“Well, you’re not wrong,” I admit, rolling my eyes. “I guess I’ll make them for you.”
Finn opens his container of pad kee mao and scoops up a bite. “Are you ready for next week?”
A lump forms in my throat. “I don’t know how ready I can be to meet the person I’m competing against for a promotion.”
Finn nods. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“Are we allowed to?” I ask, my brows pulling together. “I’ve managed to get this far without prying information from you, but I can’t deny that I’m curious.”
He shrugs. “I’m not on the panel anymore.”
“It feels like cheating, though. I don’t want any special treatment.”
“Well, I won’t give you any information you’re uncomfortable with. But I’ll answer any questions you have as honestly as I can if you want.”
I pull my lips between my teeth as curiosity swirls through my mind. The questions are endless. But as I filter through them, one thought seems to encompass most of my concerns.
I’ll allow myself that one question and his one answer, and I’ll leave it at that.
“Are we evenly matched?”
Finn sets down his drink and meets my gaze. “You are,” he says in a soothing tone. “You each have different skills and abilities to bring to the position, but both of you are very passionate and would make great department directors.”
I bite the inside of my cheek and try to let the sharp sting steal my focus from the pain his words are causing.
But it doesn’t work well. I try to remind myself this is not a betrayal. Even if I don’t like his words, I asked for his honest answer, and he gave it.
My tongue burns to ask follow-up questions, but I won’t let them out. I refuse to allow my relationship with him to impact my promotion. I’ve worked too hard to taint this experience with secrets and insider information.
“Okay. That’s all I want to know,” I tell him, and he nods, rolling us into a new topic.
As we dive into the rest of our food, the sun completes its final show of the day around us. I block out all thoughts of next week, and the conversation flows easily as we talk about our high school and college experiences and what we’ve done in life since then. We end the feast with ice cream cones, Finn’s arm around my shoulder the whole time we savor our treats.
“When do you need to be home for the girls?” I ask as we walk back to his car.
“I told Gabriella I’d be home at eleven tomorrow morning,” he replies, completely nonchalant. He turns to catch my questioning gaze and chuckles softly. “We have the whole night to spend together.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. Dr. Kline ordered me to practice taking time for myself away from the girls, and I want to spend it with you.” He laces our fingers together. “That does not mean we have to do anything you’re uncomfortable with. You get to choose. We could just sleep next to each other and wake up together tomorrow morning and I’d be thankful you let me.”
I flash him a bright smile. “And if I want more than that?”
***
Oaks Folks
Dad:Wishing Avery and Eloise were here to play Uno with me. Your mother’s out with Eva and I’m bored.
Millie:Maybe Fabes will play with you.
Fabes:He hasn’t asked me. Probably scared I’ll beat him.
Tess:From what I hear, he was going pretty easy on Ave and El. He must not be as sharp as he was when we were little.
Fabes:Maybe all that homemade beer killed too many brain cells.
Dad:Stop hiding in your room and find out, Fabes.
