And he can’t say stuff like that. I can’t think clearly.
“New year,” Finn says. “New us? That’s what you like about the holiday, right? All those opportunities for new beginnings?”
“Yes,” I say. “Yes, I do. But…”
“No. No buts.”
“But what if the new us doesn’t work out?” I say the thing Finn clearly refuses to acknowledge. “What if it turns out we’re better off as friends. Asfrenemies.”
“Frenemies? What the fuck is that?”
“What if you don’t take this job and you stay and you resent me for it?” I say quietly. I don’t think I could handle that. Not only losing Finn but losing his friendship. Losingeverything.
“That won’t happen, Nora. It won’t.” He gathers me close to him, bending low to bury his face in my hair.
I want to believe him. I do. “Just promise me you won’t make a decision because of me.Please.”
“I promise,” he says into my skin. He starts to walk us toward the bedroom.
“The dishes,” I say, feebly, but I’m already turning, leading him back to bed.
“Fuck it,” he says, and for once I agree.
He doesn’t leave my condo until January 2nd. Then we don’t talk for two days. And then he texts me:
FINN COLLINS, JANUARY 5, 2025
3:25 p.m.: Finn: I’m going to take the Berlin job
3:37 p.m.: Nora: That’s great, Finn I’m really proud of you
That feels like the right thing to say. It feels like the decision he’s supposed to make.
But I still cry myself to sleep that night.
FINN COLLINS, FEBRUARY 10, 2025
9:01 a.m.: Nora: Let me know when you land? x
2:54 p.m.: Nora: ???
7:31 p.m.: Nora: should I call George? I’m getting nervous
THE DREAM TEAM, FEBRUARY 12, 2025
6:26 p.m.: (+49) 5555-5555: Hey! Here’s my new German number!
8:34 p.m.: Josh: new phone who dis
8:37 p.m.: Brendan: you guys, I miss Finn
12:56 a.m.: (+49) 5555-5555: I’m literally right here dumbass
12:56 a.m.: (+49) 5555-5555: miss you too, buddy
(+49) BER-FINN, FEBRUARY 12, 2025
8:58 p.m.: Nora: I didn’t realize you’d gotten a new number
