"What?Mr.Sullivan, I can't stay with you," Finn said, clearly caught off guard.
"Why not?"Prince asked pointedly, his gaze locking onto Finn.
Finn seemed to hesitate."Well, it's just that you don't need to do that.We don't, I mean, you're…" He paused, stumbling over his words before trying again."I could simply go to another hotel and work things out later."
Prince ignored Finn's protest."The only thing you can do right now is get some rest.Besides, the next hotel is miles away.Now that you know you were scammed, you need to cancel your credit cards and dispute any charges, and we will make sure you are refunded."He glared at Monroe, silently making it clear what needed to be done."My cabin is big enough to accommodate the both of us.If nothing else, do it for Bevin and my peace of mind.If he finds out I didn't help you, he'll whine for ages, and you're the only one who knows how annoying he can be."
That brought a smile to the kid's lips, and Prince noticed Finn's eyes for the first time.He had always thought they were solely brown, but there were flecks of red, like rubies, that glistened when he smiled.Maybe it was another layer of Leaps serum that had altered human genetics, still making itself known even decades later.The serum had changed everything, rewriting biology in ways the world was still discovering.
"Fine," Finn sighed at last, giving in."I'll stay with you until I get things figured out.But I must pay for half the cabin."
"That's not necessary," Prince said, brushing him off, then stepped around him to get the key from Monroe."Have his bags sent to my cabin.We're heading to the dining room to get something to eat."
"Yes, sir," Monroe said, straightening.
Prince turned and noticed Finn staring at him."What's the problem?"
"I always wondered where Bevin got his bossiness from.Now I know."
"This is bossy?"Prince smiled.
"Wouldn't that explain everything you just did?"Finn asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Nah, this is me taking care of my son's best friend," Prince said lightly.
"I feel like you're going to use that excuse a lot," Finn said.
"If it gets you to do what I want, I'll take all the advantage."Prince chuckled."Come on, let's get you something to eat.Then I'll show you to our cabin so you can get settled."
"Okay, and if I haven't said it yet, thank you," Finn whispered, his voice softer now.
"It's no problem."Prince guided Finn to the restaurant and was surprised to see Roderick still sitting at the table.
"You're back," Roderick said, standing slowly."Where did you go?"
"I had to take care of something," Prince replied evenly, then looked at Finn."Sit and order whatever you want, and charge it to the cabin.It's E-1."
"You don't have to do this.I can go to the cabin and order room service," Finn protested.
"Your room isn't ready," Prince told him calmly."I wasn't expecting to share my cabin, so I've been using it as storage."
"Storage?How long have you been here?"Finn asked.
Prince smirked."Since the end of last semester.I took a leave of absence and have been working remotely."His eyes held Finn's for a heartbeat longer than necessary."Now sit down and eat before I change my mind about being generous."
"Then I'd go complain to Bevin that his big bad dad was being mean to me."Finn pouted, and honestly, Prince found it kind of adorable.
"Prince, what's going on?"Roderick asked."Who is this?"
"Finn.He's Bevin's best friend," Prince said, picking up the menu and handing it to the kid.
"Bevin is here?"Roderick asked excitedly as he sat back down.
"No, he's in Jamaica," Prince replied."I told you this year we're spending the holiday apart."
"Oh," Roderick said, disappointed.
Prince glanced at Roderick, wondering about the look on his face.As far as he knew, his son and his friend had only met once during their friendship, and Bevin had not seemed too keen on Roderick.Shaking it off he thought back to his son.Bevin had said he wanted to spend the holidays with his friends this year, and since Prince seriously needed a break from work, he hadn’t seen a problem with it.Although he came from an influential family, Prince chose a different path and became a college professor.
