But—maybe it’s curiosity, maybe it’s that I’m a glutton for punishment, maybe I just want an excuse to be close to Finn—but I set the popcorn down and pick up the fabric from the table. “I think I’d like to learn how to multitask too.”
Her eyes come to mine.
Just for a second.
Then her expression softens and she nods. “Okay.”
The explanation doesn’t take long because it’s just tying knots, but I listen to her solemnly before I start tying.
Her eyes flick to Chloe, whose focus is glued to the screen as she pounds gummy worms and popcorn in equal measure, and then she leans closer, her lips going to my ear. “You don’t have to do this.”
I turn to face her, intending to tell her I don’t mind, and?—
Freeze.
Because her mouth is suddenlyrightthere and?—
Kiss me, Rhodes.
“No talking during the songs,” Chloe says sternly.
Finn and I jerk apart, and I clear my throat. “Got it, boss,” I manage to say in something close to a light tone.
She nods approvingly and focuses back on the movie.
I look back at Finn, but her gaze is on her lap, as though the fabric she’s pinning together is a matter of utmost importance.
But she’s present too.
Laughing at the right parts.
Singing along with Chloe to one of the songs.
Automatically passing Chloe her water cup before she asks for it, catching the blanket Chloe’s using when she wiggles too much and it starts slipping to the floor, rescuing Chloe’s stuffie from the clutches of Olive and Pear.
Little things.
The kind of things no one would notice unless they were in our home, unless they were living here…unless paying too much attention.
Which, clearly, I am.
As the plot winds down, Chloe starts to fade too.
Her little body grows heavier against my side. Her responses get slower and the singing stops all together. The gummy worm she’s clutching slips from her fingers and drops onto the blanket.
Finn notices first, picking up the remote and pausing the movie.
“She’s done for,” I murmur.
“Oh, yeah.” Finn’s smile is tender as she snags the candy, smooths back Chloe’s hair.
“I’ll take her up,” I whisper.
Finn nods, but when I shift forward, Chloe makes a sleepy protest and burrows more firmly against me, throwing an arm around Finn and I both.
We go still.
Then Finn looks at me, amusement and tenderness mingling in her gaze. “Maybe give her a minute?”
