Page 87 of Your Two Lips
EMILY
Early October can havea few warm and sunny days, a last glimpse of summer before the cold, damp winter. The sky was blue, and the water sparkled. A boat bell echoed as I sat at my patio table, enjoying the warmth of the day. I hadn’t been able to sit in the lounger where Finn and I had sat together and counted the stars. I could barely look at it some days, but I refused to get rid of it. If I got rid of everything that held a memory of Finn, I’d have to sell the entire house. He was everywhere.
“Hello, dear!” Miss Nell called from our connected side yards. “Can I grab those packages you mentioned?”
“Yes, I’ll get them.” I stood, and Miss Nell stepped closer.
“Emily, are you okay, dear?”
I grabbed the small boxes from the back step and handed them over. “Of course. Why do you ask?”
“Oh, you just look … well, you’re less bright lately.” Only Miss Nell.
I heard the rumble of a truck. They all sounded like Finn’s. “I feel less bright. Finn and I, we aren’t seeing each other anymore.”
“Oh no. What did he do? Those dimples are trouble.”
I chuckled. “No, no, he didn’t do anything. It just didn’t work out. I’m not the right girl for him.”
“Well, I don’t see how that's possible. You are kind and smart and such a pretty thing.” Miss Nell glanced to the side. “You know, men make mistakes. Often. My Anthony, he made a lot. He always made up for it, though, with flowers. And I was always glad I accepted them and him, or I would have missed out on so much love. I can’t pass a florist shop without picturing him.”
I smiled. “I’m sure they were lovely.”
“Emily.”
The silky, deep voice washed over me, and I turned. Finn was holding a giant bouquet. Tulips from the greenhouse in every color. “Finn? Is everything okay? Your dad?”
“Toodle-oo you two.” Miss Nell was already heading back across the lawn.
“Dad’s fine. He retired, handed me the reins, and said he always believed in me. Lucas is helping a little more, and Tess will help after she graduates in the spring if we need her. Mom and Dad are making travel plans.”
“I heard the resort is moving forward. That’s great.” God, he looked good even if his eyes had the same dark circles mine did. I wrapped my hands around my middle to keep from running and sagging into his warm embrace to feel whole again, if only for a little while.
“The resort is good. Four yurt kits on the way, and the platforms started. Four more to come after the holidays. Dad and I are working together on that.” He shifted. “I don’t want to talk about the resort or my dad.” He stepped closer, and I inhaled his sandalwood scent like an addict. I missed it. Out of the bottle, it wasn’t the same as it was on Finn.
I ached. It hurt to look at him, so good and solid, so Finn. So not mine. “I told you I need more time. Let life come between us and the memories for a while.”
He ignored me.
“I brought you something.” He walked across the pavers to the patio table and, setting down the tulips, he rustled a bag he was carrying. He pulled out a pint of ice cream and two beautiful sterling silver spoons. They were heirlooms.
“Finn, what are you—chocolate-covered strawberry! How did you find this? I called the dairy weeks ago, and they said it was sold out until next summer.”
“We farmers have to be innovative. I made a farmer-to-farmer deal. I agreed to bring a couple hundred bulbs and redo her tulip beds, and she agreed to make a small batch of ice cream by hand just for us. There are eleven more pints in my freezer.”
“Finn, I—”
“These spoons, these are from my nonna’s wedding silver. She brought them from Italy when she came to the states with my grandfather. They’re a special family heirloom to my mom.”
He scooped some of the pink deliciousness into two small glass bowls. Also, heirlooms, I would bet. He handed me one, and I sunk my spoon into the creamy sweetness. I closed my eyes to enjoy the first bite. I wasn’t thinking clearly. If I was, I would have stopped him, but chocolate-covered strawberry ice cream made especially for me, I had to have a taste. I apparently learned nothing from the heartache I gave myself wanting a taste of Finn.
“I remember you ate this ice cream on the first day I spent with you. Everything changed that day, Emily. I want you in my life, no matter what. Do you want me?”
I resisted the vulnerability in his eyes. “Finn, nothing has changed. I can’t be what you need.”
“If you can love me, all I need is you.”
“Why wouldn’t I love you? You’re smart and strong, gentle and kind. The way you touch me … Finn, it’s because I love you that I let you go.”
