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“I’ll put everything aside for the weekend. I’ll try. You aren’t alone in this. I feel it, too, I’m just . . .”

“Scared.”

I release a rough breath.

“Yeah.”

“Don’t be. I’ve got you.”

And fuck if I don’t want to believe him.

Walking around the small town with Finn is as easy as breathing. We fall into step together like two friends who’ve known each other their entire lives. It takes me a beat toremember that I’m far from Aspen Ridge and no one here would know me from the next asshole walking around.

“What do you do for fun? You know, besides prowling a sex club for unsuspecting women?”

“Is this on or off the record?”

The growl that leaves his throat is deep and masculine, and even though I can’t see those icy blue eyes behind his aviators, I know they’d be full of annoyance.

“If you’re not going to try . . . you know what? Fuck it. Let’s just go.” Finn turns to retreat the way we came, my chest tightening with something that feels a whole helluva lot like panic. I reach out and grab his arm, pulling him into my space, just a breath apart. Not an hour ago, I agreed to try this weekend. I let him see a rare vulnerable part of me and I’m already fucking it up, falling back into my old habits, hiding myself from everyone around me.

“I’ll behave.” Finn’s head cocks to the side as if he doesn’t believe me. “I will, just . . . give me a break here.” My throat cracks as I continue, “This is new for me.”

“Walking around town with someone other than yourself?”

“Fuck, man, you’re really gonna make me say it?”

“Sure as fuck am.”

“Goddamnit, you can’t make anything easy, can you? I’m not open with people. I’ve never been in a relationship. And this is not a relationship, but I don’t go walk around town with someone I’m fucking around with.”

“Never?”

“Never. I don’t want one. I don’t do relationships, full stop. And I definitely didn’t know I was . . .” My voice trails off as I run my fingers over the coarse stubble of my face. I don’t know why I’m opening up, but it’s just so damn easy to talk to him. And for once, I have someone who seems like they genuinely want to hear what I have to say.

“Into men?” Finn finishes for me, even though I’m still confused as fuck on that one.

“Into men,” I repeat, not hating how it sounds. “I think? I don’t even know. Again, not saying this is a relationship either, it’s not, just feels a bit relationship-y.”

Finn’s lips lift in a smile as he steps into my space, whispering in my ear in that way that he does that drives me crazy, his warm breath scattering goosebumps across my body.

“Lean into it, lover. It might surprise you.”

He pulls back, his hand dragging down the length of my arm until he finds my hand, threading his fingers through mine. Electricity zips between us, causing my heart to beat rapidly in my chest. I use the fist of my free hand to rub the spot, hoping to relieve this budding feeling. Finn gives me his signature smirk and pulls me along to continue up the brick street and the rows of shops. His hand is warm in mine, and just like everything else with this man, he’s given me something I’ve never experienced before. And I don’t hate it.

“You ever had lobster?”

I think back for a moment to all the damn fish I’ve had over my life growing up in Washington, but lobster isn’t something that’s typically caught locally.

“Nah, I don’t think I have, actually.”

“Get ready for it, you’re either gonna hate it or love it. There will be no in-between.”

We weave through tourists and get in line at a shack by the water called When in Maine. It’s jam-packed with people, at least twenty in front of us, so it must be good. Everyone seems to be getting the exact same order, though, and after five people walk away with what looks like an overflowing hot dog bun, I look at Finn.

“Lobster rolls. Lobster and mayo on a split-top bun. That’s it.”

“That’s all they sell?”