Summer of Sloane (22 page)

“I feel the same way, too.” I don’t know how to explain it, either. For the first time, I really, truly feel like I’ve moved on from Tyler. And while I know he’ll always have a piece of my heart, now it’s all about Finn. And that’s what I want. I brush his hair off his forehead and stare into the bluest eyes I’ve ever been this close to. And I want to keep staring until I memorize every shade of blue there is.

We’re on our way back when Finn’s cell phone rings. He takes one look at the caller ID and curses loudly. Oh, I’ve been there before, my friend.

With a heavy sigh, he presses a button on the steering wheel to engage the call over the speakers in the car. “Father.”

“Phineas. Please clear your schedule this evening, I’d like to have dinner with you and your sister, seven
P.M.
” It’s said in such a matter-of-fact tone, as if Finn simply could not have any other plans.

Finn takes a deep breath. “When did you get back into town?”

“Early this morning, and please, don’t change the subject,” his father says. “So tonight, seven
P.M.
I’ll see you then.” The phone disconnects before Finn has a chance to respond.

“Son of a bitch.” He slams his hand on the steering wheel, the muscles in his jaw flexing into a hard line.

“Hey, I’m so sorry.” I know how horrible this evening will most likely play out for him, like they always do whenever his father is involved. I lift his hand to my lips and kiss his knuckles. I want so badly to make this all go away. “What can I do?”

Blowing out a breath, he continues to stare at the road. “Go with me. Other than that, there’s really nothing else.”

“I’ll go.” The words are out of my mouth before I even think about what I’m saying, because if there’s any way I can help, I will.

“Sloane, I was totally joking. You already have plans with Mia. I’ll be fine, I promise. I’ve done this before.”

“Finn, it’s okay. Mia will understand. And if you think me being there will help, then count me in.”

“It definitely won’t hurt, that’s for sure. He’ll be less likely to ride my ass if you’re there.”

I pick up my phone and text Mia before Finn can tell me not to. I ask her if she’s okay with meeting a little later tonight than originally planned. She doesn’t respond, but I know she’s at work and will when she can. “Already done.”

“Thank you. You really didn’t have to do that, but thank you. I’ll pick you up at six thirty, okay?”

He drops me off and leaves to get ready. I have a little less than two hours, which normally would be plenty of time. But the fact I’m doubting I have anything suitable to wear is only one of the problems. I mean, it’s dinner with his father, who showed up at the pool
wearing a suit
. Not to mention, Finn was also wearing one the last time he went out with his dad, so I know this isn’t going to be a shorts-and-T-shirt kind of dinner. I race to my closet and pull the doors wide, then step inside and spin around, wondering what outfit I might possibly pull off tonight.

But then I spot it. The dress I wore to my spring formal that somehow found its way into my suitcase when I was doped up on painkillers.

The bodice is strapless and all sparkling silver sequins that fade to charcoal and down to black, and then transition into an all-black feathered short skirt. It shows a lot of leg, but right now, it’s the only thing I’ve got. I also thank my lucky stars that among all the things my mom has bought for me during this trip, a pair of strappy silver heels was one of her purchases. And they’re perfect.

“Mom! I need your help!” I run to find her and explain that I need some sort of wrap for my shoulders.

“I’ve got just the thing.” She disappears into her closet and comes out a moment later with a black pashmina. “Big plans tonight?”

“We’re having dinner with Mr. McAllister.” My face must say it all because my mom starts to laugh. “I don’t think he likes me…or anyone else for that matter. So this should be fun.”

“I’m sure that’s not true. But if it is, I guess you’ll just have to change his mind, won’t you?” She walks over to her dresser and opens her jewelry box, lifting out a delicate chain with a large diamond solitaire hanging directly in the center. She drops it, along with a pair of matching stud earrings, in the palm of my hand. My father gave them to her after they were married.

“Thanks, Mom!” Kissing her cheek, I race off to get ready.

As I’m working on my hair, I get an odd text from Penn:

I stare at my phone, but don’t respond. That isn’t what happened at all. I didn’t bail on Mia…did I?

