If He Had Been with Me, #2
If Only I Had Told Her
by Laura Nowlin
Contents
Finn — Nine
Overview
Finn finishes Autumn’s manuscript and concludes she has always known his love. He confronts her about withdrawing after their teenage kiss; Autumn admits fear, and they exchange overdue apologies. Their conversation turns tender and explicit consent leads to their first time together, with Finn confessing he loves her.
Summary
Alone after finishing Autumn’s novel, Finn realizes her precise portrayal of his love means she has always known his feelings. Angered by years of perceived manipulation and abandonment, he goes to confront her, believing she used him to feel better.
Finn wakes Autumn and demands to know why she left him after they turned thirteen. Autumn first deflects, then apologizes and admits the New Year’s Eve kiss scared her and she wasn’t ready. Finn rethinks their history, accepts his part in hurting her, and apologizes for the kiss; Autumn tells him not to be sorry and insists he makes her happy.
Testing boundaries, Finn asks if kissing her now would make her happy; Autumn agrees. They kiss, carefully and with checks for consent, escalating in intimacy as both match each other’s pace and desire. When Autumn urges him not to stop, Finn hesitates over not having condoms, but Autumn is certain and continues.
They undress, and before they have sex, Finn tells Autumn he loves her. During their first time, Finn tries to be gentle, guided by Autumn’s reassurance. Overwhelmed, he repeats his love as they consummate their long-held feelings.
Who Appears
- FinnNarrator; finishes Autumn’s novel, confronts her about past distance, apologizes, seeks consent, confesses love, and makes love with her.
- AutumnWriter of the manuscript; admits past fear, apologizes, affirms Finn makes her happy, consents and initiates intimacy, and makes love with Finn.