Damn.He may be an asshole, but he’s the kind women drool over.
And heisan asshole... right? If there were an asshole checklist in my brain, he’s definitely checked off some of the requirements.
But bringing me coffee and joking in emails aren’t on that list. He’s deviated from it, and it’s confusing me to my core, leaving me completely unsure of his intentions.
My eyes follow the line of his starry galaxy tie, and I realize he has a little girl holding each hand.
I momentarily forget how to breathe and have to blink a few times to clear my vision.
But the image stays the same as I track my gaze over him again. Broad shoulders, black fabric over sculpted biceps, rolled-up sleeves, strong forearms, and—yep—those are children.
Finn has kids?
How did I not know this?
My focus jumps to his left hand instinctively.
No ring.
When I look back up, his eyes connect with mine, and he gives me a small grin. Maybe it doesn’t even count as a grin so muchas a flicker of his lips, but it does something bizarre to my equilibrium.
He’s not supposed togrinat me. That’s not on the checklist either.
I plant my feet firmly to steady myself and wave. “Hello, girls.”
The little girl tucked behind Finn’s right leg looks down at the ground as she drags her feet. Meanwhile, the other girl is already smiling, bouncing toward me.
“Morning, Millie.” The sound of my name in his deep timbre melts my mind like ice cream on a summer day.
“Finn.” It’s all I can come up with while my brain recovers.
I squat to the girls’ level to greet them. “Welcome to camp! We’re so excited to have you. I’m Ms. Millie.” I smile, grabbing the stack of tags and Sharpie out of my back pocket. “What are your names? I’m going to give you each a name tag.”
“This is Avery.” Finn tips his head toward the shy one before crouching next to her. Avery’s round cheeks are still pointed to the ground, showcasing her raven hair in a smooth, neat ponytail.
Her navy eyes look up at me through her dark lashes. “Hello.”
“Hi, Avery. I’m so happy you’re here.”
The other girl reaches out her hand, and I take it as she says, “I’m Eloise!” Her lighter brown hair is in wild waves around her face, her eyes perfectly matching Avery’s and Finn’s.
“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Avery and Eloise. We’re going to have so much fun together.” I make their name tags and pass them out. Avery puts hers carefully near her collarbone, and Eloise sticks hers sideways, right over her stomach.
“If you go inside, to that tall guy over there”—I point in the right direction—“that’s Mr. Micah, and he is showing everyone our tarantula, Terrence.”
Eloise drops her lunch box next to me and makes a mad dashfor Micah, but Avery grabs Finn’s hand again and looks at him with a frown.
“Do I have to go?” she whispers.
Finn’s eyes turn the softest I’ve ever seen them, creasing along the edges as he gives Avery a small grin. “Yes,piccola. I know you’re going to have fun, and I’ll see you in astronomy this afternoon.” He settles his hands on her shoulders, and I stand and turn slightly to give them some privacy.
Hearing Dr. Black Hole comfort his girls is warping my impression of him.
Avery sniffles but gives Finn a hug and walks right past me toward the table with the abandoned puzzle. His eyebrows draw together as he watches her.
“Don’t worry—she’ll have a great morning,” I try. “We have so much planned, she won’t have time to miss you.”
Finn stares at Avery like he’s in a daze, his lips a flat line. He looks to Eloise, who’s giggling as Terrence climbs up her arm. “Can you try not to split them up, if it’s not too much trouble? They need each other sometimes.”
