“Are you cold?” Holly asked.
“What?”
“I just saw you shiver. I’ll turn up the fan. Hopefully the heat will kick in soon.” After she adjusted the temperature controls, she leaned back in her seat. “What were you thinking by offering up those tickets to the ball? I don’t have any connections.”
“But I do. So don’t worry.” He didn’t want to carry on a conversation now.
“You...you shouldn’t have done it. It’s too much.”
“Sure, I should have.” Not taking his eyes off the road, he reached out to her. His hand landed on her thigh and he squeezed. “I wanted to do it for you. I know how much your family means to you.”
“They shouldn’t, though. I know they don’t treat me...like family. I just wish—oh, I don’t know what I wish.”
“It’s done now so stop worrying.” He returned his hand to the steering wheel.
“That’s easy for you to say. You’re not related to them.”
“But they are related to you and the babies. Therefore, they are now part of my life.” He could feel her eyeing him up. Had that been too strong? He didn’t think so. Even if he never won over her heart, they would all still be one mixed-up sort of family.
“You do know what this means, don’t you?”
His fingers tightened on the steering wheel, not liking the sound of her voice. “What?”
“That you and I must go to the ball now. And it’s a well-known fact that you make a point of never attending the ball.”
“For you, I’ll make an exception.” The snow came down heavier, making his every muscle tense. “Don’t worry. It’ll all work out.”
“I’ll pay you back.”
Just then the tires started to slide. His heart lurched. No! No! No!
Holly reached out, placing a hand on his thigh. Her fingers tightened, but she didn’t say a word.
When the tires caught on the asphalt, Finn expelled a pent-up breath. This was his fault. He promised to take care of his family and protect them like he hadn’t been able to do with his parents and brother. And already he was failing.
Finn swallowed hard. “If you want to pay me back, the next time I tell you that we should stay in because of the weather, just listen to me.”
She didn’t say anything for a moment. And then ever so softly, she said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t think it’d get this bad.”
His fingers tightened on the steering wheel as he lowered his speed even more, wishing that they were closer to his building.
Just a little farther. Everything will be all right. It has to be.
His gut twisted into a knot. It was going to take him a long time to unwind after this. The snow kept falling, making visibility minimal at best. The wipers cleared the windshield in time for more snow to cover it.
His thoughts turned back to Holly. The truth was that no matter how much he’d fought it in the beginning, he’d fallen for Holly, hook, line and sinker. He couldn’t bear to lose her or the babies. From now on, when they went out, he’d plan ahead. He’d be cautious. He’d do anything it took to keep them safe.
From here on out, they were a team. He had Holly’s back. And he already knew that she had his—the success of Project Santa was evidence of it. Now he just had to concentrate on the roadway and make sure they didn’t end up skidding into a ditch or worse.
* * *
What an utter disaster.
Back at the penthouse, Holly didn’t know what to say to Finn. He’d been so quiet in the car. He must be upset that she let him walk into such a strained situation and then for him to feel obligated to come up with those tickets to the ball. They cost a small fortune. She didn’t know how she’d ever repay him.
Now she was having second thoughts about telling Finn that they had to go to the ball. She didn’t know how she’d explain it to her family, but she’d come up with a reason for their absence. Besides, it wasn’t like she even had a dress, and the ball was just days away.
When she stepped into the living room, she found Finn had on the Rangers and Penguins hockey game. That was good. After the cleanup on the island, the work at the office and then meeting her family, he deserved some downtime.