“Never can be too careful.”
A feminine throat clears behind us, and I turn to catch Reese watching closely.
Instead of stepping back, I nudge into him. As if it’s a natural move, he tucks me under his arm and extends his hand to her. “Finn Black.”
“Reese Traynor. Nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.” She gives me a sly grin and winks.
Could she be more obvious?
“You have, huh? That’s nice to hear.” He tightens his arm around me and runs his mouth along my hairline. “Hopefully all good.”
I look up to see him eyeing me with appreciation, and I realize he didn’t even give her a second glance. This has never happened to me before. Reese is a very pretty woman, with long golden blond hair, deep brown eyes, and a body to kill for. Guys always ogle her. I’m used to it, but he didn’t even flinch. His eyes are pinned to mine.
“It’s all good,” I whisper for only him to hear.
“Presley,” my dad’s deep voice startles me, and I turn to see him and Johnny coming our way.
Following them is a group of people I don’t recognize except for Ember and Robbie. I stiffen and try to move away, but Finn doesn’t let me budge.
“Looks like we can get this out of the way all at once.”
“Do you know them?”
“That’s the Hayes and my parents with them.”
My chest tightens and stomach lurches. Once again, I try unsuccessfully to move.
“Stop trying to get away.” Finn’s voice is smooth and calm, completely opposite of the way I’m feeling.
Reese watches in amusement, giggling until she starts to shake. I give her an evil glare, which only makes her louder.
Dad reaches us first but only a second before the rest of the crowd. He eyes my closeness with Finn and fights a grin. Then Johnny steps up, giving me a kiss on the cheek, and pats Finn on the back in greeting.
My eyes grow wide with confusion. The two times he met Russell, he was gruff and bored, most of the time less than welcoming. But with Finn, he’s friendly? I don’t have time to internalize because a stunning couple, who are no doubt Finn’s parents, step into our view.
I freeze. My lungs stop working, and I squeeze hard on his waist to find air. I’ve never had a ‘meet the parents’ moment. He feels me tense, runs his free hand up my arm, and gently guides my face to him.
“Breathe,” he says calmly.
When I don’t, he turns us away and wraps me in a hug, forcing me to suck in a deep breath and inhale him. I immediately sink into his arms and take a few deep breaths. He chuckles in my hair and kisses my scalp.
Then the humiliation hits! I’m such an idiot!
I crush into him and twist us both to face what seems like a hundred faces.
“Hi,” I squeak, focusing on the woman standing before me with a glimmer in her eyes, which are the exact same shade of blue as Finn’s.
She looks between the two of us with appreciation and steps close. Her hand goes to mine, which she grasps gently.
“I’m Evelyn Black.”
“Hi, I’m Presley Chambers.”
“I know. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Finn hisses behind me, “Really, Ember?”
My eyes fly to Ember, who has blotches forming on her chest and neck. She opens her mouth, but Evelyn speaks first, ignoring Finn’s comment.