Page 63 of Flag On The Play
As I pull away from the club, my head rests against the seat, and all I can think is maybe this really is something.
And for the first time in a long time, I can’t wait to see where it goes.
CHAPTER 18
FINLAY
Nova wasn’t kidding when she said this place had the best Chinese food in the city. The second we walked in, the smell alone made my mouth water. It’s small, tucked between a laundromat and some psychic who probably also sells fake IDs, but the second we sat down at a worn red booth, Nova looked completely at home.
“I’ve eaten here more times than I can count,” she says, smiling at the old menu like it’s an old friend. “After work, after breakups, after my mom would visit and drive me up the wall.” She laughs softly. “This place has seen me at my absolute worst.”
I lean forward, grinning. “So you’re saying it’s been well-tested.”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
She orders without even glancing at the menu, and I follow her lead. Halfway through our drinks, the nostalgia creeps in.
“You remember when we were neighbors?” I ask, a smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. “Before you guys moved over to that other neighborhood.”
Nova rolls her eyes with a smirk. “Yeah. Your parents had that giant pool that I wasn’t allowed to swim in after seven. My mom thought it would ‘make my hair fall out’ or some shit.”
I laugh, hard. “Right? My parents used to sit out there drinking wine with your mom, talking about the other neighbors, and meanwhile you and I were stuck inside, staring out the window like we were grounded.”
She grins, reaching for her water. “Honestly, the highlight of those nights was your mom’s nachos. My mom would try to one-up her by bringing those insane cupcakes no one ever actually wanted.”
“Oh my God,” I groan. “The ones with the edible glitter?”
Nova throws her head back and laughs. “And the chocolate sprinkles that were actually tiny licorice pieces? Criminal.”
We’re both laughing loud enough that the old couple a few tables down gives us a look. I don’t care. Being here with her, like this, it’s easy. Fun. But then the laughter fades, and the memory shifts.
“It’s wild,” I say, twirling my straw in my drink. “We went from being friends as kids to basically hating each other in high school.”
Nova arches a brow and quirks her lips. “Well, that’s because you turned into a cocky prick.”
I feign offense. “Turned into? I was born this way.”
She shakes her head, but her eyes soften. I reach across the table and take her hand. Just a small movement, simple and steady, but her fingers curve around mine without hesitation.
The mood changes. It softens as my heart pounds in my chest.
“I’m sorry, Nova.” My voice is low, but sincere. “For how I treated you back then. For pushing you away. For letting other people’s opinions matter more than what I knew was real. You didn’t deserve that.”
She’s quiet for a moment, her thumb brushing gently against mine.
“I hated you,” she whispers with a small laugh, no venom behind it. “But I also still noticed every single time you looked at me. Even when you pretended not to.”
My throat tightens because I remember those moments. The ones where I looked but didn’t speak. Where I saw her, even when I was pretending not to.
“As much as I hate to admit it,” she says, eyes locked on mine, “I believe you.”
The words hit me in a place I didn’t expect. Not just forgiveness but trust.
I squeeze her hand and give her a crooked smile. “Guess I’ve got a lot of ground to make up for.”
Nova smiles, soft and sure. “Good thing I like a man who’s willing to work for it.”
We finish up dinner, but I’m not ready for the night to end. I don’t think I’ll ever be ready for it to end.
