Page 17 of A Violet Obsession

“You know him?”

“Know of him.”

“Is that bad?”

Finn studies me. “Depends.”

“On what?”

“Whether he thinks you have something he wants.”

Fantastic.

“What’s your plan?”

The question catches me off guard.

I don’t have one. Not a real one.

“My plan is to figure out my next move without putting the people I care about at risk.” I take a deep breath and tell myself it’s for the best. “Including your sister. Which is why I think I should keep my distance from Emma for a while.”

His frown deepens. “I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to.” I pull my coat off the chair. “You came here to find out if I’m a threat to her. I’m telling you I’m not, but I’m removing myself from the equation so you don’t have to worry about it.”

“That’s not necess⁠—”

“It is, though.” I stand, and this time he doesn’t stop me. “You don’t trust me. I get it.”

I shrug into my coat and let myself look at him one more time. At the eyes that used to make my teenage heart do backflips. He’s beautiful, and he’s nothing like the boy I remember, and both of those things hurt in a way I wasn’t prepared for.

“Here’s what that article doesn’t say.” I sling my bag over my shoulder, unable to walk away without at least defending myself a little. “They let me go because I didn’t do anything. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time… which also happens to be the story of my life.” My chest is heaving, but it feels good to let the trapped frustration have a voice. “I’m not the little girl you remember, Finn. And I won’t sit here and beg for your approval because you think I should.”

Something crosses his face, but I’m too upset to identify it.

“I’m not sure what Emma thought you could possibly do, anyway.” I want the words to sting, to make him feel as small as he made me feel, but instead I just sound tired.

His eyes bore into mine. “I can help.”

“That’s sweet, Finn. But you’re off the hook.” I make sure my skepticism shows. “I can see that you’re obviously in shape.” Understatement of the century. “But you don’t have the skill set to help me.”

“You’d be surprised.”

I don’t bother to answer and walk away.

“Wait.”

There is such a note of command in his voice that I actually stop, and I hate myself for it.

“One more thing.”

I don’t move. I’m not giving him the satisfaction of walking back to the table. It’s two steps at most, but I’m feeling petty.

“Why did you get back in contact with my sister after all these years? You’re a stranger now. What do you want from her?”

My brows bunch for a second before I understand what he’s really asking, and the pain hits so hard I feel it behind my sternum.

Why did I think I could ever be Lily Stewart again?