Misperception (Finnegan Brothers Book 3) (4 page)

“You were at Zoe's house the other night. The party. I think I saw you at the bar.”

She smiled again. “Yeah? I didn't realize it was your house. I was invited by a friend.”

Zoe waved back at her. “Oh yeah, there's always about twenty people at my parties that I don't know.”

“Well again I'm sorry to interrupt, but I hope that Slade gets the help he needs. He was always so great to have around the office. It’s been kind of dull since he left. Enjoy your lunch.”

She turned back around to what looked like her book and I looked back at Zoe. We both kept the conversation light as we ordered and ate our meals. I asked her about Clara and she said that things were great. It was nice to hear her so happy. Things hadn’t been easy for her overseas.

“How is Micah?”

“Hot.”

“Yeah, I already knew that.”

“We went to an art gallery opening the other night. And then we had our own little party afterward.” I kept the salacious details of the hallway to myself. For now that was just a moment that Micah and I shared. I wasn't going to divulge all of my secrets.

“Girl, he brings the devil out in you.”

“Maybe. What of it?”

She reached for her drink. “Just know that when love burns hot like that it burns out quickly.”

I shook my head. “Zoe, really… what would you have me do?”

“Nothing, I’m just saying that sometimes you want the slow burn, not the fire.”

“Oh, and who would that be?”

She took a sip. “Nobody knows that but you. But I’m just saying I saw your eye when you watched Blake leave my party.”

“And?”

“And you wanted to kill him, but not for making you clean up the mess. For leaving with that hot blonde.”

I rolled my eyes. “Not true.”

Suddenly the blonde at the table behind us called for a waiter to bring her check. She sounded annoyed. As she stood I felt like I had seen her more than just at the bar, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

Zoe ignored the interruption and laughed, “Totally true. You can’t deny you still have feelings for him.”

I didn’t know what to say so I finished my drink. I wasn’t going to argue with her, and part of me didn’t know if I could.

5

On Friday night Micah and I made plans to go out to dinner. He wouldn't tell me where he was taking me, and considering he had such success last time with the jazz club I decided to let it go. But when we pulled up to a fancy French restaurant I thought I was a bit underdressed. “I don't even have heels on! Micah, I’m wearing flats.”

He smiled at me. “You look amazing. It doesn't matter what you wear, you look great in anything.”

That was every girl’s dream to hear, but my confidence was wavering. He might've thought that I looked great, but I didn't want the hostess to give me a look that said I should be dressed nicer. “Are you sure this is where you want to go?”

He looked at me again. “Yes.”

I mumbled, “I just didn't realize we were going to such a nice place.”

“You look beautiful. Now let's go.” He walked around and opened up the door for me looking suave in a long-sleeved black shirt and khakis. He even had his hair styled so that it dangled dangerously close to his eyes, just the way I liked it. He gave the valet his keys and we walked into the candlelit restaurant. As the hostess led us to our table, I noticed that the room was full of other young couples and a few businessmen doing deals. I loved people watching. I'd only been in a place like this a few times before, and it hadn't been in years. They sat us at a small table near a window where we could see the moon shining through the darkness. Micah pulled out the chair and I sat down.

Micah shook me out of my moment of peace. “Beautiful isn't it?” he whispered in my ear.

I sighed, “Yeah it really is. Thank you for bringing me here.”

He smiled. “I thought you would enjoy it.” He moved around the table and sat down. The hostess passed us our menus and sauntered off. He opened up the menu. “Now let me make a couple suggestions: the lamb here is delicious, but so is the duck. And if you're into seafood I would go with scallops.”

I smiled at him. “Come here often?”

He laughed. “My parents are friends with the owners. The chef here has cooked Thanksgiving dinner for my family for the past six years. The food is amazing.”

I rubbed my leg up against his. “So why don't you just order for me? Since you seem to know so much.”

“Done.”

He beckoned a waiter over with his hand, and as the server filled the water goblets Micah asked for a bottle of wine. Then he ordered the duck for me and a steak for himself. I continued to look out the window and enjoy the quiet of the evening. Even though the restaurant was fairly full it seemed like everyone spoke in hushed whispers. It only added to the ambience of the restaurant. It almost made it feel like you needed a password to enter. I let my imagination run wild.

I looked around the restaurant and my eyes settled on two men at a table in the back corner. “So what do you think the two men in business suits behind us are doing? Black market deal?”

Micah laughed. “Actually, I believe they are selling art. The bigger guy keeps pulling out his phone and showing pictures. I would think it’s some type of goods. I've seen the thinner guy at a couple gallery openings I’ve been to. So I would go with art or jewelry. I don't really think this is the place that you do black market organ deals.”

“But you didn't say it wasn't the place to sell black market art.”

He laughed. “Touché. They do look a little shady don’t they?”

