Finn

“I’d bet he’s making those plans right now if it puts that look on your face. Fucker is lucky to have you.”

She blushes and tries to hide her face, which she does often.

“Enough about me. I want to know about you.”

“Simple. Working and school. Decided to take two courses this summer so I can finish in December.”

“You don’t want to talk about the fact that you were SHOT AT a few days ago in that bank robbery attempt downtown?”

Fucking Ro

bbie and his big mouth.

“Babe, it wasn’t that bad. The guy was a shaky motherfucker. He couldn’t hit me if he tried. I had it covered.”

“Says the guy who flinched when I hugged him. You can’t hide it from me. Robbie said you bruised your ribs when he shot at you. He could have killed you!” she yells.

“I’ve survived worse than a few bruised ribs, Ember. No junkie was going to get the honor of taking me out. Promise you, I had it under control, and I had Robbie. We make a good team.”

She looks at me skeptically then relaxes her shoulders.

“Since you’re such a badass, you’ll be taking a permanent position with Hayes Securities, right?” Her eyes turn sad and plead with me silently.

Good way to segue into a subject I’ve been avoiding with everyone.

Fucking Robbie again. He’s the only person I’ve told that I’m thinking of leaving Nashville for a while. Coming back after our accident, and discharging from the Marines, was the best plan at the time. I enrolled in school for my business degree and took part-time work with Hayes Security.

The work is interesting, and I’m good at it. But in the last few months, I’ve been itching to get away and see what other cities may have to offer.

It’s not that I don’t love my family and friends in Nashville, but recently, I’ve had a nagging feeling that there’s more out there for me.

“Ember—”

“Don’t answer that now. I’ll support every decision you make, but I can’t imagine not having you here. You’re special to me. To us.”

“How about we cross that bridge when we come to it. No decisions have been made.”

“Fair enough. I’ll do everything in my power to keep you here.”

She tries to say the last part quietly, but I hear every word.

While we eat, she fills me in on everything from her work and new clothing designs, to her crazy cousin and his partner. When we’re done, I lean back against the bench and look at her expectantly.

“So, I have an ulterior motive for asking you to meet me here today.” She plays with her wedding rings and gives me a guilty look.

“You don’t say?” I raise an eyebrow at her. “The fact that you asked me to come alone and not tell Robbie was my first clue.”

“That’s not fair! I really do want to keep updated on your life.”

“You could have called.”

“Fine! I need your advice. You’re the only one I trust with this. Come with me.” She throws away the trash, then reaches for my hand.

I allow her to lead me across the grass to the outfield where the dogs are playing. We stop at the edge, and she links her arm through mine.

“Aren’t they awesome?” she says softly.

“The dogs?”