Chapter 9-3
947 Words
Tomorrow takes too damn long and I’m a mix of emotions. I try taking a hot shower to calm my nerves, but it doesn’t work.
I have a crush on Hae-in. I don’t know how else to explain the feelings that I have or how the emotions crept up on me out of nowhere. But they’re here. I feel like a fool. A happy fool. While I know the twins and I won’t be together, it wouldn’t be fair to them if I shut them out completely. In a way, we’re family. Connected by tragedy. Whether I like it or not, we’re tied together by the same fate and are forever bound to the pain that comes with it.
When I make it to the office, Anna is there already. She likes to start early. My head is in the clouds most of the day, thinking of all the things Hae-in and I can do. Beauville isn’t a city. It’s a small town. The only happening place is the bar that my dad works at, and the drama that Lola and the rest of us stir up. I preoccupy my mind with things to do when Anna interrupts me.
“Indy, Finn and Sawyer are here to pick you up.” Her voice is quiet, and her smile is warm. Anna has a smile that reaches her eyes when she means it. Her hands are fidgeting. She’s concerned about tonight’s dinner. Several times today she offered to give me an excuse so I wouldn’t have to meet them.
“I’m good Anna,” I remind her again, closing my laptop and grabbing my purse.
“All right,” she responds quietly. “But call me if you need anything at all. I got you.”
“I will.”
The twins are in the lobby. Both men are in jeans. Sawyer has his hair swept back and away from his face, and Finn’s pulled his hair into a messy bun.
“Well, don’t you two clean up nice,” I say, playfully looping my arms with theirs.
Finn doesn’t say a word. He untangles himself from my grasp and takes my bag, handing it to Sawyer. The two are always in sync. Watching them in action got me in trouble in the first place.
“We made reservations at the hotel,” Sawyer explains.
“Which one?”
“It’s Gloria’s, right outside of Beauville.”
It’s the restaurant inside the hotel Hae-in booked for me.
“Sounds good.” I wonder if he’s already landed and if he is staying at the hotel.
Sawyer takes my left hand and leads me out the door.
“I hear their steaks are amazing,” Finn comments, opening the door to their rental car.
“I’ll drive, you two enjoy the ride.” Sawyer rounds the car to get in on the driver’s side and Finn slides into the back seat next to me.
“Don’t be so jumpy, we’re not gonna bite.” Finn takes my hand in his and squeezes. I know this routine. Their game. I don’t want to lead them on or give them false hope. I gently slide my hand from beneath Finn’s. Sawyer pulls out into traffic, and the uncomfortable silence has my stomach tight. We’ve suffered so much, and our wounds are still fresh.
“Finn, Sawyer, I know you guys want to talk.”
“Let’s talk after dinner.”
“I’d rather talk before dinner,” I say.
The hotel is beautiful. I take the time to look at the things I missed on my first visit. It rained earlier and the cobblestone pavement looks like polished rocks, boasting beautiful pinks and grays. The inside is just as stunning, with a high ceiling and a bright chandelier greeting each person as they enter. I can’t place the smell, but it’s somehow familiar. There are beautiful bouquets of fresh flowers everywhere in bright pink and ivory white roses. Sawyer notices my reaction.
“This hotel is owned by a family who’s entering the hotel business,” I say, remembering Anna mentioning it earlier. They had wanted her to come out and take pictures. And I was working on a possible collaboration as far as hosted events. But I have yet to hear from the owner. I’d left several messages earlier in the week.
“Jackson told us the other day. There were some issues and the family hired him and the local team to look into the breach in security.” Finn places his hands on my lower back and leads me into the restaurant. It’s called Gloria’s. They lined one entire side of the room with vast floor-to-ceiling windows, and the seating is intimate.
The hostess greets us and offers us a booth or a table. The twins say at the same time.
“Booth.”
I ask for a table for three.
“Okay, a table, as the lady wishes?” she asks.
I nod. “Please lead the way.”
“Indy.”
I turn back to look at Finn and grin. “You think you’re sneaky. I’ve said what needed to be said. Let it go.”
Sawyer pokes my side, making me jump. “It won’t be that easy.”
I roll my eyes and follow the hostess. After we’re seated, I order a hot tea, and the twins each order a Jack and Coke.
“I’m starved.”
“Order whatever you like. It’s on us.”
I rub my hands together and then c***k my knuckles. “Excellent. I brought two stomachs.”
Both men laugh. We are better off as friends. Loving each other in that respect will work better for all parties involved. I open the menu and notice they have a section of Korean food. I’m reminded of Hae-in and the place we first met. He helped me with my order and decided he would invite himself to sit at my table.
I smirk.
“What are you thinking about?” Sawyer asks.
“Hae-in.” I cover my mouth as soon as the words escape.
“Why would you be thinking of him when you’re here with us?”
“Because I’m unforgettable.”
My heart speeds up at the sound of his voice.
He’s here.
- Writer
