“Alright, I think I have something there I can make you.”
“No. My house.” Her hollow, cold voice sends chills down my spine.
“Millie,” I try.
“Finn.” She finally meets my eyes, and hers are glassy with tears ready to fall. “Just let me process, and then I’ll be ready for this evening.”
She rides silently next to me, staring out the window. Her fingers pick at the skin around her nails, so I settle my hand over hers to stop the anxious movement.
I want to hold her. I want to remind her that he means nothing, and she means everything.
I want to tell her I love her.
But as we reach her front door, my chest caves in. She doesn’t invite me inside, and she shuts the door before I can kiss her goodbye.
I sit in her driveway and order a lunch delivery, hoping she’ll be awake long enough to answer the door for it. And then I drive home, nausea churning in my stomach at the reminder I’m one of the people who brought Kyle back into her life.
Chapter 42
Millie
Oaks Folks
Dad:Let us know how your interview went, Mills. We’re waiting anxiously.
Dad:Your mother baked a cake for you even though you’re not here.
Mom:Nervous baking. You know how it goes.
Fabes:I’ll definitely benefit from that cake tonight.
Mom:I invited Eva and Theo over for some as well.
Fabes:Nevermind. I’m busy.
Tess:I’ll be there. Maybe Millie can FaceTime us and tell us how it went.
Fabes:We love you, Mills! Call us when you can.
***
Finn’s call wakes me from a deep sleep, and I blink my eyes open, groggily reaching for my phone. The time says I’ve slept for four hours, and I’m supposed to be ready for dinner at his parents’ right now.
My voice is hoarse when I answer, “Hey.”
“Hi. We’re outside. Are you ready?” His tone is gentle, like he’s talking to a frightened animal.
“No, I’m so sorry. I forgot to set an alarm to wake up. I’ll let you in.”
I slip some leggings on underneath my T-shirt and stop in front of the mirror. My perfect waves from this morning have gone frizzy and wild. I brush a hand over them as I head for the door.
When I open it, Finn, Avery, and Eloise are clad in their adorable tie-dye shirts. I force a smile across my face as the girls wrap their arms around me.
Finn shrugs with a bag from the café around the corner. “I guess this got here after you’d fallen asleep.”
A flash of guilt sinks into my stomach. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize for needing rest,” he says firmly.
