Deadly Illusions(73)

“I’m going to ask you something, and I’m only going to ask it one more time,” Emma said. “Well, I hope I only ask it one more time.”

Finn waited.

“If you want to go, if you think you want to go, I want you to go now,” she said. “It will just be harder later.”

“I don’t want to go,” Finn said. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“I want you to be sure.”

“I am sure.”

“Okay.”

Finn turned back to the television. “I really like the Asian doctor. She’s sassy. She reminds me of Mandy.”

Emma tightened her fingers on Finn’s shirt. “She’s my favorite, too.”

“I like that Alex guy, too,” Finn continued, going for normalcy. “He’s got a great attitude.”

“He does. He kind of looks like you.”

“He’s a handsome guy,” Finn said, rubbing his hand over Emma’s back. “You know who I don’t like?”

“Who?”

“Meredith,” Finn said. “Her voice bugs me, and she’s a horrible crier.”

“I get that.”

Finn kissed Emma’s forehead. “You know what else?”

“What?” She loved hearing him talk.

“I’m going to keep telling you that I’m staying as long as you need to hear it,” he said. “Someday, someday soon, I hope you believe it.”

“I want to believe it.”

“Then someday you’ll believe it.”

They were silent for a few minutes, Emma rubbing circles on Finn’s chest while he mimicked the motion on her back.

“Finn?”

“Yeah.”

“I kind of like Meredith,” she admitted.

“Yeah, we’ll talk more about that later,” Finn said. “If you like Meredith, there are few actresses in Mandy’s shark movies you’re going to love.”

Emma sighed as she tightened her arm around Finn’s waist. The day had been horrible. She was sure nightmares would follow. The light that would wash away the dreams was next to her, though, and for that she was thankful.

They had miles to go before they slept – but she wouldn’t be traversing those miles alone now. She was sure of that.

For now, that was enough.