I shoot her a quick text:

I tuck my cell into my clutch and am surprised when I walk out to the living room to find Finn already here. He’s standing in the kitchen with his back to me, laughing with my mom. She lets out a whistle when she sees me, and when Finn turns around, he stops, as if frozen in place.

I have no words for how to describe him, because just saying he looks hot is not nearly good enough. It’s not even close.

He’s wearing a dark charcoal pinstripe suit that fits every inch of his body as if expertly tailored to fit. Probably because it is. He even has on the matching vest underneath, his tie tucked snugly inside. My mom stands behind him where he can’t see her and points, while mouthing, “Oh my!” and I’m forced to bite back a giggle.

“Hey, you look great,” I muster, coming up to his side. “Where’s Luce?”

“She went with my father.” He lightly presses his fingertips to my arm, then slides his hand down to take mine. “And
you
look amazing.”

We say our good-byes, and Finn walks me to the car. I knew he wouldn’t have taken the bike, but thought for sure it would be the Jeep. Instead, one of the black SUVs from the hotel is waiting in my driveway. And I have to admit, it’s nice having Finn sit with his arm around me.

“My dad isn’t particularly fond of the Jeep. And don’t even get him started on my bike.”

We ride in silence for a few minutes, until Finn presses the button for the center partition to close between us and the driver.

“Thank you for coming tonight. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. Not to mention I’m really looking forward to what my father has to say.” It’s said with total sarcasm, and I can already feel the tension he’s giving off. “My apologies in advance, because I know what’s coming. I feel bad that you don’t.”

“Finn, as long as you’re okay with this, I have no problems being here. And I’m sure it won’t be that bad.” I’m trying my best to sound confident, but after what I’ve seen so far of his father, I’m not so sure that I’m right. “This is important and I don’t want you to feel like you’re alone, because you’re not.”

He lifts my hand to his lips and presses a kiss along the top. “You’re kind of the greatest thing ever, you know that, right?”

“Only ‘kind of’? Guess I’ll need to work on that.” I playfully elbow him in the side.

We pull up in front of the restaurant, and I’m surprised to see it’s one I’ve been to before. My mom met the head chef and owner several years back when his daughter broke her ankle playing soccer. She needed surgery, and my mom was the surgeon he came to. Bob has also done some work on his wife, but getting new lips and boobs isn’t exactly something that’s talked about.

As soon as we’re through the front doors, we’re greeted by the hostess, and I can instantly tell when Finn’s demeanor changes. It’s like he’s an entirely different person. And I realize if there’s any chance I can help deflect, I’m really going to try.

“Mr. McAllister, your father and sister are waiting at your usual table. This way, please.” We’re led through the main dining room to a private table, secluded from the rest of the dinner guests.

Finn’s father stands as soon as he sees us and immediately Finn steps forward to shake his hand. Luce also stands. She’s sucking in both of her lips and looking down at the table with her hands tucked behind her. She looks incredibly uncomfortable.

“Father, you remember Sloane.”

“I do. I just didn’t know she’d be joining us tonight.” He eyes Finn, and I wonder if that will be a conversation saved for later.

“Sorry to once again disappoint, but Sloane and I already had plans this evening, before you called,” Finn replies.

Yes, it’s a lie, but I understand why he says it. I stick my hand out to shake with Mr. McAllister, and I’m surprised when he takes it. Especially after what he just said. His handshake is firm and deliberate and his eyes search me from head to toe, before I see the nod of his approval.

“Miss McIntyre, so glad you could join us. Please, have a seat.” I turn to sit down, and Finn is behind me, helping me with my chair before he takes his own.

Mr. McAllister signals one of the waitstaff. “Please increase our dinner tonight to four,” he says to the waiter, as another setting is placed in front of me.

A bottle of wine is already at the table and as one of the servers fills up our glasses, Mr. McAllister frowns in my direction. I think it’s because the wine probably isn’t supposed to be for us. So it surprises me when instead he says, “I’ve already taken the liberty of ordering. The menu here is prix fixe, so you don’t get to choose what you want—and they don’t serve chicken fingers and French fries.”

