by Azzi , Gina
Carter grins down at me. “Don’t worry about the house. You’re going to do great in Edinburgh, Dais. This company is lucky to have you.”
I scoff at his words, feeling the blush as it works across my cheeks. “We’ll see about that.”
“And Finn is lucky to be working with you.” Denver throws out, his eyes boring into mine as he searches for a sign to understand what’s going on with Finn.
Rolling my eyes, I glance at my watch, ignoring his obvious attempt to get me to spill information. “We better get going.”
“Not even going to bite?” Jax jokes, a rumble of laughter working its way up from his chest.
“Finn and I are friends.” I repeat, not bothering to glance at any of my brothers as I sense them all sharing a look over my head.
“We’re ready to head out when you are.” Carter finally says.
“Let’s go.” I stuff my cell phone with the unanswered message from Finn into the beautiful Louis Vuitton Neverfull bag he bought me, my heart skipping a beat at the thoughtful gift, and follow my brothers’ downstairs.
Denver carries my suitcases out to Carter’s SUV, as I turn in the foyer of my home, taking in the surroundings and spending a long moment memorizing everything in case it’s all different the next time I’m here.
The worn wooden floors and lumpy cushions on the couches. The swinging door to the kitchen and the rickety stairs. It isn’t much to behold but it’s home. My home. The home my brothers fought to maintain my entire childhood, so I wouldn’t face the instability of the foster system.
I let out a long sigh, my fingertips trailing along the chipping paint on the wall.
Good-byes are always difficult, bittersweet. But this good-bye, it is different. Carter was right; this time, I don’t know if I’ll ever move back here on a permanent basis. I know it’s okay to explore the world and collect new experiences, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt to move on.
Still, this is my Year of No Fear.
“See you later, home.” I say, biting my lower lip as emotion clogs my throat.
Then I stiffen my spine, square my shoulders, and close the front door firmly behind me. Exhaling the morning air, I settle into the backseat of Carter’s SUV, and watch out the window as we head toward the Savannah airport and my hometown fades away.
* * *
When the plane’s wheels touch down in Edinburgh, my stomach is a mess of nerves, anxiety, and an expanding bubble of excitement. I’m here. I’m really doing this.
Turning on my phone, I grin at the barrage of messages appearing on my screen, my anxiety melting and a genuine smile crossing my face. My stopover in New York was so short I didn’t have time to check in with my family, as I literally raced from one plane to the next.
Jax: Let us know when you land.
Carter: We miss you already.
Denver: Call Sierra’s mom. She keeps asking me if you like pot roast or turkey???
Sierra: Welcome to beautiful Scotland, my bestie! I miss you being in the same time zone as me already. Call me—or literally anyone in my family—if you need ANYTHING. Denver and I are heading back to New York and my schedule is clear to talk whenever you have time. Love you!
Finn: Hey love. I’m in arrivals.
My heart stutters, almost shutting down completely at the last message. Finn is here?
Again, the question that plagues me: why?
Why, oh why? I thought I’d grab a cab to my new apartment and unpack. Have a quiet night in my new life, maybe crack a bottle of wine, and explore my neighborhood for a dinner spot.
But now, Finn’s here.
Gone is the jet-lag. Instead, I’m wide-awake, hyper even. While part of me panics at the thought of seeing Finn when I look less than my best, think greasy hair and crusty eyes, a much larger part of me does a happy dance that he’s here. For me. Or for Anderson PR? Or because Sierra asked him to pick me up?
Thoughts of our last encounter flood back, kicking my nerves into high gear. The surreptitious glances, the sweet, reverent kiss, followed by the sexy, desire-fueled make-out session in my kitchen. The feel of his biceps bunching under my touch, the smooth planes of his back, the narrow taper to his waist. His clear, bright blue eyes and dark hair. The way his kiss swallowed me whole, transporting me to another place entirely. I could lose myself in Finn; I want to lose myself in Finn.
He manages to throw me off guard, whether he’s dressed in one of his attorney power suits, or sipping coffee in my kitchen with a pair of reindeer pajama pants riding low on his hips.
I’ve crushed on him for far too long, becoming breathless and nervous, like a pre-teen girl, in his company. The tables turned over Christmas. But at the end of it, Finn reminded me that nothing would happen between us. Sure, he said it with a sincere apology and a flicker of regret in his eyes, but nonetheless, he put me back into my place—colleague/surrogate cousin.
And I made a New Year’s resolution to live fearlessly. It’s time for me to stiffen my backbone around Finn Anderson and proceed with our friendship, or whatever we’re calling it, on my terms.
Fluffing the roots of my hair with my fingers and smearing on some lip gloss, I stand from my seat and shoulder my carry-on.
Welcome to Edinburgh, Daisy.
Read One Last Chance now!
Also by Gina Azzi
The Kane Brothers Series:
Rescuing Broken (Jax’s Story)
Recovering Beauty (Carter’s Story)
Reclaiming Brave (Denver’s Story)
My Christmas Wish (A Kane Family Christmas)
Finding Love in Scotland Series:
My Christmas Wish (Prequel)
One Last Chance
This Time Around
One Great Love
The College Pact Series:
The Last First Game (Lila’s Story )
Kiss Me Goodnight in Rome (Mia’s Story )
All the While (Maura’s Story)
Me + You (Emma’s Story)
The Regretful Lie Duet:
Broken Lies
Twisted Truths
Standalone
Corner of Ocean and Bay
About the Author
Gina Azzi writes Contemporary Romance with relatable, genuine characters experiencing real life love, friendships, and challenges. She is the author of The Kane Brothers Series, The College Pact Series (re-launching summer 2019), and Corner of Ocean and Bay. All of her books can be read as stand-alones.
A Jersey girl at heart, Gina has spent her twenties traveling the world, living and working abroad, before settling down in Ontario, Canada with her husband and three children. She's a voracious reader, daydreamer, and coffee enthusiast who loves meeting new people. Say hey to her on social media or through www.ginaazzi.com.
For more information, connect with Gina at:
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @gina_azzi
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Website: www.ginaazzi.com
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