Lily's POV

After the surprise visit to Madrid, Jen and I headed back on Sunday, much to the dismay of our boyfriends. Kai hid Jen's luggage, and Finn snatched my passport—honestly, you'd think their mental age was eight. They grinned like mischievous schoolboys caught with their hands in the cookie jar, and I couldn't decide whether to laugh or roll my eyes.

"So, girls," Kam calls out as Jen and I walk into the apartment, her voice teasing and full of curiosity, "How were your men?"

I plop down on the couch, tossing my bag onto the floor beside me. "Like overgrown children," I groan, stretching my arms over my head. "Finn thought it would be hilarious to hide my passport. I swear he lives to drive me crazy."

Jen chuckles, sliding her coat off and hanging it on the back of a chair. "Kai wasn't much better. He hid my luggage and played dumb when I asked where it was. I think they both need a serious lesson in adulting."

Kam smirks, leaning against the kitchen counter with a knowing look. "Sounds like someone's afraid of letting their girls go. That's a good sign, right?"

"Or they just want to annoy us into staying," I mutter, but a smile tugs at my lips despite myself. I can't help but think about the way I'm hopelessly in love with this man – fuck, is this what it feels like to be so down bad ... I love it and him.

Kam raises an eyebrow, her gaze flicking between us. "So, are we talking grand romantic gestures or...?"

Jen and I exchange a glance, and I burst out laughing. "If hiding passports and luggage counts as grand romantic gestures, then sure, let's go with that."

"Hey, some people would kill for that kind of attention," Kam teases, but there's a warmth in her tone, like she knows exactly what we're feeling. "Besides, it's kinda sweet in a ridiculous, infuriating way."

I roll my eyes, though my smile betrays me. "Yeah, yeah. Sweet. That's one word for it."

Jen nudges me with her elbow. "Come on, you know you love it. You wouldn't trade Finn for anything, even with all his quirks."

I sigh, feigning exasperation. "Fine, you're right. He's lucky he's cute."

Kam laughs, crossing her arms over her chest. "Ah, the trials and tribulations of young love. Can't live with them, can't live without them."

"Pretty much," I agree, sinking deeper into the cushions. "But honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way."

*****
Four weeks later

"Great job on the report, Lily," Katy says, grabbing the files from my desk as she heads toward the door.

This past month of my internship has been incredible, and I can't help but hope that they'll offer me a job once I graduate. Every day here feels like a step closer to that goal, I just wish Dad was here to see this.

"Thanks," I reply with a smile, starting to pack up my things. "See you tomorrow."

I finish gathering my things, slinging my bag over my shoulder as I head toward the elevator. The ride down feels like it takes forever, the numbers above the door ticking down at a snail's pace. Finally, with a soft ding, the doors slide open, and I step out into the lobby. My footsteps echo on the marble floor, the sound bouncing off the high ceilings, making the space feel even more cavernous.

Pulling out my phone, I quickly text Finn. He's supposed to arrive back in Harrington this evening, and I'm counting down the minutes until I can see him.

Me: Hi Lovebug !! Can't wait to see you soon, love you loads xx

Pushing open the glass doors, I step outside. The crisp November air is a sharp contrast to the warmth of the office, a chill that seeps through my jacket and sends a shiver down my spine. I'm lost in my thoughts when suddenly someone bumps into me, jarring me back to reality. My phone slips from my hand and clatters to the ground.

"My apologies," a gruff voice mutters.

I glance up to see a man with a worn-out baseball cap pulled low over his eyes. His shoulders are hunched, and he has a rough, unshaven look about him. Something about him feels off, his presence making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

"It's okay," I say cautiously, bending down to pick up my phone. I try to keep my tone light, but there's a wariness in my voice that I can't quite hide. The man lingers for a moment, his gaze heavy and unsettling, before he turns and walks away without another word.

I breathe a sigh of relief as he disappears around the corner, but the uneasy feeling lingers. I quickly check my phone for any damage—thankfully, it's just a little scuffed. I slip it back into my bag and start to head toward the corner of the building, eager to put some distance between myself and the strange encounter.

As I round the corner, my heart lifts at the sight of Finn leaning casually against the side of the building, his signature smirk playing on his lips. He's wearing his favorite grey hoodie, the one that fits him just right and his black puffer jacket.

"Hey there, butterfly," he says, pushing off the wall and opening his arms.

A wide grin spreads across my face, and all the tension from the encounter melts away. I rush over and throw my arms around him, feeling the warmth and comfort of his embrace.

"I thought you weren't getting back until later!" I exclaim, my voice muffled against his chest.

Finn chuckles, pulling back just enough to look down at me. "I wanted to surprise you. Figured you could use a little pick-me-up after a long day."

"You have no idea," I sigh, relaxing into him. His presence is like a soothing balm, calming the nerves that had been prickling since I left the office. "I missed you."

"I missed you too," he says softly, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "You ready to get out of here?"

