"Please.Anyone with good sense would fight to keep Prince Sullivan."
"That includes you, right?"Finn stepped closer."Or maybe what's really bothering you is that he doesn't see you as anything, not even someone worth fighting for, while here is little young me, who he sees completely in every single way."
"You…"
"Stay mad, Rod.Even if he and I don't work out, you will never get into his bed.Because he doesn't want you."
With that last jab, Finn walked away, and this time Roderick didn’t stop him.He had just turned the corner when he heard another voice.
"Well done back there."
Finn looked over his shoulder and saw the most gorgeous woman sauntering toward him, dressed in a black high-low off-the-shoulder cocktail dress, holding two drinks.Finn knew who she was.He had met her once since beginning his friendship with Bevin, only because she lived on the west coast and had been on a business trip when she visited.
Nova Westmoreland stopped in front of him with a smile."Here, you left this."She handed him the drink he’d set on the bar top earlier.
"Thanks."Finn took a sip, not really tasting the alcohol.
"You should let Prince know what happened," she suggested, but Finn shook his head.
"You saw that?"he asked, wondering how he had missed such a gorgeous woman listening in on his confrontation with Roderick.
"I can handle Roderick," he said.He didn’t need Prince or even Bevin to fight his battles.
"Don't listen to Roderick about Prince's feelings for you.I've never seen him smile like this.I used to drag him to these events, and he'd sit in the corner brooding the entire night.Not even his father could get him to smile."
"And you think I had something to do with it?"Finn asked.
"What else could it be?"
Finn shook his head, not sure he believed it, but a question came to him."Are you okay with Prince and me being together?"
Nova barked out a laugh, holding her stomach."My boy, I'm his ex-wife, not his mother.Besides, I doubt you two rushed into each other's arms the second you realized you had feelings for each other."
Finn lowered his head, trying to hide his smile."No, we fought it."
"Exactly."She patted him on the shoulder."As long as you two are happy and are in this for the right reasons, anything I have to say is inconsequential.Not only that, Bevin accepts your relationship, and his heart is all I care about."
Finn looked at her."Thank you."
She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek."Make him happy, Finn.That is all I need from you."
Finn nodded, seeing the sincerity in her eyes, and realized Bevin was blessed with two great parents.He envied his best friend just a little more for it, but was grateful they had welcomed him into their lives.
"Get your hands off my man."
Both of them looked over to see Prince leaning against a column with his hands in his pockets, as if he had been standing there for quite some time.Prince had cut his hair to collar length, his beard perfectly manicured, giving him a younger appearance.Tonight, he wore a cobalt blue shirtless suit, offering a glimpse of his chest that Finn was already itching to touch.
Prince walked over and pulled Finn away from Nova, wrapping his arms around Finn's waist."Mine."
"I wouldn't dare take him away from you," she smiled, warmth reaching her eyes.Yet it sparkled far too much, making Finn uneasy."Have you told Father that you're dating?"
Finn looked at Prince when his arms tightened around him."Not yet.I wanted to wait a little longer."
"Wait, my ass, you're scared," Nova teased.
"Will Mr.Sullivan be upset that Prince and I are together?"
"Oh no, darling," Nova said."He will be thrilled in more ways than one."She looked at Prince."Hearing that Prince has found new love, he would be dancing for joy.He might forget he just had knee surgery.Maybe I should go and give him the good news."
