Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 128211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
I was still lost in my wishful thoughts when Finn stood up.
His chair scraped back loud against the stone, pulling everyone’s attention. My brows furrowed as he placed both hands flat on the table, his shoulders squared.
He looked like he was going into battle, and my hackles rose like I was his second in command.
“I’d like to say something,” Finn said, voice calm but carrying weight.
“Cool,” Gisella said flatly. “No one cares.”
She turned back around, but Bernard sucked his teeth and waved her off. “Pipe down, Gisella. Let the man have his go.”
“He can speak all he wants. I won’t be listening,” she said, crossing her arms defiantly.
Bernard rolled his eyes and then smiled politely at Finn. “Go on, love.”
“I know there’s been a lot of speculation this season. About me. About Ember. About Gisella,” Finn started, his eyes scanning everyone at the table. “And I know we didn’t exactly do a good job of controlling the rumors or the optics.”
A ripple of unease passed through the crew. It was the ugly beast we’d all been ignoring since the morning everyone found me and Finn in the guest cabin. We’d shoved the thing into a closet and latched the door, acting like there was nothing more to discuss even when we all knew there was.
But now, there were not guests on board to tend to, no charters to run, no jobs to do.
And Finn was apparently done holding his tongue.
“Before the reunion happens — before you all hear it from producers or see it edited and twisted into something it’s not — I want you to hear the truth from me.” Finn’s gaze flicked to me, warm and steady. “From us.”
My heart slammed against my ribs. He looked so confident and sure, but I was near positive he was barking up the wrong tree with this crew. They wouldn’t listen. They wouldn’t want to listen.
“I’m sorry for the way we hurt you,” Finn said, addressing the table. “It wasn’t our intention to have things blow up the way they did, to make a mess of a crew that had become friends. Believe us or not, that night was the first between us, and we intended to tell all of you that next day. We just never got the chance.”
Gisella scoffed, her arms folded, body rigid at the other end of the table. Finn addressed her directly next.
“I’m especially sorry to you, G.”
That made her tight expression slip.
“I know it must have been painful, finding us the way you did, and you shouldn’t have had to experience that.”
Gisella was quiet as Finn looked back to the crew, that apology weighing heavy in the air.
“But I want to be clear about one thing.” His voice sharpened slightly. “When I crossed the line with Ember, it was after I ended things with Gisella. Not before. I owed her honesty — and I gave it, before anything happened.”
The table erupted in whispers, eyes snapping to Gisella.
“Is that true?” Bernard asked bluntly, leaning forward with interest.
All heads turned to her.
Gisella’s face flushed a dark red, her mouth opening and closing without a sound. She finally shrugged, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “Depends on how you define ‘ended.’”
“That’s not fair, G,” Finn said, his tone still even but firmer now. “I was clear. You knew where we stood — probably well before I put words to it, if we’re being honest. I hadn’t touched you all season. We hadn’t shared more than a public kiss that I know you knew was performed on my part.”
Gisella’s jaw clenched.
“There was also a note that I left for Ember explaining all of that,” Finn added. “I slipped it under her door after the crew beach day, but for some reason, it never made it to her.”
Gisella shrugged again. “I don’t know why you’re looking at me when you say that. I couldn’t care less about the stupid love notes you wrote to my roommate.”
I sighed. There was no way she was ever going to admit she’d taken it — even though we all knew she had.
“Look, I’m sorry for the way it all unfolded,” Finn said, his voice softening. He shifted, pinning Gisella with a look full of regret. “While I didn’t cheat on you, I did let things continue between us for far too long when I knew my heart wasn’t in it. I was trying to do the right thing — whatever that is. I was trying to untangle the messiest knot of all time, but I shouldn’t have made you believe I still had feelings for you when I knew I didn’t. I’m sorry I hurt you. Truly, I am.” He looked at everyone else then. “I’m sorry I bollocksed the energy we had on board. We were a family, and I regret that I ruined that.”