I continued to gaze around the restaurant to find another set of people to discuss when my eyes settled on the blonde from the pub the other day. Harli was her name. And I found myself in taking a breath when I saw who she was with. “Blake.” I said just above a whisper.

Micah cocked his head to the side, obviously confused. “I didn't catch that.”

I shook my head and tried not to stare. “Catch what?” I tried to shoot him a dazzling smile to deflect his attention from what I just said. But my eyes wandered once more and he turned his head around to see who I was looking at. I was caught.

“Isn't that the guy that was texting and calling you on Saturday night?”

I paused trying to figure out a better story than I had, but lies had gotten me into so much trouble before that I just decided to tell the truth. “Yeah he's an old friend.”

He nodded. “An old friend? Like the old friend that was on the roof screaming at you?” This was taking a turn for the worse very quickly.

“Micah, that was in the past. Don't worry about it. People do stupid things when they’re drunk. We’ve all had those nights, right?”

He looked behind him one more time but he didn't say anything. I hoped I would be able to continue to enjoy the evening without focusing on the weight of the jealousy that was sitting in the pit of my stomach. But I couldn’t help thinking about them. Suddenly I remembered why Harli had stuck out in my mind from the part. She was the girl that Blake had left with. The girl that he probably fucked on the way home. Super. And she had heard Zoe’s assessment of my feelings for Blake, even better.

Our food arrived quickly and the chef came out to greet us. “Micah, so good to see you. And this lovely lady here is…”

I looked at Harli again. She was flipping her hair and laughing like an idiot. She was gross. Probably a bottle blonde—there was no way it was natural. Micah called my name. “Lena, meet Allen. Lena…”

I looked up at the chef standing next to the table. “Oh I’m sorry, hello. The food is absolutely delicious. Thank you so much for having us.” I felt dumb for not paying attention, so I really tried to turn on the charm.

He smiled at me and shook my hand. He had on a perfectly clean chef’s jacket and soft brown eyes that told me that he was a caring individual. “Lena, it is my pleasure to have you in this restaurant. Please make sure you order dessert.”

I smiled back at him. “I'm sure we will. But actually, you should send out whatever you would like, I'm willing to try anything tonight.” Once again I rubbed my leg against Micah trying to focus completely on him. He looked at me and winked. The chef walked away and our conversation started to flow more easily as Micah poured me a second glass of wine.

“Are ready for the wedding?” He asked as I picked up my newly full glass.

I had already told him about the dress fitting in a text yesterday but we hadn't really talked about the actual event. I considered inviting him, at least the rehearsal dinner, but I thought Mackenzie would feel left out so I hadn't. But there was a party after the reception that I thought he might be interested in going to with me.

“I don't know, I guess I'm ready. I mean I hope I am. I'm not really sure what it's going be like to have a stepmother, but I guess I'll get used to it.”

He nodded understandingly. “I’m sure you will. You seem to be doing great.”

I tried to muster up a smile but I knew that only half my lip curled. I still wasn't sure about expanding my family, but Charity was starting to grow on me, and if I could at least tolerate her that would be enough for now. I looked over to Blake’s table once again and found it empty. Perfect, now I could focus on Micah completely. “You know I was thinking about the party after the reception, and I was wondering…”

“Lena, this must be the new boyfriend. I'm Blake, Blake Finnegan.” I hadn’t even noticed him approach us. Blake was standing next to our table with his blonde idiot directly behind him. I thought for a moment that they must have met through Slade, and I wondered how he felt about that.

Blake's hand was hanging in midair and Micah watched it carefully like it could be a weapon. After a moment he stood and put his napkin on the table, shaking Blake's hand vigorously. “Micah. You must be the old boyfriend.”

Blake smiled devilishly. “You’ve got that right. You like books, like Lena does.” This time he looked at me. I tried to shoot daggers at him with my eyes. Harli stood behind him like a deer in the headlights. Clearly she was uncomfortable, and deep down I was glad. I hope this would ruin their little date, because they were killing mine.

“Lena, have you met Harli? She and Slade used to work together.”

I tried to smile. “Actually we've met. She told me all about her and Slade's relationship.” I tried to make relationship sound like more than it had been but it was clear that there were no secrets between the two of them.

Harli decided this would be her opportune time to enter the conversation. “Nice to see you again, Lena, and it's nice to meet you, Micah. We were just heading out for some drinks—the food here is a little how do I say…” She dropped her voice to a whisper, “Not our taste? You two should join us.” Was she kidding? Or was she really that dumb?

“Actually, I know the chef. The food here is exactly to our taste, so no thank you.” Micah was smooth but he couldn't take the edge out of his voice when speaking to them, and the awkward situation was getting heated.

“Well you two have a wonderful evening. I'm sure I'll see you around, Lena.” Blake winked at me as he took Harli's hand and led her away. I saw her look over her shoulder at me one last time before they disappeared through the door.

