No one responds.Instead, Sue walks in with a stuffed dog toy—Flounder from my favorite animated movie.She squeaks it twice before handing it to me and taking her seat.
Delores, the new student, walks through the door with a dog leash coiled in her hand.There are goofy sharks sporting oversize fins embroidered all down the length of it.Fins for Finn?I huff out a laugh, pursing my lips.I really want to just be pissed off, but he’s making it really hard.
The ladies have dribbled in the door, bearing gifts, over the past half hour.Looking up, I’m met with seven sweet smiles.The only one missing is Virginia.
“He set you all up to do this?”I ask through some errant sniffles.
Not a peep.Normally, these women don’t shush long enough for me to get through what I’m supposed to on a given day, but today, they have nothing to say.
Nothing.
Virginia slides up to the door and props her hip against it.“I like the new color.”She nods at me, eyeing my blue-and-silver ombre waves.
“Thanks.”
Virginia extends her arm, an envelope in her hand.“This is the last of it, honey.I’ll take over class and keep the girls in line.”She follows this up with a wink.A Finn wink.
I side-eye her pretty hard as I fumble to open the card without spilling my coffee.Surprised by the beautiful handwriting, I take in the words before looking up at Virginia.“Did you write this for him because?—”
“Nope.My handwriting sucks, and you know it.”She leans in and wraps me in a big hug, whispering, “Hear him out.That boy has it bad for you.”
Connie hands me my computer case and a big floral bag full of all my presents.
Loaded down, I bite at my lip and reread his words as I stalk outside.
Adelaide,
Please come outside.
—Finn
“Why are you blocking my car, Finnegan?”
His car is angled behind mine, preventing my escape.
“It’s just Finn.And I need to make sure you listen to me.”
It’s warm for the end of March.The sun is shining, and Finn has his sleeves rolled up past his elbows.He’s leaning back, ass against the hood of his car, ankles crossed.Thumbs in his pockets, fingers dangling.
“What do I need to listen to,Finnegan?Stealing my best friends and having them do your dirty work isn’t going to fix having BMCF naked on your couch.”I pop my brows as high and judgy as I can manage, taking an exaggerated sip of my coffee.
“BMCF?”
“Bitchy McCuntface.Or has she been replaced with a new one since then?”
“No.”He snorts out a laugh.“Well, yes, actually.And it’s just Finn.”
“We’re done.Move your car, please, and let me leave,Finnegan.”
He pushes off his car and walks toward me.Relieving me of my bags, he plucks my coffee from my hand and takes a sip before setting it on the roof of my SUV.“I won’t.Not yet, not until you listen to me, Adelaide.
“Your BMCF, or Marlee, has been replaced.She was replaced a couple of months ago, about the time I tried to use a continuing ed class to get my new laptop set up.I met someone with a quick wit and a smart mouth, someone who’s far more interesting.”He takes a step closer to me, reaching out to slide a lock of hair through his fingers.“And it’s just Finn.That’s it, not short for anything.”
“Fine, whatever.That doesn’t change the fact that you were playing me.Having her spend the night after we went out?That’s fucking shitty,Finnegan.And she has a key to your apartment?”I am full-on pissed, finger poking his chest, punctuating each word.“I was just the challenge.The chick who didn’t buy your line of bullshit and give it up at the first flash of your cute fucking wink.”
“You think my wink is cute?”He steps closer again, and his smile splits his face.
“Jesus, that’s all you took from that?”Pushing against his chest, I try to give myself some space.Lord knows, I have to remind myself not to get lost in his eyes as it is.
