He paused with his cup halfway to his lips. “Seriously?”
“Seriously.” I took a long sip of coffee, uncomfortable with his scrutiny. “It’s important to give back to the community.”
He set his coffee down and cupped my chin with his thumb and finger. “You’re one amazing woman. You know that, right, Ginger?”
The nickname that had once annoyed me sent shivers through my veins now. “Not really. I’m just a college girl.”
“Most college students are too busy partying to care about feeding the poor.”
“I’ve gotta share what I can.” I shrugged. “It’s only right. Karma and all that.”
He pressed his lips together, seeming to be stopping himself from saying something. “I’m going with you. I want to help.”
“You don’t have to,” I protested, even though my whole body quickened at the thought of spending more time with him. “I’ll be fine on my own.”
“I know you will.” He brushed his thumb over my lip. “But I want to go with you.”
“All right,” I said breathlessly. “Wanna pick me up on the bike at six?”
He laughed. “I created a beast with that thing, didn’t I?”
“Yep.” I stood up, tossed out my empty coffee and grabbed my surfboard. “I’ll be waiting. Don’t be late.”
It was almost time to meet up with Finn, so I hurried down the stairs, my heart beating a little bit faster than usual. After I warned him not to be late, there was no way I could be late myself. He’d never let that slide. As I passed the last dorm in my hallway, a girl came out and grabbed my wrist. “Hey, you the one who put all those designer clothes in the communal room?”
“Uh, no.” Well, crap. I didn’t think anyone had seen me earlier. I tucked my hair behind my ear and smiled. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
The girl adjusted her top. The top I had put in a box for others to take a few hours ago. “Darn. I could’ve sworn they said it was the redhead in 123.”
Well, there went my career as a super spy. I had tried to be sneaky about it, but I couldn’t help but share some of the clothes my mom constantly sent me with the other people in my dorm. I mean, why not? I’d seen and heard how some of the students didn’t have much money for clothes…and I had too many. That’s all. “Nope. Wrong room.”
“Oh, well, sorry. I just wanted to say thanks. I’ve always wanted a Gucci top.”
I smiled and waved over my shoulder as I started down the hallway. “Well, if I figure out who it is, I’ll pass the message along.”
“Thanks.”
I made a mental note to put more Gucci out next time Mom sent a care package. Most of the stuff went to the local homeless shelters, but it didn’t hurt to anonymously help my fellow classmates, did it? As I pushed through the doors to the outside, I smiled at the sight of Finn waiting for me. He leaned against a tree, looking completely at ease in his board shorts and red T-shirt. His ink stood out even more against the contrast of the red. When I approached him, he cocked a brow.
“I’m on time.”
“So am I. Look at us, being all grown up and stuff.” I patted his arm. Hot damn, his arm was hard. And huge. “You ready?”
“Yeah.”
He fell into step beside me, like he always did. I wished I was bold enough to grab his hand again, but he’d clearly told me he didn’t want anything to do with me, romance-wise. So I kept my grabby hands to myself. “Have you ever helped out at a shelter before?”
“No.” He stole a quick look at me. “That’s probably pretty crappy of me, huh?”
I shook my head. “Nah.”
“Why do you do it?”
“Why not?” I stopped at his motorcycle. As I watched, he climbed on and handed me his helmet. Maybe I should have went out and bought my own earlier. Then he would stop insisting I use his. Would that look too forward? Be too pushy? I had no idea. “Shouldn’t you be wearing this instead of me?”
“No.” He looked over his shoulder at me. “Now put it on.”
I took the helmet. I could argue, but I knew when it came to my safety, he wouldn’t budge. He was a lot like Dad in that respect. Once again, the niggling doubt that said he’d been sent here by my father to befriend me came to mind. I shoved it down as best I could. Finn hadn’t given me any reason to suspect him. Just because the past hadn’t worked out so well for me didn’t mean history was repeating itself.
After shoving the helmet over my head, I climbed on behind him and held on tight. The whole ride to the soup kitchen, I went over all the different ways he’d proved he wasn’t Dad’s lackey. He’d kissed me—which Dad would never allow. Taken me surfing—which Dad would hate. Driven me around on his bike—which Dad would flip his shit over. And he was…Finn.
There was no way Dad would send a guy who looked like Finn to protect me unless he was blind, dumb, and stupid. Or incredibly naïve.
We turned into the parking lot, and he shut off the bike. I removed the helmet and handed it to him, but he was too busy scanning our surroundings as if the Big Bad Wolf lurked in the shadows or something. I nudged him with the helmet and he took it without taking his eyes off the people around us. “I don’t like this setting.”
I followed his gaze, but saw nothing out of place. A man in tattered clothing sat on the ground outside the door, but he looked harmless. Hungry, but harmless. A woman leaned against the wall a few feet past him, watching us. Her face was filthy, but her eyes seemed kind. “Don’t be a hypocrite. These people just need food.”
Finn looked at me again. His face softened and he cupped my cheek. I liked it when he did that, but I had to remember it meant nothing to him. Not like it did to me. “Your kindness might be the death of you.”
I climbed off his bike, letting his hand fall to his lap. He quickly followed me, staying close by my side. I stopped walking, giving him a stern look. “I don’t need protecting.”
“I’m not.” He threw an arm over my shoulders. “I’m just being friendly.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah. Sure.” As I approached the woman I’d seen earlier, I reached into my pocket, took out a gift card to McDonald’s, and pressed it into the woman’s hand. “Here. For this week.”
The woman took the card and smiled at me, her eyes lighting up. “Thank you.”
I nodded, uncomfortable with the gratitude. This should be something more people did, and it shouldn’t bring about such appreciation. I wished I could help everyone. I went to the man on the other side of the door and did the same. He thanked me and fell back asleep.
As we entered the building, Finn shook his head. “Does your father know you do this?”
“No.” I tucked my hair behind my ear. “I use the money he sends me every month. He always sends twice what I need. Sometimes more.”
Finn fell silent, but he looked at me weird. As if I was an enigma he couldn’t figure out, which was silly. It was a simple matter. I had money, they didn’t. Easily fixed. It wasn’t exactly rocket science.
We walked up to the woman who looked to be in charge. “Hi. I’m Carrie, and this is Finn. We’re here to help.”
The woman eyed me. Her weathered face cracked into a disapproving frown. I’d been judged and found wanting within seconds. “You okay with getting your hands dirty? A pretty little thing like you?”
Finn stiffened. “Excuse me? I’ll have you know—”
“It’s okay.” I placed a hand on his arm. There he went again, going into knight-in-shining-armor mode. It was cute and all, but I could take care of myself. “I’ll be fine. Where do you want us?”
“The kitchens. You’re on dish duty.”
I nodded and headed for the kitchen. Finn started to follow me, but the woman stopped him by stepping in his path. She barely reached the bottom of Finn’s shoulders, but he stopped instantly. “Not you. You’re out front. Watch for trouble and break it up if it starts.”