Page 42 of Wintertime Love (Holiday 2)

I glance at the clock. “Because it’s two in the morning and I’d like to sleep in a bed. Put your shirt on.”

Finn isn’t that willing to leave but I manage to drag him to the car. He looks thoughtful as I drive, a strange expression on his face. “I thought you threw out everything I gave you.”

My hands tighten on the wheel but I don’t say anything.

He doesn’t add anything further, either.

When we reach the house, I’m about to leave to go to my room but he wraps his around my waist and I am pulled into his room.

I find that I’m not completely unwilling.

The next morning when I come downstairs, it’s early but both my aunts are already sitting there, beaming at me.

Seeing Aunt Vee smile like this is disturbing. “What?” I ask, warily.

Aunt Helen can hardly contain her glee. “You didn’t sleep in your room today.”

I blink before making my way to the coffee pot to pour myself a cup. “Yeah, no I didn’t. What about it?”

Aunt Vee studies me. “Where were you?”

I snort. “Like you don’t know.” Before she can open her mouth, I chug down the coffee and say hastily, “I have to leave. There’s a lot of cleaning to do.”

“I bet there is,” Aunt Vee murmurs with a smirk.

My whole face burns, and I exclaim, “I don’t have to listen to this!”

“Now, now, sweetheart,” Aunt Helen intervenes, shooting her sister a look that has her falling silent. She then glances at me. “How did the date go? Did you like the food? Finn cooked it all by himself.”

I still and turn to face them. “About that. Why did you give Finn that wine?”

Aunt Helen raises a brow at me. “You didn’t like it?”

“I liked it just fine. I’m just curious as to what prompted you to depart with something that you two keep saying is for a special occasion.”

Both of them are silent and I put down my cup on the island counter and narrow my eyes at them, “What are you not telling me?”

Aunt Vee is the one who breaks the silence, “Finn is a good man.”

“I know he is.”

“We think you two…” Aunt Helen hesitates. “…he’s good for you. Better than anyone.” She glances at her sister, before continuing, “We have a good feeling about him.”

I don’t know what to say to this and I sigh. “Look, I know you two mean well but I don’t think you should interfere with this. I – we don’t even know how long he’s here for—”

“Do you like him?” Aunt Vee demands, suddenly.

I swallow. “Yes.” My voice is faint.

“Does he stand out more to you than any other man you’ve dated?”

They see the answer in my eyes and a smile breaks out on both my aunts’ faces.

“Well that’s that, then.” Aunt Vee nods.

I roll my eyes. “No, it’s not. Look, Finn and I – It’s complicated between us.” My voice wavers. “I really like him but I need to take it slow which isn’t possible….” I glare at them. “If you keep interfering in our relationship.”

Aunt Vee huffs, “You needed a nudge. How is that interfering?”

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