Can I Lean On You | Finley & Harlyn #2

Chapter 11

Harlyn

I jolt awake when my bedroom door bangs open and someone yells "Happy Birthday!"

It takes me far too long to orient myself, sit up, and make out who's standing in my room this early in the morning. It's Elly. Of course it's Elly.

"What the -"

"Diana let us in," she says, sweeping farther into the room. Finley appears behind her, looking a bit more sheepish than Elly at busting into my room and waking me from a dead sleep. "We both work and have classes today and won't be seeing you until later, so we thought we'd come surprise you early." Elly shoves a cup of something warm into my hands and sets a donut on a paper towel in my lap.

Sure enough, Elly is in slacks and black and white striped button up shirt, looking ridiculously professional for her new office assistant position. She shoves my legs over and plants herself at the end of my bed. Finley stays at the door, leaning against the jam and smiling.

I'm still trying to get my brain to catch up, so I take a sip of what turns out to be tea and a bite of my donut before I'm able to speak.

"Well, this is...a nice surprise." I move over on the bed and pat the empty spot for Finley to sit. He sinks next to me and snags my donut to take a bite. "Hey. That's mine."

He shrugs. "There are more downstairs." He plants a sticky kiss on my cheek.

"You stole the birthday boy's donut."

"I stole the birthday boy's heart, too, and I don't see him complaining." He shrugs again and Elly snorts around a bite of her donut.

"Actually..." I snatch the donut back, ignoring his indignant whine. "I gave you my heart. I didn't give you my donut. If there are more downstairs, go get your own."

Finley raises both eyebrows at me. "Feisty."

"Are you two done flirting? It's too early for this," Elly grumbles.

"You knew what you were getting, bringing Finley with you."

"Well, I have to go anyway. I really do have work soon." She slides off the bed and presses kisses on both of our heads.

"Short visit. Sad," I pout.

She waves her hand at me. "Don't worry. I'll see you later, remember? We're taking you to dinner."

"Right. Thanks for the donuts! And the surprise!"

"You're welcome! Happy birthday, babes." She waves again as she wanders out the door.

Finley settles farther into my pillows, and I turn to stare at his profile. It's been less than a week since our first "proper date." I still feel bad about making it awkward at the restaurant. Despite all of Finley's reassurances that it's ok that I'm still slightly uncomfortable about being out, I haven't stopped thinking about it. I thought I was alright. I thought I'd come to terms with it. I thought... There's nothing I'd rather do than take Finley out and show him off and brag to the world that I have the cutest, sweetest boyfriend ever.

And then I did that. And for most of the time, it was totally fine. When the waiter came over...it was like my brain sent out a DANGER message to the rest of my body, even though the waiter had been nothing but kind. I still cannot figure out why I reacted like that, why I was nervous the rest of the night that someone would see us kissing in the square or holding hands while I walked him home. I've been incredibly lucky that the people in my life have been so accepting. Maybe I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

But today is my birthday! I'm going to hope that work goes quickly so I can get to the celebrations Elly has planned tonight. And, of course, right now I'm going to enjoy my few minutes with Finley before he has to rush off to class. Even if that means sharing my donut.