Chapter 45: Wren
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Finn’s building lookslike the kind of place twenty-somethings in commercials pretend they live in—exposed brick, steel accents, big windows, city noise humming from below.It doesn’t match the chaotic sunshine currently unlocking the front door with exaggerated stealth, but it’s very...him.
He glances back as Atlas parks behind us.“Welcome, Ms.Harper,” Finn says with a mock bow.“To the Kingdom of Questionable Decor and Poor Financial Decisions.”
Atlas mutters, “We should’ve taken her to Kael’s.”
Kael doesn’t answer, but the muscle in his jaw tightens.
“I’m right here,” I say quietly.
All three look at me.
Finn softens first.“Sorry.Habit.”
Atlas nods once.“We know.”
Kael’s eyes hold mine a second longer than necessary.“If you want to stay somewhere else—”
“No,” I say, surprising all of us.“This is good.Finn’s good.”
Finn’s ears actually pink.
We take the elevator up.Atlas and Kael flank me so completely that another tenant stepping in does a cartoonish double-take and steps back out again.
Finn’s apartment is...
Wow.
It looks like a golden retriever decorated it.
A hockey bag in the middle of the living room.Mismatched throw pillows.A plant that’s definitely fake.A framed poster of a 90s action movie.A kitchen counter with three energy drinks, a protein bar, and exactly one banana.
“This is—” I start.
“A disaster?”Finn offers.
“—a place someone actually lives,” I finish.
He lights up.“Exactly!”
Atlas walks through the space like searching for threats.Kael checks the locks without announcing it.
Finn leads me to a door on the right and pushes it open.
