Page 35 of Lessons in Falling
Yes,I said, but I had a feeling I wouldn’t like where this was going.
Obsessed with Valentina!Alfie blurted, like he loved saying it.They hook up all the time.Honestly, I’m surprised it’s been a week and she hasn’t seen him yet.
Usually,Iris agreed.He’s the first number she texts whenever we’re here.We had to keep her from doing so the second she got here—that’s just desperate.
It’s, like, this summer romance straight out of a movie.Every time we’re here, even when it’snotsummer,Alfie swooned.I swear.I don’t know how she can just go back home and not take the guy with her.I’d have kidnapped him by now.That’snotan exaggeration.
My eyes flicked back to him.By the time Valentina was by his side—and she tapped his shoulder shyly, and I watched him turn, and his eyes widen, and embrace her in a whirlwind hug that lifted her feet off the ground—the fake smile I’d put on was gone.Replaced by a tight frown.Tight enough, it might already have been a grimace.
The feeling settling in the pit of my stomach was unfamiliar, but it intensified when he set her down, and I could see her lips crack into a wide, carefree laugh.
Maybe you’ll finally have your room to yourself tonight.She usually stays over at Finnick’s place.
Embarrassingly enough, I wasn’t even sure who’d said that.By the time it could have registered, I was already halfway to the bar.
CHAPTER 18
VALENTINA
I hadn’t seen Finnick in months.
Still, leaning against the counter, listening to what he’d been up to since the spring—his niece would start primary school soon, surf camp was busier than usual, he’d finally invested in that new board he’d been eying—I couldn’t care less.
I’d never wanted to get back to my best friends, and further away from him, more.Which was confusing, because IlikedFinnick.His smile, his soft, blonde hair, the way he talked about his niece and how much he loved the beach and the water—and anything related to the ocean, really.But I seemed to like him less with Caden around, and the latter’s grimace wasn’t helping.
When he got up, I outright panicked.
My eyes kept flicking back to the man approaching, which was terribly rude.Finnick was still talking about this year’s wave quality, after all.His head shook, and the movement drew my eyes back, matching the laugh on Finnick’s lips.Iwas a little surprised not to hear from you sooner.Thought you might’ve forgotten about me.
He was joking, but a boulder of guilt still lodged itself in the pit of my stomach.There’d been a few of those recently.Finnick was nice.He was good.And two weeks with Caden had made me forget about him completely.
We’ve been so busy,I laughed—or tried my best to, at least, because when Caden shamelessly stopped beside me, it almost knocked the wind out of me.A few feet away.Leaning across the bar to order.
He tilted his head at me, his lips twitched upward as he motioned the bartender over.You want another drink, Val?he asked, using a nickname he’d never used.Giving me a sweet smile he’d never given me before.
This morning, he’d gotten all up in my face about a stupid—although very, very generous—job offer, and now he thought himself in a position to offer me a drink?To smile at me likethat?
With a wide, fake grin, I turned back to Finnick.I held up a finger, then excused myself with a quick,Would you give me a second?
To ensure we couldn’t be overheard, I walked to Caden’s other side.What the fuck is wrong with you?I hissed, then gave Finnick another fake smile to signalSo sorry!Everything’s fine!
I have no idea what you’re talking about.Caden’s eyes flicked to mine, something shimmering in their usual blue.Amusement?Annoyance?My guess would be a combination of both.
He ignored the bartender, who’d finally gotten to our end ofthe counter.Don’t let me keep you from Finnick, Rhodes.He looks quite lost all by himself.
What do you want?I narrowed my eyes, his earlier threat not forgotten.I didn’t know him well enough to guess how serious he’d been, so I just had to assumevery.He hadn’t left much room for misinterpretation.In my opinion, his threat had been very clear.
His hands raised in mocked defense.Getting a drink.
You’re not drinking,I noted, right as he turned to the raven-haired bartender, tattoos covering her tan skin, to tell her,Could I have another water?
Without taking my eyes off him, I added,Make that two.Please.
Now it was definitely amusement that twinkled in his gaze.It slid back to me, then flicked to Finnick, still patiently waiting a few feet away, pretending to be busy on his phone.Caden hummed, considering his next words—just clearly not long enough.So this is the guy you had in mind when you putsex on the beach, not the drink, on your bucket list?
Well, yes.
Finnick Maxwell was the kind of on-again off-again vacation fling found in any girl’s dream.Kind, funny, not bad in bed—but not nearly as good as Caden, I begrudgingly had to admit now.He was ordinary enough not to miss too much when you were away, but things picked up right where they left off when you got back to him.
