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"Exactly how many cups of coffee have you consumed today?"
Rory turned to look at the young man, taking note of the look of amusement plastered on his face. "I lost count after six," she murmured.
"It's only ten in the morning. That's a little extreme… even for you."
"Yeah well – I'm depressed," the brunette sighed dramatically into her mug.
"Can a sexy Australian make you feel better?" he offered, his deep accent laced with mirth.
"No Finn," she sighed, "Not even a sexy Australian can fix this."
"I learned two things from that sentence," he started, taking away her now empty mug, "One; that you think I'm sexy. Finally, after how many years you finally admit it. And two; that whatever is making you depressed isserious because frankly love, I've never seen you like this."
Finn took in her disheveled appearance and he frowned. No longer was she the confident journalist that he had come to know and love. Before him now was a confused and miserable woman, her eyes giving away every emotion that she was feeling. He could see the sadness, the anxiety and the anger she was currently feeling.
"Is this about Logan?"
Rory let out a snort, "I wish."
"If it's not about my blonde haired best friend, then what or who is the reason?" Finn questioned, tilting his head to meet her eyes.
"Tristan."
"DuGrey? Tristan DuGrey?"
Rory nodded.
"What did he do?"
"He's planning on proposing," she uttered out, struggling with the words.
"To long legs?"
"Long legs?"
"Alicia long legs Montgomery."
Rory rolled her eyes, "Real clever."
"Don't blame me, Colin came up with it. Rather boring and so typical and so like Colin but it stuck. Anyway, back to the subject. So Tristan's finally taking that final step huh?"
Rory shrugged, fetching herself another cup of coffee. "That's what it looks like. And he wants me to help him."
Finn eyed her curiously, failing to see any problem. "So?"
"Never mind," she mumbled.
"I don't understand… why are you not happy?"
"I am happy," she lied.
"Tristan's your best mate. If your best mate is happy, then wouldn't that automatically make you happy?"
"I guess…"
"Tristan is happy but you're not happy. Are you following me love?"
"Sort of."
"This leads to my next question… why the hell are you so damn miserable when you should be with Tristan celebrating and helping plan his perfect proposal?"
"Because I don't want to help him plan his stupid proposal," Rory replied, her words harsher then she intended.
"Why?" Finn was surprised by her revelation. It was so un-Rory like.
"Because I don't think she's the right person for him," she murmured into her fresh mug of coffee.
"I disagree."
"You do?"
He nodded, "They are perfect for each other. This is the happiest I've seen Tristan in a while."
"They've only been going out for six months! That's hardly enough time to decide to move in together let alone get married!"
Finn held his arms up high, surrendering to Rory's loud and booming voice. "Alright love, whatever you say."
Rory smiled for an instant before closing her eyes, her thoughts clouding with unwanted images that would have dampened her blue eyes if they were open.
"Does Tristan know that you think these things?" he inquired curiously, taking a bite of the waffle that had just popped out from the toaster.
"Yeah…" she trailed off, "Okay no but I can't just walk up to him and say 'hey Tristan, guess what… I hate your girlfriend and I think that you're going to make a big mistake by asking her to marry you.'"
Finn nodded, chewing thoughtfully. His hands grabbed hold of the jug of orange juice and without even reaching for a cup, opened the lid and drank a generous amount.
"Or how about going up to Tristan and saying 'hey Tristan, oldmate of mine. I have something to tell you… I secretly hate you're girlfriend. Do not and I mean do not ask her to marry you… ask me instead because I've secretly loved you for months, maybe even years, who knows? She doesn't deserve you as much as I do.'"
Rory had been in mid sip just as Finn had completed his sentence. To say that it shocked her would have been a major understatement. The steaming hot coffee that had been inside her mouth had been splattered across the kitchen table and onto Finn's designer black tie.
"I can't believe you just said that!" she exclaimed, wiping her mouth.
The look of sheer horror was glued to the Australian's face as he looked down to examine his tie. "And I can't believe you just did that!"
"I'm sorry but you had no right to say what you just said."
"That was so disgusting Rory," Finn shook his head, mildly amused. "Do you know how much this damn tie cost me?"
"Probably as much as the outfit I'm wearing right now," Rory muttered.
"Damn right. And now it's ruined."
"So what do you want me to do? Buy you a new one? You can't even see the coffee stain… it's a black tie!"
"Nevertheless, I can smell the coffee," he shuddered.
"You lucky duckling," Rory teased before fetching herself a new cup of her drink.
"Anyway, back to the subject," Finn responded smugly, running his hand through his dark hair.
"What subject?"
"The DuGrey subject. I'm not blind love… I may be drunk as hell most of the time but I'm quite attentive."
"That you are. Remember last Saturday when a cute red head walked in the pub? You couldn't take your eyes off of her and you remembered her outfit to the tiniest detail. You still do in fact."
Finn grinned boyishly, "Tight black cardigan with a white tank underneath. She had on a short jean skirt matched with black stockings and cute beige boots. Also that cute scarf she had on."
"Straight from an American Eagle catalogue," Rory laughed, "I bet you don't remember what I was wearing that day."
"White turtleneck with those blue jeans that you love. Along with that, you had on your mother's Marc Jacob's belt and your pea coat in case it got too chilly. Your hair was down in light curls."
"Impressive," Rory eyes grew wide, "And slightly frightening."
Finn shrugged, "You also want to know what I noticed that night?"
"Go ahead. Amuse me."
"You were angry at Tristan for bringing Alicia… though you refused to show it, I noticed. And that's when I figured out your feelings for him."
Rory remained silent, her hands hugging her mug for extra warmth. She looked out of the window and sighed, watching the snowflakes cascading down onto the ground silently. Finn followed her eyes and he too watched the snowfall. Silence invaded the spacious kitchen, both adults having no words.
"Are you amused?" Finn smirked, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
She cleared her throat before muttering the following words, "What do you suggest I do about my uh… problem?"
The Australian's eyes were still focused on the snow outside… he was almost hypnotized. "Isn't it weird how something so beautiful be so evil at the same time?"
"What?"
"Snow love, snow," he grinned bashfully.
"How is snow evil?"
"It's so bloody cold."
"I love it all just the same," she replied, biting her lip.
"And to answer your previous question, you have to tell him about your feelings. You can't just stand back and watch him possibly make the biggest mistake of his life."
"But you said it was great news… that you've never seen him happier," she mildly argued.
"I said that it's the happiest I've seen him in a while, however, the happiest I've ever seen Tristan is whenever I see him with you."
"Really?"
Finn nodded, swallowing the odd bitterness in the back of his mouth, "Really. So bring that snowflake down, princess," he winked before standing up.
"How do you suggest I do that?" Rory asked incredulously.
"You're smart, you'll figure something out."
Rory watched him exit her apartment with wide eyes, in all of her twenty-four years of existence; she had never been so confused.
--
Hello! Here is chapter two… I know it was kind of dull but greatly needed since Finn will be a recurring character in this story. Ah… my love for him will never die!
Thanks for the reviews, they make me happy and keep me writing.
Happy Holidays to all of you guys! Gosh, I love the holidays! Hope you have a safe and good one:))