Free Finn by Ahren Sanders Page B

delivery, and the event planner is wrapped up with the catering manager.”
    In a rush, he runs his lips over my temple again, places me next to my dad, and gives a chin jerk. Then he’s gone, Robbie on his heels.
    Instantly, I miss the warmth of his body, but smile widely and link my arm through my dad’s. “You look dapper, Dad.”
    He rolls his eyes, and the group laughs.
    “You’ll learn my little girl has a knack for strange words,” he tells the crowd.
    “Dapper is hardly a vernacular faux pas.”
    This earns a strangled giggle from Ember, who hangs her head.
    “Of course not, sweetie. Let’s go mingle a bit then find the bar.” Dad pats my hands and motions for Johnny and Reese to come along.
    “Jeff, we’d love it if you guys would join our table,” Evelyn states hopefully.
    He looks at me questioningly, and I give an approving nod.
    “Evelyn, we’d love to. Give us a bit and we’ll find you.”
    She shifts to Tim’s side and waves as we walk into the large ballroom. Once we’re far enough away, Dad stops, spins to me, and Johnny joins him at my side. He waves down the passing waiter and hands each of us a glass of wine.
    “We approve,” is all he says as he clinks his glass to mine before taking a sip.
    “I do, too,” Reese agrees and lifts her glass to her mouth. “Time to get out of safety territory. This guy is not in the safety universe.”
    “Don’t get ahead of yourselves.” I ignore her last statement.
    “I saw it. Hell, anyone in a fifty-yard radius saw it. He’s into you, completely into you, and not in an ‘I want to hook up’ way.” Johnny turns serious. “It’s still early, but from what I can tell, he’s solid. Good job, good friends, parents seems stable. I’m on board.”
    “Me too. His eyes started to catch fire when he saw you walk in. I felt the heat across the room. He almost combusted waiting for you to get through security,” Reese points out.
    And there it is… true approval from my family.
    “I like him,” I admit. “But we’ve had one date, and it included a four-year old.”
    Reese starts waving her hands. “And he put up with dipwad-ex Russell. Don’t screw this up by crawling in your head. He’s into you!”
    At the mention of my ex, Johnny stiffens and Dad coughs.
    “What?” Dad eyes me worriedly.
    “No problem, Dad.” I explain what happened Wednesday night and how Russell finally left, uncomfortably.
    “Good riddance. He was a tool,” Johnny says under his breath then lifts his hands to the air.
    I follow his gaze and see Jenna and Evelyn motioning us to their large table, and my nerves start to fray. I can’t believe I’m about to have dinner with his parents. And he’s not even around!
    Dad links his arm back through mine, and I let him lead me to the table. I look around for Finn but don’t find him anywhere. Instead, I see a bunch of guys in tuxes hovered in a corner, smiling at me warmly. One of them is the guy from the limo, who winks.
    Suddenly, I’m flushed. I’m definitely in the hot seat tonight.

Chapter 8
    Finn
    T he scent of her perfume assaults me when I tilt my head to my shoulder and remove my ear bud, the exact place Presley laid her head tonight. The feeling of her tucked against me was so right, so normal.
    The minute Tony texted me they had arrived, I made my way to the doors to see her and had to grip the wall when she exited the limo. Every part of her shined: the dress, the shoes, and the way her hair fell down in curly waves. I watched the three girls pose for a picture, and then Robbie bolted by me to get to Ember. I fought every instinct to follow him, but stayed back, trying to calm my nerves.
    When our eyes met, all bets were off. There was a clawing urgency to be near her. The moment she was close enough, I tugged her to me, not able to wait any more. The small taste of her lips still lingers, leaving me craving for more.
    Robbie pats me on the shoulder, letting me know we’re off for the night. The