Page 35 of The Bear's Matchmaking Mix-up Mate
Wren’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she touched her fingers to her pendant, a gesture he’d come to recognize as her way of collecting herself when emotions ran high. Finn’s heart flipped, amazed at how well he already knew her little tells.
“Would you...” she began, then paused, her fingers twisting together in her lap. “Would you like to come in?”
“I…I…” he stammered.
“I understand if you are busy. I have taken up so much of your time over the last couple of days,” she began. “It’s just that I finished a song last night. I…I’d really like you to be the first to hear it.”
“I’d be honored, Wren,” he said quietly, his voice rougher than he’d intended.Finn reached across the space between them, just barely letting his hand brush her forearm. It was a light, barely there touch, but full of meaning.
His bear practically vibrated with excitement.She’s letting us in. She’s opening up. Play it cool, Finn.
I’m not sure that’s possible,Finn said, unable to suppress his smile.
They stepped out into the cool evening air, the mountains silhouetted against the darkening sky. Finn closed the truck door behind him, then moved to stand beside Wren as she gazedtoward the forest edge where the trees swayed gently in the breeze.
“The light at this time of day is something else,” Wren murmured.
“It is,” Finn agreed, his voice barely above a whisper.
He was acutely aware of how close they stood, their shoulders nearly touching. Something invisible seemed to pull them together, like gravity or magnetism or fate itself. His bear rumbled contentedly inside him, urging him closer.
When Finn looked down, Wren was already gazing up at him. Her lips parted slightly, then pursed, her eyes reflecting the last golden rays of sunlight. His heart thudded against his ribs so loud he thought she might hear it as he tried to read her expression. Was she asking him to kiss her? The air between them felt charged, electric.
He leaned forward just a fraction, testing, waiting.
But then Wren blinked and stepped back, breaking the spell. “We should go listen to my song,” she said, her voice slightly breathless.
Disappointment coursed through him, but Finn nodded, trying not to let it show. “Lead the way.”
She fumbled slightly with her keys at the door, and Finn resisted the urge to place his hand over hers to steady them. Finally, the lock turned, and she stepped inside.
“The studio’s upstairs,” Wren said in almost businesslike fashion as she led the way. “It’s not much, just a spare room I’ve set up with my equipment.”
Finn climbed the stairs behind her, wishing they were going upstairs for another reason. He longed to hold her in his arms and make love to her.
But that wasn’t why they were here, and he knew how much this song meant to Wren.
The room was small but warm, with a window seat overlooking the garden. Her well-loved guitar stood in one corner, and a small recording setup occupied another. Notebooks were stacked on a desk, some open, pages filled with her neat handwriting.
Wren’s hands trembled slightly as she picked up her guitar and settled onto the window seat, gesturing for Finn to take the chair across from her. The fading sunlight caught in her hair as she bent over the instrument, tuning it with practiced fingers. She bit her lip, glanced up at him, then away. Finn wanted to tell her not to be nervous, but held his tongue, letting her do what she needed to do, be who she needed to be.
“It’s still rough,” she warned, not meeting his eyes. “And I haven’t recorded it properly yet, so...”
“Wren,” Finn whispered. “I already know it’s going to be amazing.” His voice cracked a little on the last word.
She looked up then, a smile breaking across her face as she took a deep breath, her fingers poised over the strings, and began to play.
The first notes filled the room, clear and sweet, building into a melody that seemed to reach inside Finn’s chest and squeeze. And then she began to sing, her voice low and intimate, as if she were telling secrets meant only for him.
The lyrics washed over him, words about shadows and light, about walls crumbling, about finding courage in someone else’s steady gaze. About coming home to yourself after being lost for so long. Each verse unwound something tight in Finn’s chest, each chorus built something new in its place.
His bear fell silent, utterly transfixed.She’s magical,his bear whispered in awe.She’s everything and more.
Finn couldn’t have responded even if he had tried. He sat perfectly still, afraid that any movement might break the spell of her voice. This wasn’t just a song; it was Wren, stripped bare, offering him a piece of her soul. He could feel the truth of it in every note, every word.
When the final chord faded, the silence that followed felt sacred. Finn realized his cheeks were wet, tears he hadn’t even felt falling.
“That was...” His voice broke, and he had to clear his throat. “That was incredible. I’ve never heard anything so honest, Wren.” He swiped at his cheeks, unable to stop smiling, not caring if he looked like a fool.
