Page 130 of Finn Rhodes Forever

All the big moments in life, we had shared. Birthdays, trips, graduation. He was woven into so many of the experiences that had made me who I was.

And now this.

“Sharing this with you,” I whispered into his chest, “it’s the only way I wanted to do this.”

He scooped me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist.

“We’re going to have so many firsts together, aren’t we?” I asked him, smiling down at him.

His eyes were velvet soft. “Mhm.”

I leaned down to kiss him.

* * *

At the bottomof the creek, we left our shoes on the shore while we waded in, letting the cool water run over us. Finn’s hand slipped into mine and I leaned against him, quiet and content.

“That’s a tough flower,” Finn commented, and I smiled.

“Yeah. Everyone underestimated it.”

He gave my hand a squeeze.

We returned to the ski lodge with a ton of photos. We’d left my kit here and would return tomorrow to collect samples.

While Finn cooked dinner, I flicked through the photos. He had made me crouch on the ridge, the flowers in the background, while he snapped pictures. In the images, my smile stretched ear to ear.

I glanced at him cooking over the stove, his broad back to me, the muscles dancing as he moved.

I wished I could say it. The emotion simmered under my skin. On the ridge earlier, when we stood together with shining eyes, it had burst and bloomed in my chest.

I really, really wanted to say it.

We ate dinner outside, watching the sun go down as we sat on a log listening to the sounds of the forest.

“Even this dried pasta crap tastes okay tonight,” Finn commented, and I laughed.

My nose wrinkled. “Is it bad that I’m relieved we won’t have to eat it for a while?”

“Fuck, no. I can never eat this or trail mix ever again.” He shrugged, bumping my shoulder with his. “Still worth it, though.”

I nodded, meeting his eyes. “Still worth it.”

When the light was too dim to see, we headed back inside. I added more wood to the fire in the stove to keep the cabin warm while Finn climbed up to the loft, laying out our sleeping bags. I heard the rustle of him against the slippery fabric, and my pulse picked up as I climbed the ladder.

“It’s too early to sleep,” I told him.

He was shirtless and my gaze dropped to the pictures across his arms and chest. His eyes followed me, shining in the golden light from the stove and lantern downstairs. “I know.”

Sparks shot through me and I crawled into the sleeping bag. He had connected ours together, one on top and one below. Propped up on my elbow, I leaned down to kiss him. His hand came to my jaw, tilting me open to deepen the kiss.

He sighed into me and the next second, I was on my back, watching him hover over me with a devilish smile that was different than usual.

Sweeter. More affectionate. Trusting. Like this was everything to him.

It was everything to me, too.

“You’re so beautiful, Olivia.” His eyes roamed my face before meeting my gaze. “I look at you and I can’t breathe. I can’t think. I just want to be with you.”

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