Ciara didn’t argue. She flipped her hair, sending one last condescending look in my direction before strutting out of the room.
Once she was gone, the tension in the air seemed to thicken. Jacob’s gaze softened slightly as he turned back to me. “Hanna, you don’t get it. This isn’t just some high school crush. You’re not thinking.”
I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his disappointment. But before I could say anything, Finn stepped in.
“What do you want us to do, Jacob?” Finn asked, his voice filled with frustration. “We didn’t commit a crime. We’re just trying to figure things out.”
Jacob’s jaw tightened, his eyes flicking between the two of us. “How do I know you won’t get bored of her, Finn? You’re known for that.”
Finn’s gaze never wavered. “This isn’t like that. I won’t hurt her. If you’ll just let us talk and deal with this on our own.”
Jacob studied him for a long moment before sighing, rubbing the back of his neck. “Fine,” he muttered, his voice thick with reluctance. “Talk. But you’ve got fifteen minutes. After that, my sister and I are going home.”
With that, he turned and left, leaving Finn and me alone in the silence.
Finn stood awkwardly by the couch, his hands shoved into his pockets, his eyes shifting from the unblown birthday cake to me. I had no idea where to start, but I knew we couldn’t avoid this conversation any longer.
“So,” Finn began, clearing his throat as he glanced at me, “what now?”
I let out a shaky breath, folding my arms as I stared down at the floor. “I don’t know,” I admitted softly.
Tears stung at the corners of my eyes, and I quickly blinked them away. “I’m about to lose two of my best friends because I couldn’t get my feelings straight.”
Finn’s expression softened, and he took another step closer. “Hanna, this isn’t all on you.”
I shook my head, biting down on my lip as the tears threatened to fall. “Elordi’s a great guy. He’s everything I thought I wanted.” My voice cracked, and I hated how vulnerable I sounded. “So why did I have to fall for you?”
Finn’s face tightened, and he didn’t look away. His voice was quiet when he finally spoke. “I wouldn’t have kissed you if I didn’t feel the same.”
I froze, his words sinking in like a weight in my chest. “But you’re always pushing Ciara off,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “You said you needed to focus, to stay away from distractions. How is this any different?”
Finn let out a slow breath, running a hand through his hair as he sat down on the arm of the couch, looking exhausted. “I don’t know, Hanna. I don’t have all the answers.” His eyes met mine, and the sincerity in his gaze made my heart pound. “All I know right now is that I don’t want to see you with anyone else.”
I blinked, trying to process what he was saying. The heaviness of the room seemed to lift slightly, replaced by a tension that felt different—more charged. He stood up, closing the distance between us, his eyes searching mine.
“And if I’m honest,” he added, his voice low, “all I want is to kiss you again before I blow that stupid cake out.”
A small, breathless laugh escaped me, despite the knot still lodged in my throat. I looked down, my heart racing as he moved even closer, his fingers brushing lightly against my arm. I didn’t know what to say. But I didn’t push him away, either.
“Happy birthday, Finn.”