Chapter 4: It's Just Dinner

“No. I'm not married. I’m a single mom, if that’s what you’re asking,” Gwen replied, a little defensive.

Finn raised his brows with curiosity, but Gwen could see that he was pissed.

“Who is his father?” Finn asked, making Gwen drop the purse in her hand.

She picked it from the floor while thinking what she should answer.

She couldn’t tell him the truth. It was unclear to her what were Finn’s intentions, so she wasn’t going to say anything.

“Look, Finn. I really have to go. Cody is sleepy and it's way past his bed time. So if you don’t mind…” she said, opening the car door.

“Wait. I…” Finn choked on his words, not knowing what to say, but not wanting her to leave so soon. “I was wondering if we could go out for dinner some day. I’d love to catch up with you.”

Gwen made a huge effort not to let her jaw drop. Was he inviting her on a date?

“Just like old friends, you don’t have to worry about it,” Finn continued, like he was able to read her mind.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea, Finn. I’m in the city for only a few days and I’m staying at my best friend’s house. I don’t want to bother her by asking her to watch Cody.”

“Are you leaving soon?” he asked, surprised.

He was clearly not expecting that answer; it almost sounded like he was disappointed.

“Yes, I won’t stay here for too long.”

“One more reason to accept my invitation then. I haven’t seen you for years; I want to know how you have been.”

After what he did, Finn really wanted her to accept it?

She couldn’t believe him. Gwen couldn’t possibly accept that. Obviously, it wouldn’t end up well. Did she want to open that wound? Did she want to know about Finn’s life during the years she was away?

“Finn, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she simply said.

“Come on, Gwen. We’re both adults. What’s the harm? It’s just a dinner.”

She felt her face flush, and she was angry with herself for acting like a teenager. There was no reason to be blushing, just because a handsome billionaire had invited her for dinner.

“Grow up, Gwen,” she thought to herself.

“Okay, fine. Just one dinner,” Gwen said out loud, surrendering to his charm. Again.

“Great. Does tomorrow sound okay to you? I suspect your friend doesn’t work on Saturdays, does she?” Finn suggested with a smile that made Gwen feel things that were not appropriate.

“No, I don’t think she does. I will ask her to watch Cody for me. I’ll let you know,” Gwen explained, while Finn put his hand under his overcoat.

He handed her a business card with his name and contact information.

“This is my private number. You can text me your address. I’ll pick you up tomorrow at 7,” Finn concluded, putting his hands on his pockets.

Gwen couldn’t think of a more CEO posture, and that almost made her laugh.

She nodded and said goodnight, hurrying to get in the car and get the hell out of that place. It was like her brain had been scrambled like morning eggs. In a million years, she would never think that she would meet Finn inside a parking lot at a mall. He didn’t have to say, but it was clear that he had been tracking her ever since she got back in town.

Was he even looking for her in the first place?

They hadn’t been in touch for five years, and their lives were so different now.

As soon as she got to the street, Gwen realized how stupid it was to accept his invitation. What were they going to talk about? She would have to pretend to be interested in his life. Okay, she kind of was, but what if she didn’t like what he had to say? What if he was the one married?

She would be back home with Cody in a few days, so it shouldn’t hurt to have dinner with an old acquaintance.

She sneered, what a joke. As if Finn could ever be considered an old acquaintance.

Gwen would have to figure out a way to not fall for his charms.

***

Finn was still trying to understand what had happened back in the parking lot.

He was dying to put his eyes on her ever since he heard of her return, but couldn’t find the right time to do it.

Then he came to realize that there was no such thing as the right time. He would have to gather courage to just go after her if that’s what he really wanted. Otherwise, there was no way they would bump into each other occasionally.

As soon as his eyes caught Gwen coming in his direction, Finn froze.

She was different. More mature, and her hair was shorter than he remembered, but her beauty was still the same, if not better.

Her eyes, the way she walked and moved her hair, everything that made him so happy in the past was right in front of him again at that moment.

He should be powerful, strict and decisive like the CEO he was. But every time she was around, he forgot about all that. It was almost like he was under some sort of spell.

And then, when he thought that things were still the same, when they started to talk about life in general, a little boy caught him completely off guard by calling her mommy.

At first, Finn was confused. Maybe it wasn’t her kid and he just heard it wrong.

He suddenly felt puzzled, betrayed, angry. A lot of weird feelings hit him like a punch.

Thinking back now, he had blond hair and green eyes, but could it be…?

No, it was not possible.

The kid didn’t seem to be that old. And it simply couldn’t be. Finn thought he was going crazy by even considering that idea. They hadn’t been together for too long, and if Gwen was pregnant back then, she would’ve told him.

Finn shook his head trying to get back to reality.

He was going to focus on what he had achieved so far: Gwen accepted to have dinner with him.

But what was he actually expecting from that encounter?