Page 15 of Forever Finn
“You bet your ass I am,” she laughs delightedly. “I’ve never seen you freaking out over a guy before.”
“I’m not freaking out,” I reply defensively, my voice rising embarrassingly. “I’m just saying that it’s probably not a date, it’s just dinner, possibly dinner and sex, or maybe just dinner. Should I pretend it’s just dinner? What if I turn up and I expect it to be dinner and sex and it’s really just dinner and friends, although he said I could have him, but I don’t know what that means… and what if we’re not compatible? I’m going to make a complete twat of myself, and then I’ll have to shave my head and live in a monastery on a snowy mountainside in Tibet.”
“I feel you’re being slightly over dramatic,” Sky hums. “Seriously, Finn, you’re like one Kardashian away from a reality show right now. I wish I was there to witness this in person. We could paint each other’s toenails and gossip about cute boys.”
“Hilarious,” I reply. “Just because I like dick doesn’t mean I want to paint my toenails.”
“And just because I like painting my toenails doesn’t mean I want dick,” she chuckles.
“Touché.”
“Okay, so just to recap, a gorgeous blonde Canadian built like a Viking, who’s tongue you’ve already had in your mouth, has invited you to his house for dinner, just the two of you after you both admitted you want each other. Is that about right?”
“Yeah,” I mutter. “That about sums it up.”
“Honey, it’s a date,” she says affectionately.
“I’ve never been on a date,” I reply, feeling a slightly panicky feeling doing a slow roll in my stomach. “At least not one that—”
“That matters?” she answers knowingly.
“Sky,” I whisper. “What do I do?”
“Just be yourself.” I can hear the smile in her voice again. “You’ve already told him the truth about us, and you’ve known him what? Seventy-two hours?”
“About a week,” I admit.
“And what does that tell you?” she says softly, continuing without giving me a chance to respond. “I’ll tell you what it means. It means that you trust him. Whether you understand the why of it, is irrelevant. Deep down in your gut you felt the need to tell him something you’ve told no one else, and that means something. You owe it to yourself to figure out what that is. Even if it’s just a brief fling. You deserve to live your truth. You shouldn’t have to keep hiding who you are.”
“But what about you?” I frown.
“You still love me, right?” She chuckles.
“Always, you know that,” I tell her earnestly.
“Then I’ll be just fine. We can fake a breakup or something, but, Finn, you have to do what’s best for you and trust I’ll have your back no matter what.”
“I don’t deserve you.” I swallow tightly, overwhelmed with love for my best friend.
“You do,” she says firmly. “You are the best man I know Finn Gallagher, and I’m so privileged that I’m the one person who gets to know the real you, not the face you show the rest of the world. Now go give that hunk of a Canadian the same chance.”
“I guess,” I murmur.
“Just answer me this…” she says seriously. “Does he matter?”
“I think he might.” I sigh. “And I can’t figure out why.”
“Then you need to take a chance and find out,” Sky replies. “Even if it doesn’t work out.”
“It probably won’t work out.” I frown.
“That’s the spirit, honey. You keep that glass half full.”
“I’m just being realistic.” I shake my head even though she can’t see me. “It’s only a matter of time before the press figure out where I am and then a whole shit show is going to descend on the bay.”
“Hey, let’s not chop that bridge up for firewood and burn it before we’ve even got to it and crossed it,” she says. “Trust me, I’ve got the press handled, and I’ve gotta say, babe, I’m having a blast.”
“What did you do?” I ask worriedly.