wearing my long black Lululemon jacket from years ago when my grandparents took me skiing. I never had to wear it living in New Orleans.
"We can just pretend it's navy blue. Deal?" I pulled my houndstooth scarf tighter around my neck. I truly forgot the team colors for the Saints were black and gold, and I didn't own another heavy-ish jacket.
Finn rolled his eyes playfully and put his arm back around me. "I've got you, Ellz. We'll make you a Bostonian yet." He wore a navy puffer with a fashionable red men's scarf. His warm skin held few imperfections, and with each exhale, a puff of fog escaped his lips.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm so glad you're my person, Finn." I rested my head on his shoulder and inhaled his cologne. God, it was good. "Finn, what are you wearing."
"It's Mind Games," he said.
Confused, I lifted my head. "No, I'm not playing games. I just want to know the name."
He furrowed his brow and looked down at me. "Right, Elle, it's called Mind Games. I get it at Neiman Marcus."
"Well, I don't feel dumb or anything." I laughed and put my head back on his shoulder. "Fuck, it's cold." I snuggled deeper into my scarf and his arm.
"Seriously, though," he said, "I'm glad you moved here. I didn't know I was missing my person until you showed up at my studio. Of course I have Jackson, but he's my partner." He squeezed my arm a little tighter. "You're you, and we're us."
"God, Finn. Stop. I'm gonna cry like a baby." I sat back up and wiped my eyes. "I love Rach and Sarah, and they are my best friends, but with you, it's soulmate, best friend, person--all of the things." His eyes glistened in the lights of the stadium, and then as if in slow motion, I saw his face change. His eyes widened and he looked at me, then back up behind me.
"Elle, oh my God, Finn! Finn, I didn't think Elle was your type!" Emma winked with a playful smirk.
Finn rolled his eyes, then said loudly, "If it isn't the Henry siblings! How the hell are ya, Emma?"
Laughing, Emma walked through the row above us and leaned over the seats to hug Finn. He glanced down at me and gave me an apologetic smile.
Oh shit. He said siblings.I stood up and turned to hug Emma. "What a surprise!" I opened my arms, and that's when I noticed Barrett standing quietly behind her. He was looking at me with a vivid blue stare that mirrored his sister's. "Barrett," I gasped.
At the sound of his name, his eyes narrowed as he tried to place me. He cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, have we met?" he asked, still looking me over.
But I remembered him, and I was mortified. No longer cold, I burned with humiliation. Why did I just say his name out loud? I heard Finn giggle behind me.
"I, um, uh, mm, no. Uh, no, we haven't," I managed to stutter while he kept his gaze fixed on my face.
"Oh, Barrett, stop." Emma lightly smacked her brother's arm and said enthusiastically, "This is Elle Watson. She works with me now. I probably told her about you at the office. Right, Elle?" Emma said, looking at me with raised eyebrows and a twinkle in her eyes.
I regained my composure and played along. "Yeah, when I came into the office the other day, you mentioned your family and your brother, Barrett." I cleared my throat and forced a smile. He remained impassive but nodded slowly and then looked away down toward the field.
