Starry Night

themselves. You’re mine, Finn, all mine.”
    His eyes grew dark and serious. His grip tightened on her hand. “No one is going to turn my head, Carrie. It simply isn’t possible.”
    Carrie and Finn walked back to her condo, bundles in hand. Until that morning Finn mentioned that the only clothes shopping he’d done in years had been through catalogs or online. It’d been a true test of the strength of their relationship when it came to choosing dress slacks and asweater for him. All in all, he’d been more than patient, but she could appreciate his unease.
    Once back at her condo, Finn collapsed onto her sofa, spreading out his arms along the back cushion. Her tree was up but had yet to be decorated, and although it was only four feet tall, it took up one entire corner of her living room. Finn had placed a gift under it first thing that morning. She eyed it now, wrapped in plain brown paper.
    “Curious?” he asked.
    “Very.” She picked it up, held it close to her ear, and shook it.
    “Any guesses?”
    “I doubt it’s a can opener.”
    He grinned. “You’re way off base.”
    “Do you want to tell me?”
    “And ruin the surprise? No way. You have to wait until Christmas.”
    Carrie reluctantly set it back down. “You’re taunting me, and that simply isn’t fair.”
    “I think you’ll be pleased” was all Finn was willing to tell her. Over the years she’d received a variety of gifts from the men she’d dated, but Finn’s gifts were distinctive in every way. It wasn’t likely she would ever forget that toaster.
    Carrie went over to her television and removed a DVD from her collection.
    “We’re watching a movie?” Finn asked.
    “Yes. It’s tradition.”
    “What movie?”
    “You’ll see in a minute.”
    “Is it a romance? I don’t think I could sit through a chick flick—not after the last three hours.”
    “Shush.” She sat down close to him and reached for her remote control, pushing the appropriate button.
    Right away he slid his arm around her shoulders and then let it drop. “ The Bishop’s Wife ?” he muttered as the title flashed across the screen. “It’s in black and white.”
    “Have you seen it?”
    “Yes, years ago …”
    “It’s my favorite Christmas movie.”
    “Ah …”
    “Shhh, you’ll miss the introduction.”
    His arm was back, and she pressed her head against his shoulder. “Just relax and enjoy.”
    He grumbled, but she noticed that he was soon into the movie. Every now and again he would lean forward and kiss her temple. Carrie snuggled into his embrace. She loved that they could cuddle and be this close.
    “Listen up. This is one of the best lines of any movie ever.” Carrie mouthed the words along with Cary Grant as he spoke to Loretta Young.
    Finn sat up slightly. “You’ve memorized the movie?”
    “Parts of it. Like I said, it’s one of my favorites.” Itthrilled her that he was with her and they could view it together. What she loved was how much he seemed to be enjoying it, too.
    “Just how many times have you watched this silly movie?”
    “It isn’t a silly movie,” she insisted, knowing that he enjoyed teasing her.
    “Have you ever seen The Replacement Killers ?”
    “Yuck, no.”
    “Yuck? It’s a great movie.”
    “Tell you what,” Carrie whispered, tilting her head back and kissing the underside of his clean-shaven jaw. “I’ll watch it with you one day, as long as you promise to hold me just like this.”
    He smiled down on her. “Deal.”
    The phone rang shortly after the movie ended. It was Sophie. “A group of us are going to Logan’s for drinks. Can you meet us?”
    “Let me check.”
    “Check?” Sophie repeated.
    “I have company. F—Paul is in town.”
    “Seattle Paul? The guy who’s got you walking around with your head in the clouds Paul?”
    “One and the same.” Finn eyed her closely. Carrie was sure he was able to hear both sides of the conversation.
    “You didn’t say anything about him coming to Chicago.”
    “I didn’t know. It was a surprise.”
    “Well, bring him. I, for one, am dying to meet this guy.”
    “Hold on.” Carrie pressed her cell against her chest. “What do you think? Do you want to go out tonight?”
    “Do you?”
    She shrugged. “I’d like you to meet my friends.”
    He hesitated and then nodded. “Okay.”
    She leaned forward and kissed him soundly on the lips.
    “I could grow accustomed to these little rewards you so willingly hand out,” he murmured