Aidan has been outrageously generous in handing out my name, recommending my work, and the inquiries have been shocking, to say the least.Through his photo shoots with several bands and ever-expanding client list, I’ve been hired to overhaul the website and promo materials for one of the big music festivals in Kansas City.
Timing has been weird, and the organizers had some issues with some of the bands and their branding, but in a show of good faith, they gave me a pair of tickets and are flying me and a guest out next week.We don’t just get to attend the show; we have full access to the venue, the musicians, and an amazing setup in my hometown.
It took all of a minute for me to decide who my plus-one would be.Finn’s mild obsession with music and specifically Of the Room made it a no-brainer.That, and he’s weaseled his way into my cold, dead heart.
Things are all cleared with his boss for me to steal Finn away for a few days.
Back at my apartment, I set Eric down, and he scampers off to find the Flounder toy Finn gave him.I make my way to my bedroom to finish getting ready, drying my hair and styling it in soft, beachy waves.It reminds me of ocean waves, and I love it, but it might be time for another change.Maybe purple?Maybe the soft pastel rainbow that Finn sent me for my Pinterest board?
I swipe on mascara and some lip stain and swap out my total nerd glasses for cute nerd glasses.
Grabbing my laptop, I settle on the couch to print off the flight vouchers and festival info, making mental notes of a few major things I want to completely change on the website and a few other cool touristy things that are must-dos in Kansas City.
After a couple of hours of work, it’s time.I take Eric out to do his thing, pop him into his crate, and change into the shirt Virginia scored for me.I text her on the way to my car to make sure everything is all set for Finn’s surprise at McBride’s.
Francie
I settle into my usual seat at the corner of the bar, waiting for the show.Neither Finn nor Adelaide has any idea of the other’s surprise.Maybe an inkling that there is one, but by no means what it is.
It settles my heart to see the boy find his way, and Adelaide is good for him.He needs someone to challenge him, keep him in line, and keep his head from getting too big.He’s grown up a lot in the time he’s been at McBride’s.Training up the new lad, Kieran, has been a challenge—one that Jimmy wasn’t quite up to and didn’t manage nearly as well as I’d hoped.But Finn’s got him sorted.I have all the faith in the world that Finn will be able to sort Jimmy out as well, if need be.
Applying to the university for his business classes was the final little step the boy needed to get himself lined up for the future.He needed to put the events from Dublin behind him.Know that he’s capable of taking the courses he’ll need to run a business.To secure his future.Because, as much as I love all my boys here—Aidan, Jimmy, Finn, and now, Kieran—there is only one completely suited to take over when the time comes.
Finn has a love for McBride’s in a way the others don’t quite possess.He loves the patrons, loves the lifestyle.It’s the perfect fit for him to carry on, looking out for the boys here now, for the Irish lads along the way who need a place to land for a bit, and for himself to grow into who he’s meant to be.
He’ll do well.
Finn hustles through the pub, getting the last little details set.Making sure that his ladies have what they need.They are all wearing their matching shirts, newly altered to add an additional line of text, and drinking whiskey like only classy women can.Neat.
I lean in as he comes back to the bar.“Make sure the grannies have a round on me, yeah?”
He gives me a sly look and asks, “Want me to put that on your tab, old man?”He sets a fresh pint of Guinness in front of me and winks.
I check the clock above the bar.“It’s about time.”
Finn looks over his shoulder, and with a quick nod, he pulls his button-up shirt over his head, leaving him in just the T-shirt he’s so proud of.
An outrageous smile stretches across my face as Adelaide makes her way through the door.The air stills as she searches the dark interior, looking a little unsure until her eyes adjust and her gaze lands on Finn.The dramatic gobshite plants his hands on the bar top and hops over it to get to her, unwilling to wait the seconds it would take to walk the twenty or so feet.
“So, you’re on board with the ladies.”He nods to the round table in the center of the room after taking in Adelaide’s #TeamFinn shirt.
Adelaide shrugs and runs a finger across his own shirt emblazoned with #TeamAddie in pinks, greens, and blues.“I like this.”She looks up at him, her smile matching his.“So, this is it?This relationship is officially defined?”
“It is,” he answers with just as much cheek.
He pulls the tickets he bought for them to go to a concert in Kansas City from his pocket.The same tickets that she has in a packet for him.
These two are meant for each other as much as Aidan and Lis are.Gracyn will find her man when she stops trying to hide from the truth of who she is.
All in all, these people are my family.My boys and their ladies, my girls and their men.
Sometimes, you hold tight to the secrets that need to be kept.
For love.For life.For the best.
