It’s time Finn and I have that moment.
Nineteen
Finn
I’m washingthe dishes when he comes downstairs and stands beside me, picking up the casserole dish I just washed, and drying it.
“Thanks,” I say softly.
“Thankyoufor cooking.” A blip of quiet. “Even though I keep telling you that you don’t have to do it, and that you definitely don’t have to cook forme.”
“I like cooking.” I shrug. “And it’s no different cooking for three versus two.”
“Hmm,” he says. “Well, thank you all the same.”
My mouth tips up. “You’re welcome.”
He falls quiet as I finish up with the rest of the dirty dishes, but he doesn’t leave, just keeps drying the pots and pans, loading the plates and silverware in the dishwasher.
It’s efficient.
And nice.
If I wasn’t riddled with guilt, I would be soaking it in, committing every moment to memory, holding it close for when I go away.
“Is she asleep?” I ask quietly.
He nods. “Yeah.”
“I’m so?—”
He cups my jaw. “It’s not your fault.” I shake my head—or try to. Because he stops me, using his other hand to hold my face steady. “It’snotyour fault.” He sighs. “I didn’t think she was ready. I should have shown her the box sooner, should have known better.”
“I…itismy fault. Of course my leaving is a trigger.” I close my eyes, my throat going tight, the words hurting even to just think them. “Maybe I should— Maybe it would be better if you found someone else?—”
“No,”he rasps.
“But, Rhodes,” I begin. “I don’t want to hurt?—”
“You love Chloe,” he says, and I feel a tear slide free.
He uses his thumb to brush it away.
“You love her and she needs people who love her.”
“But—”
“No buts.” He wipes away another tear. “My job could take me to another team tomorrow. The location isn’t important. It’s the people who are.”
I want that so much to be true, so much so that I stop fighting it, that I give in to have them a little longer. “Are you sure?”
He nods. “Yeah, Stitch. I’m sure.”
Relief sliding through me. Then, “Why do you keep calling me that?”
“Because I’m pretty sure you have magical sewing powers.”
My brows drag together in confusion.
