“Someone I met. You weren’t there.” I cringe deep inside my brain.
A low rumble creeps from Finn’s chest, but I try my best to ignore him as I announce, “We’re going to Nacho Mama’s.”
Lena folds her arms over her chest and leans back in her seat casually. “How wild is that? I have a date there Saturday too.” Her smile is full of mischievous danger.
My expression is as casual as I can muster in light of the lies I’m drowning in. “Perfect. Maybe I’ll see you there.”
Finn abruptly shoves his chair back with a loud scrape and trudges to the kitchen, muttering something under his breath.
Lena meets my eyes across the table and winks.
Chapter 15
Finn
My knuckles are bleached white from squeezing the granite counter. I’m trying to rein in whatever is happening right now, but it’s like a waterfall of jealousy washing over me, pelting my shoulders, and I can’t get out from under it.
I made it all the way to Millie’s kitchen before I realized I couldn’t make myself the drink I was craving. A couple of shots sound good right now, but I settle for a swig of cranberry juice so I can drive the girls home safely.
Everyone at the table is back to talking and laughing, but all I can do is stand here, forcing my breath to return to normal while my jaw aches from how hard I’m clenching it.
When Millie opened the door this evening with her dazzling smile, realization collided into my heart like a freight train.
I want to be around this woman every day. Her presence feels like the storm clouds are parting. Like the sun is finally shining over me, brightening my day. And these sporadic moments together aren’t enough.
I’ve loved watching her laugh and talk trash with her friends this evening. They’re so welcoming that it almost feels like they’remyfriends.
But then she announced she has a date on Saturday, and everything in my brain froze like a computer glitch. I couldn’t even refocus on the conversation because my mind was stuck on an image of some lucky asshole watching her across a candlelit table while she smiles for him and teases him with her smart mouth.
I hate it.
Fuck this guy.
“Uncle Finn?” Ave appears next to me and yawns as she leans her head on my hip. “I’m weely sleepy.”
I lift her into my arms, and she drops her cheek onto my shoulder. “Sounds like I need to get you to bed,piccola.”
The term of endearment always reminds me of my sister. My grandparents called Clara “little one” in Italian even in the hospital after she’d had her own little girls.
I walk into the living room and look toward the Legos, but Eloise isn’t there. Instead, I find her curled up in Millie’s lap, sound asleep with her face pressed into Millie’s neck.
My breath catches for a moment because Eloise looks sorightthere. Comfortable enough to go to sleep without me, safe in Millie’s arms.
Millie must feel me watching her and meets my eyes, a soft smile on her lips. She pulls El closer and whispers, “She’s so sweet, Finn. I can’t even take it.”
I can’t either.
Instead, I say, “I’m going to pack up and get these girls home to bed.”
Emil jumps up from the table. “I’ll get your stuff. You have precious cargo there.” He rubs Avery’s back as he passes and walks into the kitchen.
I glance over the mess the girls left on the floor and move to set Ave on the couch to clean it up, but Millie’s voice stops me.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll get it all later,” she assures me before she stands with a groan and carries Eloise to the front door. It’s almost comical watching someone a foot shorter than me carry a kid the same size as the one in my arms.
A quiet, clear night greets us as Millie, Emil, and I walk to my SUV in the driveway. Emil drops my bag in the front, and Millie and I put the girls in their booster seats on opposite sides of the car before we shut the doors as quietly as possible.
Emil reaches his arms out for a hug. “Come back soon. Micah needs someone to take him down a notch.”
