June nudges my arm. “Ah now, you’re not going to let an Irish lad nick your girl, are ya?”
The accent she attempts is exaggerated enough that I laugh despite myself.
“You’re pretty good at that.”
She grins proudly. “My boss is dating Rogue Gallagher. We make fun of him constantly, so I’ve had practice.”
I shake my head, smiling.
Then she turns serious again, resting her arm lightly across my shoulder. “Seriously, though,” she says. “I’m team Firefighter.”
Before I can answer, April comes barreling over, grabbing her arm with zero warning.
“Come on! We’re doing the penny slots!”
June laughs and hops down, pointing at me once before she disappears. “Don’t give up that easy.”
The sisters run off together, a cluster of girls forming around them as they move toward the casino floor, and a moment later, May follows with Finn close beside her.
I drain the last of my beer and head toward the bathroom, needing a minute away from the noise. I turn on the faucet, splash cold water across my face, and stare at my reflection while the drops slide down my skin.
I brace my hands against the sink and breathe until my shoulders loosen. I dry my face and step back into the hallway, only to find Finn there.
He fills the space, broad shoulders planted like he’s waiting for me, and when I slow, expecting him to move, he doesn’t.
I stop a few feet away, already annoyed at him.
“What do you want?” I ask.
His jaw tightens. “I want to know why the feck you’re always around.”
I blink once, keeping my voice calm. “I was invited.”
“You’re everywhere,” he says, frustration running under his words. “At her house. Around her friends. Every time I turn around.”
The hallway feels smaller now, tension pulling tight between us.
“You should step back,” he adds. “Leave her alone.”
“That’s not your call.”
His expression hardens, shoulders going rigid. “I’m not backing away from her.”
“And that’s your choice,” I reply. “But she gets to decide too.”
He exhales sharply, frustration obvious, but I hold my ground.
“It’s up to May,” I say. “Not you, or me. Her.”
The silence stretches between us, thick and charged.
“I’m not giving up on her,” he says finally.
I nod once. “Good. Because I’m not either.”
My voice stays calm, steady, even as I meet his stare.
“As long as she wants me,” I say, “I’ll be here for her.”
