He cut me off. "No apologies. I told you to take your time."
"You working?" I looked around at all of the people milling about. Most of them were couples, holding hands and having a good time together. It made me long for him all the more.
"Yeah, but I get off around two. You want to get together and talk?"
"No. I want you to join me and Parker on the slopes. He's going to teach me to snowboard."
Finn snorted, and my lip raised in a smile. "Confession time."
"What?” I asked.
"Parker already invited me. The kid's been texting me for the last three days with what to do and what not to do. I didn't have the heart to tell him that I wasn't getting involved until you were ready for me, too." The sound of his voice caused my heart to swell in my chest.
"So, you're his friend for this afternoon?"
"I am, but I was going to text you just after lunch to make sure you were okay with it."
"Too funny. That little shit." I turned as the attendant walked up. I pushed the cologne toward her and gave her my card. Finn would be upset over my getting him something, but I didn't care. I wanted to buy him the world now that I'd decided to give us a try. I had no idea what that really meant, but the thought of even taking a first step left a peace settled on me that affirmed that I was headed in the right direction.
"He's a good kid." Finn cleared his throat. "Where are you?"
"At the mall. Getting gifts."
"For your dad and Parker?"
"And you." I smiled.
"Chloe, I don't want anything but you. Don't buy me anything. Just tell me we can go on a second date and I'll be the happiest man in the world. I don't need things. I need you."
"Wow. From friends to an instant romance. Almost like that crazy love you read about in romance novels."
"We were never friends. That was your dumb rule and it didn't work." He chuckled and I did, too.
"True. Come with us today and let's get one over on Parker. Help me pull a prank on him."
"Only if you'll agree to a second date with me."
"Deal."
"What are we doing?"
"Show up like he wants you to and when I see you, I'll throw a fit and shove you backwards. Lose your balance and slide down that small hill by the lift. Drag me with you and let's roll down and play dead until he gets there. Then, we'll pull him down and bury h
is ass in the snow." I was smiling so hard that my cheeks hurt.
"Damn. That's a little much. Is that what sisters do to their baby brothers?"
"You bet your ass it is. Help me or I'll get you back, too." I took the bag from the lady and thanked her before moving to the next store.
"I'm in. You're too scary to cross, just don't really hit me, please."
I laughed. "Never. See you later today."
"Chloe."
My breath caught in my chest. I prayed that he wasn't about to say that he loved me. I knew it was starting to build to that, but it would have been too much, too early.
"I've missed you. I haven't stopped thinking about you." His voice was gravelly and sensual.