Ha! I realize two things very quickly: One, he thinks I have no idea what the term “prix fixe” means. And two, I’m not about to lose to this man.

“Oh, I know. Chef George does an amazing job with the menu here. It’s wonderful. And I have no aversions to any type of food. I love to try everything.” Even though I say it all with an easy, steady tone, I take a sip of the wine, hoping it will help with my nerves.

His eyebrows actually raise just a hair. I believe this might be his surprised look. Because something tells me he doesn’t quite believe I’ve been here before. Like Finn couldn’t possibly be hanging out with someone that has.

“So tell me, Miss McIntyre, what do your parents do?” As he says this, our first course is set down in front of us, a seared ahi tuna with Aleppo pepper aioli over basmati rice. It looks amazing.

I get the distinct feeling he’s sizing me up, and that’s fine. I’m rather proud of my mom and dad. Finn takes my hand under the table and gives it a reassuring squeeze. I squeeze it right back to let him know I’m okay. Luce looks like she’d rather be anywhere else but here.

“My father is a litigation attorney in Seattle. And my mother is an orthopedic surgeon here in Honolulu and owns her own practice. My stepdad is a plastic surgeon here as well.”

“So your parents are divorced, then.”

It’s not really a question, but more of a statement.

“Yes, they got divorced when I was in the fourth grade. I live with my dad during the school year, but have been coming down here to stay with my mom every summer.” I take another sip of wine and decide to turn the tables. “So aside from all your hotels, I hear you also have interest in the LA Dodgers?”

Both he and Finn seem surprised that I know this. Thank God for Google.

“I do actually. Are
you
a baseball fan?”

“Yeah…I mean yes. And had the Dodgers stayed in New York, I’m sure I would’ve rooted for them. But instead, I’m a Yankees girl, through and through.” He once again raises one very curious eyebrow in my direction, a look not unlike the one I’ve seen from his son. “My father is Brooklyn born and raised, and my grandfather was a die-hard Brooklyn Dodgers fan. I grew up hearing stories that he cried for days when they moved to LA, so he raised my dad to love the Yankees instead. It was kind of impossible for me to not love the Yankees, too.” I take another sip from my glass. “Oh, and we also root for the Mariners. Although they really need to beef up their offense if they’re going to have any shot at the pennant.”

Luce beams at me while Finn coughs into his napkin, and I can tell he’s fighting back a smile. I’m kinda proud of myself, too. Maybe it’s the few sips of wine I’ve had or maybe I want Mr. McAllister to realize I’m not afraid to speak my own mind. Even if maybe I kinda am. But he doesn’t know that.

Besides, I feel like some of the tension has lifted and has allowed Finn to relax a little.

My phone buzzes with an incoming text, and I slide it out from my purse, under the table so no one sees. It’s from Mia.

Crap. She’s totally pissed. So I respond back immediately.

I feel horrible. She needed to talk to me, and I totally flaked.

The waitstaff clears our plates, and our second course is settled on the table. It’s a small dish of foie gras and toast points, and with it comes a different glass of wine.

“Well, I’d have to say I’d be a little disappointed if my son is swayed toward the Yankees, especially after he starts at Yale.” He lifts his napkin and dabs at his mouth. “Speaking of which, did I tell you I spoke to the dean of admissions a few weeks ago? With as much money as I’ve donated over the years, they won’t be turning you down.”

Finn’s face falls slightly, and I realize I’ve done all I can in keeping the conversation off him.

“Father, I’ve already told you. I’m still considering my options, but I think I like MIT the best. UC Berkeley might be my second choice.” I can tell this is a conversation they’ve had plenty of times by the exasperated tone in his voice.

“Phineas, there’s nothing to consider here. Three generations of McAllisters have gone to Yale, and your brother would’ve been next—there was never even a question about that.” He scoffs, irritated with Finn, as he shakes his head. “Quinn would have never thrown such an opportunity away. And I’ll be damned if you think you will.”

“Dad, maybe we can talk about this later?” Luce asks. She doesn’t look at him when she says it, but I know she’s trying to help.