“I think Noah knew me better than a lot of my friends,” Finn says after a startled beat. “So when we did meet, it felt right. And of course, we have a lot in common.”
Finn and I gaze at each other.
“You’re so cute!” the interviewer exclaims. “It’s obvious how devoted you are to each other. I do a lot of these interviewers, and you really stand out.”
I shoot the interviewer a wobbly smile.
Finn nudges my shoulder. “We’re happy we can live in a world where we can get married and be true to ourselves and, um, everyone else.”
The interviewer beams and bursts forth with more congratulations, and before long Daniela has the next interviewer.
The rest of the day passes in a blur. I think it goes well. I think everyone believes that we are a couple. If I’m honest, I’m surprised how willing people are to believe that. If Finn wanted to date a man, he would have many options. He wouldn’t choose me.
Finally, there are no more interviewers, and Finn ushers me downstairs. My parents smile when we approach, and after another elegant dinner at another elegant restaurant, this time withFinn’s parents, we return to the apartment.
After we say goodnight to my parents, we slip into Finn’s bedroom, and the awkwardness returns in full force.
“Did you really watch all my vlogs?” Finn asks.
I want to lie and tell him I was exaggerating. It’s embarrassing how important a part Finn played in my day over the past few years.
But I can’t lie to Finn.
“You won me over a long time ago.” I bite my lip. “And maybe that’s why I’m here. All those videos on meditation and clean eating... Some of the other people on my team in Providence were stronger, but I was the person who was called up to join the Blizzards, not them.”
Finn smiles. “I’m glad.”
We change and slide under the covers.
“We make a good team,” Finn says. “I don’t think I could have as effectively pretended to be dating anyone else.”
“Same.” I gaze into Finn’s eyes, then pull away, conscious that I’m staring. Heat floods my cheeks, and I practically dive for the bedside lamp, flinging my side of the bed into darkness.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Finn
Tension fills me, and every cell of my body aches, even though today was a rest day. I’m supposed to be asleep, but even though I get practice every night on sleeping, I can’t sleep.
And I’m certain Noah isn’t asleep either.
I want to move, but I don’t, on the off chance that Noah is asleep and that I might wake him up.
“Finn?” Noah whispers.
Okay. He’s not asleep too.
“Yeah?”
“Are you still awake?”
I smile. “I was wondering if you were.”
I take advantage of the fact we’re both awake and readjust my position, so that I’m now on my side, facing him, even though it’s dark, even though our whispers carry.
“Things are crazy, huh?” he asks.
“Yeah.”
