Page 9 of The Nicest Thing

I had a love-hate relationship with ice cream.

I loved how it put me at ease, soothed my nerves, and made every day feel like a celebration.

I hated how it went straight to my hips.

Or my boobs.

I did not need more of either—but honestly, ice cream was my favorite way to unwind. It brought back good memories with family and friends. And it was also my reward for reaching my writing goals.

Speaking of which…

Frowning, I forced my gaze back to the computer screen.

This chapter had been the bane of my existence for the last couple days.

It needed something. I just couldn't figure out what.

I found myself breaking my own cardinal rule of never going back.

When I knew something was amiss, I just couldn't move on.

It was near impossible. So back I went and stayed there. Stuck. Ugh.

Come on brain.

My eyes strayed again to the clock at the bottom of my screen. Finn would be here soon. I had to wrap this up. Now.

Taking a deep breath, I started typing.

And…ah, thank goodness.

My hero re-entered the scene; my heroine got her sass back; and there was obviously an almost-kiss in their future.

I smiled as I typed. The final sentence left my two MC's in a heated stare-off.

Daily word count goal: met.

And with one whole minute to spare.

As I stood from the chair to stretch, I felt satisfied.

The pint of ice cream I kept in the mini fridge at Wild Rose Ink was calling my name.

I moved things around, sure it would be there.

My cousins knew better than to touch my Rocky Road—if I didn't lay down the law, they would devour everything in sight.

I wasn't against sharing, but…a girl had to eat.

Thinking of sharing made me remember Finn and his reaction to the empanadas.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't love that he wanted them all to himself.

It almost sounded like he wanted me all to himself and—

I shook my head.

It was just an expression, Rose.

This is why you're a romance writer. You see romance in everything.

Even when it's not there.

After locating the ice cream, pulling it out and looking around, I realized there were no spoons. No forks. No utensils whatsoever. There was nothing in the small sink either.

Giving a mental sigh, I made my way to the front.

Ana had been holding down the fort while I took my break aka 30 minutes of writing time.

I spotted her, but that wasn't what had my feet sliding to a halt.

Finn was there too.

He must've gotten here early.

Next to him stood a stunningly beautiful woman.

I'd seen her in the shop before. Bella was her name, I think. She'd had a few pieces done and was stop-you-in-your-tracks beautiful like I said. But I'd never been jealous of her.

Until now.

They were standing close.

Very close.

Her eyes were eating him up, not that I could blame her.

As Finn said something, Bella tilted her head back and laughed, exposing her throat.

It was long and elegant—like her fingers that she used now to touch Finn's biceps.

He didn't seem to notice as he smiled at both her and Ana. But Bella drew his attention once more.

Lifting her shirt, pulling her pants down just slightly, she exposed part of her stomach and hip.

"I was thinking of getting it right here," she said. "What do you think, Finn?"

He shrugged, and I heard him say, "I don't know much about tattoos."

"That's okay. But do you think it's a good spot?"

She held his gaze and lifted a brow.

"Or should I go for somewhere more risqué? Like maybe inner thigh?"

Finn's brow furrowed. "I say go with your gut."

"I just want it to look good."

"I'm sure it will no matter where you choose."

Bella laughed again, running her fingers down his arm. "Well, aren't you a charmer?"

Finn didn't seem to know what to say, but Ana rolled her eyes.

"Hey, let me give you my number. If you're not doing anything later, maybe—"

"He has plans," my cousin said.

Bella's eyes moved to her. "Oh does he?"

"Yes, with my cousin, Rose."

Finn nodded.

"Well, that's too bad," Bella said.

"Yeah, for you," Ana responded with all the frostiness of her 16-year-old self. Looking my way, her eyes brightened. "In fact, here she is now. Rose, what took you so long?"

"I was writing," I said, stepping into the lobby.

Finn's smile was instant. "I see you've got the ice cream out. Guess you met your goal?"

"Yeah."

"Good scene?"

"It was," I said, not feeling quite as excited about it as I had only moments ago. "If you need to reschedule, Finn, it's not a problem."

It was actually. We really needed to film these reels. I had to sell more for Grandma Rose's sake. But for some reason, I felt like I was in the way.

Finn looked confused. "No, why would I?"

As Bella's face fell, I said, "If you're sure…"

"Yeah, I've been looking forward to this all day."

Ana smiled like the cat with the cream. "Like I said, Bella, if you'll take a seat, one of our artists should be back soon."

"Okay," she said, deflating, "nice talking to you, Finn."

