Page 11 of Sun and Stone (Elementally Yours #5)

11. Lessons From Past Lovers

This elevator is taking forever.

I stand in the elevator next to Fynn, uncharacteristically quiet. We haven't spoken a word since we left Malcolm's office. We should discuss what we found out and whether we believe that the suncatcher weakening his powers was all a mistake. Usually I would make a joke, cut the tension, but I can't.

We step out into the reception area, a sleek and modern lobby with white accents. All the people look way too perfect, so I should clearly avoid skin care companies before I get a complex looking at all this flawless skin.

We don’t get very far when he grabs my arm.

"Do you still doubt him?" he asks me quietly.

"Do you still trust him?" I counter.

He nods. "I believe him. It’s very easy to imagine Malcolm selecting the first thing he saw without thinking and not knowing any better. He didn’t take much of an interest in my magic."

"So, you’re saying he was a crappy fiancée and that’s proof he’s not guilty?" I scoff and make it as far as the white couches in the lobby.

"Are you upset?" Fynn wonders from behind me.

"No. I don’t know.” I groan and stop walking, resting my hands on the back of the couch. “He does seem self-absorbed."

"Fair," he huffs out a laugh.

Am I upset? Am I jealous? I have no idea. Words stick in my throat, unwilling to be spoken, as I find myself mesmerized by the larger-than-life images surrounding us on the pictures lining the walls. Lots of smiling, happy faces with clean, flawless skin.

I can't help but compare myself to those airbrushed models, their smiles so wide and bright they look practically inhuman. Malcolm looked perfect enough, maybe his picture is up there too.

Maybe I am jealous. No, it's not that. I'm worried. Worried about whether I have a reason to be jealous. Is there still something between them? I thought they'd barely be able to handle being in the same room together. But they got along like old friends.

My hands clench around the fabric of the couch and I release it, afraid I’m going to stain or harm the fabric somehow with my bad vibes. White couches. What were they thinking?

I feel overexposed under the bright lights in the skincare company lobby. I quietly ask Fynn, "Are you sure it's over between you and Malcolm? You seemed to get along very well."

"Perry, no—"

"I wouldn't blame you if you still had feelings. He's charming, fun, arguably good looking."

"Arguably?" Fynn gives me a crooked smile.

"That's my story and I'm sticking to it." No way I'm going to pay Malcolm a compliment, not even when he's not around. The man's ego is so big I'm afraid his head will explode. "I guess I'm just worried you might want to give things another try. You two would make a good couple." At least until Malcolm opens his mouth.

I take a deep breath as Fynn approaches and takes my hand. "I'm not sure why you're even worried. Didn't you notice how completely wrong for each other Malcolm and I are?"

I nod, meeting his gaze. "That did cross my mind. I was just wondering if it was as obvious to you."

"Yes," he says, huffing out a laugh.

Fynn opens his mouth, then closes it, looking around the bright lobby. He gently tugs my hand, leading me outside.

As we step onto the sidewalk, the breeze picks up, fluttering my colorful scarf.

"Malcolm and I weren't exactly right for each other, but we cared about each other," Fynn says softly. "We hardly ever fought in the beginning. So when everything started going wrong with my magic, I ignored all the little things that were wrong between us and rushed into an engagement." He lets out a self-deprecating chuckle. "I needed to have something going right, even if we were wrong together. I was an idiot."

I give his hand a gentle squeeze. "Don't be too hard on yourself."

Fynn looks at me pointedly. "Come on, you must be thinking the same thing."

I shrug. "He knew fuck all about your powers."

Nodding, Fynn continues, "And I know fuck all about skincare or any of his interests. We did care for each other, even if we weren't a great couple. That's why I find it hard to believe he'd hurt me on purpose. He may know nothing about magic, but he did know it was important to me."

I offer him a sympathetic smile. "Well, if it's any consolation, I don't think he meant to screw up your magic."

Fynn returns the smile. "I agree. Our breakup was messy, but we're on good terms now because it's clear that we were a bad match."

"True, but he still seems important to you."

Fynn's green eyes meet mine, steady and sincere. "You're right. He is important. Not because I have feelings for him. He played a very important role in my life. I needed him leaving to wake me up and get my priorities right. I needed him and my relationship with him so that I could see what I really need, so that I wouldn't make the same mistakes. He wasn't the kind of person I need in my life."

But this is different. That’s what it sounds like. "And you're implying I am that kind of person?"

"I don't know, we haven't known each other very long," he says.

"Right yeah." The sharp disappointment I feel must be evident on my face, so I start walking ahead of him so he doesn't see it.

Fynn grabs me by the hand and pulls me back into him. I stumble a bit, basically crashing into him, though he doesn't seem to mind. He's watching me with a soft smile on his face.

"But in the short time we have known each other, you've shaken up my whole life in a good way and forced me to confront my misconceptions and discover what I really want in my life. You've pushed me and supported me in equal measure."

I stare at him, breathless. The sincerity in his voice, the way he's looking at me—it's overwhelming.

"So, there's no reason to be jealous of anyone. My eyes are on you, Perry Eddison."

The smile lighting up my own face must rival his. I play it off, nodding like I expected as much. "Cool. That’s cool."

I'm not fooling anyone, but it makes me feel better about being a sap in the middle of the street.

Fynn's hand cups my cheek, his thumb caressing my skin as we both lean in and our lips brush in a sweet, slow kiss. There's no urgency, no rush. Just a gentle, unhurried exploration as if we have all the time in the world.

I laugh into his mouth because instead of tasting tea, I only taste sugar. I wonder how many sugar cubes he put into his cup. He just moves his hand to the back of my neck and pulls me in closer.

I should probably be embarrassed, standing in the middle of the sidewalk locked in an intimate embrace with Fynn. But all I can think about is the way his lips feel pressed against mine, soft and warm. Almost as warm as the happy feeling in my chest.

Call me crazy but this doesn't feel like friends with benefits. It feels real.