I was fuming. “How could she say such an awful thing about Allen like that? What a freaking idiot! I mean God just because this isn’t a hamburger doesn't mean that it’s not good food. Some people just have no taste. Ugh and what was she wearing? I mean this is a nice place. She had no class.” I crossed my arms.

Micah wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Listen, I think we should skip dessert.”

My jealousy had come out, and he had noticed. Shit. “No Micah, really I'm having such a great time.”

“Yeah so was I. But it's time to say good night, Lena.”

He paid our check and drove me home. And as many times as I try to put my hand on his leg or say something flirtatious he just blew me off. So finally I gave up. When he dropped me off at my door he gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and for the second time since I had been with Micah, I doubted that he would ever call again.

“I'll call you tomorrow?”

He nodded. “I look forward to it.”

6

I unlocked the door and made my way up to my bedroom but I was surprised to find Mackenzie sleeping in a little ball in my bed.

“Mackenzie, what are you doing in here?”

She turned over and stretched. “I was waiting for you.”

I took off my coat and shoes. “Why?”

“I talked to Mom. She definitely has a boyfriend. She's going to tell you when we get home.”

I sat down on the edge the bed. “Oh.”

She moved over to me and sat cross-legged and so that our bodies were just barely touching. “I wanted to tell you before I went to bed but I fell asleep. How was your date?”

I rolled my eyes, “Shitty. Micah and I saw Blake and his new girlfriend at the restaurant. I don't know, when I saw her I just felt…”

She finished my sentence for me, “Like burning her in the fiery depths of hell?”

“Ha, something like that. Do I look that bad?”

“No, you just look jealous.”

I sighed. “Yeah. I know I shouldn't. I know that Micah is a great guy and I want to be with him, but there's just something about Blake. And seeing him with that skinny blonde bitch just made me want to throw something, preferably at her.”

“Hey you leave us skinny blondes alone. It's not her fault that she's with him, it's your fault that you let him go.”

Was that really the truth? Was I jealous of her because she had what I wanted?

“You want to sleep in here with me tonight? It's a big bed.” Suddenly I felt very alone.

Mackenzie smiled at me. “Well I'm already here. Are you okay?”

I shrugged. “I will be. In the morning I've got to call Micah. I have to make this right.”

She stroked the back of my hair. “What are you going to do after you call him?”

I chewed on my lower lip. “I don't know Kenz, I don't know.”

I hardly slept at all. I tossed and turned as I thought about Slade in rehab and my feelings for Blake, and Micah standing alone in the dark street. My heart was torn between all of these men for completely different reasons. By the time I had finally gotten some sleep my alarm went off at nine. Mackenzie was sleeping so soundly next to me, an alarm couldn't even wake her up. I quickly turned it off, grabbed my cell phone, and walked into our bathroom. I shut the door softly behind me and dialed Micah's number. This wasn't going to be easy, but it was the right thing to do. I thought we could meet for breakfast and talk. Maybe it would help me sort out my feelings.

“Morning.” He sounded groggy, I wondered if I woke him up.

“Micah, we need to meet.”

I heard radio silence at the other end of the line. He knew what was coming. “Why are we meeting, Lena? You and I both know what's really going on here.”

I put my head down in defeat. He was right. We both did know what was going on, I still had feelings for Blake Finnegan. I was screwed.

“Listen Micah, I'm really sorry, but I just feel like I'm deceiving you if I let this go any further. I really thought I was over him, but I'm not.”

I heard him sigh on the other end. “Yeah I figured that when we saw him at the restaurant. I couldn’t shake what you said about the girl. How you said nothing about his ridiculous behavior.”

I started to cry, I felt so defeated. “I am so sorry. Really you have no idea how much I want you to be the guy for me, but my heart just isn't in it.”

He paused. “I know. I wish you wanted me too, Lena, you’re an amazing girl. I hope that asshole realizes how good he has it. Being chased by a like girl like you is every man’s dream.”

“Micah,” I started but he stopped me.

“Bye, Lena. Have a nice summer.”

The call ended. I sat down on the edge of the bathtub. I had just let go of the man that might be the best thing that ever happened to me. And I had no idea if Blake would want me. I held the phone in my hands and touched the gallery button. There, hidden among years of college memories, was a single picture of Blake and me. He had his arm around me and we were both smiling like fools. That was before I broke his heart. Before I slept with his brother. Before I ruined us.

I went back to the home screen to his last text.
I need you now.

Now I needed him. I needed Blake Finnegan. I pressed call and waited as it rang.

I took a deep breath waiting for him to answer and it hurt. My heart may be partially broken.

“Hello?”

My breath caught in my chest. It wasn’t Blake.

It wasn’t fucking Blake.

It was a girl.
His girl.

Fucking Harli.

###

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