"You too," he said.

"I hope you and your"—she looked me up and down, obviously finding me lacking—"tutor have a good time."

"Thanks," Finn said with a laugh, while Ana said, "Oh, they will."

I bit back a smile of my own.

To think Finn would need my help academically?

It was laughable.

For so many reasons.

He looked to me then said, "You good, Teach?"

"Hmmm," I said, sharing a secret smile with him. "Wouldn't want you to fail your anatomy class."

"If I do, coach won't let me play in the big game," he said with a serious face.

"That would be tragic."

"I can't let the team down."

"You are the star player."

"With the best arm in the state," he put in.

"Possibly the country," I said with a nod.

Bella sighed. "I need to talk to someone about this tattoo. Will they be long or…?"

Ana shook her head. "Nope, I see my cousins now."

My eyes widened as I looked out the storefront window, seeing that she was right.

Derek, Angelo, Louis, and Carlos were all headed this way.

They had takeout bags in their hands from the Mexican restaurant next door, and they looked happy.

But I could imagine what they'd do if they caught sight of Finn.

Latching onto his arm, I said, "We should start that tutoring."

"Okay, let's go," Finn said.

Ana lifted a brow. "Don't you want to introduce them?"

"I'd rather get stung by a thousand bees," I muttered, and Finn must've heard because he guffawed. I passed the pint of Rocky Road to Ana. "Here."

"What's this?" she asked.

"For your silence," I said seriously, and she gave me a somber nod. "Just tell them Room 5 is unavailable. Please and thank you, Ana."

"Will do," she said.

Finn was laughing as I pulled him down the hall, but I kept one eye on the front door. The bell above it rang just as we got to the room. I pushed Finn inside ahead of me, and as I was closing the door, I paused, listening as Derek said, "Hey, where'd Rose go?"

"Yeah," Angelo said. "Could've sworn I saw her talking to some guy."

Ana's reply?

"Maybe you should get your eyes checked. You have a client, oh, and Room 5 is occupied."

"Occupied by who?" Louis said.

"Nunya."

"Who's nunya?" Carlos asked, and I heard the other guys groan.

"None of your business," Ana said primly. "Now, get to work before I call Grandma Rose and tell her you're all slacking."

Closing the door, I took a deep breath then turned…

…only to freeze.

"Oh," I said in surprise, coming face-to-chest with Finn. It was a very nice chest. His broad shoulders expanded as he inhaled, and yeah, it was hard to look away.

"Something wrong?" he said.

"No"—my eyes snapped to his—"I just didn't realize you were so close."

Finn stared at me while I stared back.

"What's up?" I asked.

"Is there a reason you're hiding me from your family?" he said.

I shook my head. "I'm not."

"Because it feels like I'm your dirty little secret or something."

"Finn," I said with a laugh.

"That or you're embarrassed of me," he added.

My laughter cut off quick at that. "I'm not and never have been."

Finn shrugged. "Then why?"

"I love my family, Finn, but if there's anyone I'm hiding, it's definitely them."

"I liked Ana," he said.

"She's definitely my favorite," I agreed—especially after what she did back there. "Still…"

His brow furrowed as I explained.

"My male cousins are…a lot. They're tough to handle, Finn. And that's not a dig at you. It's just the truth."

I blew out a breath.

"Honestly, I'm not sure how I'd react to them hassling you. Even the thought makes want to do violence."

When I looked up, Finn wore a small smile, his eyes shining with amusement.

"What?" I said.

"So, you're protecting me," he said. It wasn't a question.

I nodded, glad that he was finally getting it.

"Even though I don't need it." Finn blew out a breath. "That's actually sweet, Rose."

"Thanks, I try," I said. "I'm also protecting myself from any harm I might do to my relatives."

"I guess I forgive you."

I crossed my arms. "You better, or I won't tutor you anymore."

Finn tilted his head. "About that. Why anatomy?"

"It was the first subject I could think of," I said.

"I got an A in that class," he said.

Of course, he had.

"It was one of my favorites."

The way he was looking at me, still so close, was making it hard to breathe.

"I bet Bella would've liked studying with you," I mumbled.

"Maybe," Finn said and leaned closer, "too bad I don't want to study with her."

"But she's so beautiful."

"Really? I didn't notice."

My breath hitched as his hand landed on my waist.

"I was thinking about my appointment with my tutor."

"Yeah, um, I think we should get started," I said shakily.

"I agree," Finn said, leaning closer.