Wow. This is a first. I’ve never seen Finn anything but jovial.
He shakes his head. “Just reminds me of my childhood, I guess.”
“And you care about her,” Josie says, squeezing his arm.
He peers over at Hope, his expression softening. “Of course I do. She’s Hopie. She’s my best friend.”
I survey the woman who obviously means a lot to Finn. She’s got that girl-next-door look down pat. Her hair is pin straight, her makeup minimal, and she’s wearing that tired expression that so many moms have. With three children, none of whom could be older than six, it makes sense.
Finn turns back to me. “Anyway, she was close with Addiegrowing up and wanted to be here to celebrate.”
“Avery loves having her cousins around,” JJ says with a smile. “And we got her, Finn. Don’t worry. Between James, Theo, and me,” he says, mentioning his younger brother and his cousin, Hope’s brother, “we’ll make sure she is fine.”
With a nod, Finn takes a sip of his drink. As he swallows, he takes in the space, suddenly breaking into a huge grin. “Man, my sister is gonna hate this.”
I burst out laughing. “Don’t act so happy about it.”
“He can’t help it,” Theo says, suddenly standing at my side. He presses a hand to my back and angles in, pecking my cheek. “He’s acting like a typical little brother.”
My cheeks heat, my mind immediately going to Camden and how he reacted when he found me with Theo so many months ago.
What would he think if he saw us together?
I remember the article, and my whole being deflates.
I’m letting you go.
“I’m older than her,” Finn argues.
Theo doesn’t take his eyes off me as he replies. “And yet you sound like a little brother.”
Josie snorts. “You really do.”
Turning, Theo greets Josie. It’s a relief, honestly, when his attention is no longer on me. The reprieve is short-lived, though, because a moment later, he turns back, his hand brushing mine. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“Um—” I glance at Josie, who is wearing a wicked grin. “I’ll take a vodka soda. Thanks.”
He nods, holding my eyes the whole time. “Don’t disappear on me again.”
As he heads toward the bar, Josie pushes closer to me. “Damn, I always forget how hot Theo James is.”
I sigh. “How could you possibly forget? He’s on at least five billboards in this city.”
“The man does wear a pair of cowboy boots and jeans really well. Especially for a billionaire.”
Head tipped back, I cackle.
“What are the two of you laughing about over there?” Sutton asks.
I shake my head. No way do I want to get into a conversation about how hot Theo is. “What’s her ETA?”
Perking up, she glances at her phone. “Winnie just texted. They’re walking in now.”
Finn sticks two fingers in his mouth and makes a loud whistling noise. “They’re almost here!”
JJ smacks him on the back of his head. “They could probably hear you from the arena, numb nuts.”
Finn rubs the back of his curly head. “Duck, that hurt.”