We walk down the street, hand in hand, until we find a small, cozy Italian restaurant tucked away on a quiet corner. It's one of those charming, hole-in-the-wall places with checkered tablecloths and the warm smell of baking dough wafting through the air. Exactly what I need tonight. Finn opens the door for me with a playful bow, and I laugh as I step inside, the heat from the ovens chasing away the November chill.

We pick a table by the window, where the streetlights cast a soft glow over the room, and slide into the booth across from each other. The menu is simple, but everything sounds delicious. We take a few minutes to decide, finally settling on a classic pepperoni for Finn and pesto pasta for me. He flags down the waiter, and soon enough, our order is in.

As we wait for our food, I lean back in my seat, my eyes wandering over to Finn. He's drumming his fingers on the table in that familiar rhythm he always does when he's lost in thought. It's a simple habit, but one I've grown to love. His presence is like a warm blanket on a cold November evening—a steady calm in the chaos of my life.

"So ..." I say, breaking the comfortable silence between us. "Mr. Big Shot Soccer Player, how does it feel having a spot on Atlético Madrid, hmm?"

Finn chuckles, his eyes lighting up with that spark of confidence I adore. Before he can answer, the waitress arrives with our food, carefully setting down each plate. The smell is intoxicating, but Finn's smile steals my attention.

He looks back at me with a grin and counters smoothly, "How does it feel being the prettiest girl in this entire restaurant?"

I feel my cheeks heat up instantly, and I duck my head to hide my blush. The waitress catches my flustered reaction and chuckles softly as she walks away, leaving us to our moment.

"Finn," I mumble, trying to suppress a smile and failing miserably. "You can't just say things like that."

He laughs, a warm, deep sound that makes my heart flutter. "Why not? It's true."

I roll my eyes playfully, but inside, I'm melting. He always knows how to get under my skin in the best way possible. I pick up my fork, trying to focus on my plate instead of the way he's looking at me, like I'm the only person in the room. The air between us feels electric, charged with unspoken words and a connection that's hard to ignore.

"Honestly, I'm happy, Lily." His smile widens as he continues, his voice full of excitement and passion. He starts talking about the camp, about what comes next, even though I already know all the details. But I can't focus on his words, not when his eyes are shining so brightly, so full of life and dreams. The way his face lights up when he talks about his plans—it's contagious, and I find myself smiling along with him, feeling that familiar warmth spread through my chest.

"I'm proud of you, lovebug," I say softly, leaning over to squeeze his hands. His skin is warm under my touch, and I can feel the strength in his fingers as he gives my hand a gentle squeeze back. There's a comfort in this, in being here with him, in knowing that we're in this together.

****

 Dinner was fantastic, but what truly made the night unforgettable was taking the scenic route back to my place, our fingers intertwined as we strolled past the empty playground. The cool evening breeze mingled with the fading sounds of the city, bringing a sense of calm that seemed to settle in my bones.

"Can I ask you something random?" I say, glancing up at Finn. He arches an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at his lips.

"Here it comes," he chuckles, already bracing himself for whatever oddball question I'm about to throw his way.

"What would you do if, for some reason, I... died?"

Blame it on the book Jen recommended—the one where the female lead dies in some freak accident and her supposed soulmate moves on as if she meant nothing, only for her to come back and haunt the hell out of him and his new fling. The question popped into my head, and I guess it decided it needed an answer.

Finn's smile fades, his eyes searching mine as he processes my question. For a moment, he just looks at me, his expression unreadable. The silence stretches out, and I start to worry that I've crossed some line that can't be uncrossed.

Then, finally, he breaks the silence with a quiet, earnest voice. "Nothing."

I blink, taken aback. "Nothing? What do you mean by that?"

He squeezes my hand gently, pulling me a little closer. "Because I'd be with you," he says, his voice steady and sincere, leaving no room for doubt. "Wherever you go, I go. There's no life without you."

A soccer ball suddenly rolls over to us, stopping right at Finn's feet. Without missing a beat, he traps it with his foot, and in an instant, he's bouncing it effortlessly, showing off just a little. A group of small kids nearby notice, their eyes lighting up as they run over, drawn in by the chance of a game with a grown-up who knows what he's doing.

Finn grins at them, his whole face lighting up with that infectious energy I adore so much. They ask him to kick the ball back, and he does, sending it gently in their direction. The kids giggle and try to mimic his moves, kicking it back to him, clearly hoping to keep the game going.

Finn glanced at me, his eyes twinkling with a question, and I couldn't help but smile. I nodded, giving him a thumbs-up and mouthing, "Go on." He needed no more encouragement than that. Watching him play with them, his laughter mixing with theirs, made my heart swell with happiness.

It's moments like these that make me think about our future, about the family we'll have one day. I can already picture him with our kids, teaching them how to kick a ball, sharing that same joy and light he has in his eyes now. The thought warms me from the inside out. I can't wait for that. For us.