The Italian's Fake Fiancée

55

"You and your boss seem close, are you friends?" Finn said as soon as he sat down in his seat. They were in a restaurant which Paige learned had opened recently.

"I'm sure that's not why you brought me here." Paige smiled as she sat down.

It has gotten darker since when they left Leo in the parking lot, but the chandeliers in the restaurant made everywhere seem bright. Paige looked around her. Most of the people in the restaurant were beautifully dressed in casual wear. She must admit she was the only one dressed in work clothes. It made her a little uneasy, but that was all.

"You are right, that's not why I brought you here." She heard Finn say, and as soon as he finished saying that, he lifted a hand and signaled a waiter to come. When he turned, he smiled at Paige and reached for her hand. Paige withdrew her hand under the table. He stared at her but said nothing. "I have missed you. You left for Italy without informing me. I had wanted to see you."

"That isn't entirely true," Paige sighed. Something about the restaurant did not sit well with her. Or perhaps was it the side they were sitting on? She looked around her.

They had been offered a table by the west side, and from there, she noted the hardwood floor, the round table with high-back chairs.

But what was more peculiar was the fact, most of the diners were in a pair of two. And the way they acted towards one another... Paige ruckled her brows. Did he bring her to a spot notorious for couples?

No. Surely he didn't know.

"I had texted you to let you know I was traveling," Paige said. "Besides, everything happened so fast, I didn't even know till the last minute."

"What happened so fast?" He leaned forward. "I thought you went on a business trip? You mean to tell me that asshole of your boss didn't inform you of your trip till the very last minute."

Paige had always known Finn didn't like her boss. Finn had never met Leo before, aside from today. But hated Leo simply because he was the man she loved.

She can understand he couldn't stand that, but she won't sit still and watch him badmouth her boss.

She won't care if he was hurting or not.

"I will appreciate it if you will refrain from cursing my boss."

That stilled Finn, and he pulled his hand behind his neck and rubbed. A grave expression on his face. "I'm sorry, i didn't know what came over me. You do forgive me right."

Paige didn't know how to answer that question.

Just then, the waiter arrived, handing them their menus. Paige flipped hers and used it to cover half of her face.

"Hey, hey, hey," Finn cooed simultaneously, trying to get her attention. When she met his gaze, he muttered, "I'm sorry, okay. I'm sorry I made that crass statement about your boss. That was very thoughtless of me."

And Paige could tell he meant it. And that was why she couldn't stay angry with him for long. He was adorable.

Seeing her smile. Finn heaved out a sigh and relaxed. "I thought perhaps we should hang out today and watch a movie or something after we are done eating."

The waiter came to take their orders so Paige didn't have to answer immediately.

She has been thinking about it.
The more time she spent with Finn, the more his feelings for her grew. She didn't want to keep getting his hopes up, especially since she knew she wasn't going to date him. He might act like he was happy with the way things were, and he was content being just her friend, but Paige could tell he was lying.