Jacob shrugged like it wasn’t. “It’s a job. A stressful one, but a good one.”
Finn hesitated, then said, “My parents are heart surgeons too. They worked in Boston for years. They, uh… moved back to Denmark not too long ago.”
Jacob’s eyebrows lifted. “Wait—your parents are the married Andersen heart surgeons?”
Finn’s stomach did a weird flip. “Uh… yeah?”
Jacob’s face broke into a surprised, delighted smile. “I know them. I’ve worked with both of them on special cases. Your dad is brilliant. Your mom—she’s terrifying in the OR, in the best way.”
Finn huffed out a laugh. “Yeah, that sounds right.”
“I’d heard they were leaving the States,” Jacob said, softer now. “Didn’t know it had happened already.”
“Yeah.” Finn tried to keep his voice light, but it came out thinner than he wanted. “They stayed with me for a bit before they left.”
Jacob nodded, studying him with that doctor-gaze—gentle, observant, like he was checking for bruises under the skin. “That must’ve been a lot.”
Finn shrugged, eyes dropping to the table. “It’s fine.”
Jacob didn’t push, which somehow made it worse and better at the same time. He just smiled again, warm and steady. “Well… for what it’s worth, they always spoke highly of you.”
Finn’s chest tightened. “They did?”
“Yeah,” Jacob said. “Your dad talked about you like you were this… bright spot. Like walking sunshine.”
Finn’s face went hot. He didn’t know what to do with that—Jacob saying it, Jacob looking at him like that. He managed a quiet, “Thanks.”
When their breakfast plates arrived, Finn’s attention snapped to the other side of the car. Maurice, David, and Theo were sitting together. Finn’s stomach tightened for a second before he realized Maurice didn’t have anyone new with him. No one leaning in close. No one claimed the seat beside him.
Okay. Good. That’s… good.
Finn tried to focus on Jacob, but every few minutes he glanced over. Maurice was laughing at something David said, head tipped back just a little.
Why do you do that to me? Why do I care this much already?
Now and then, Maurice’s gaze flicked up and met his. Just long enough to feel like a spark jumped between them. Finn looked away at first each time, pretending to adjust his fork or take a sip of coffee.
Stop staring. He’ll notice. He already notices. And you’re supposed to be socializing, remember? Not acting like some lovesick idiot.
Maurice looked over again, eyes bright with something Finn didn’t dare name, and something in Finn lit up fast as if the train itself had nudged him forward.
Jacob was saying something about the best time of year to hike in the Rockies when Finn felt a shift in the room—small, but enough to pull his attention like a magnet.
Maurice stood up from his table. Finn tried not to stare. He failed immediately. Maurice said something to David and Theo, then started walking across the Dining Car… straight toward him. Finn’s pulse jumped.
Oh god. Okay. Act normal. Don’t choke on your coffee. Don’t look like you’ve been watching him this whole time.
Jacob noticed the movement too and glanced over his shoulder. “Friend of yours?”
“Uh,” Finn said, sitting up a little too fast, “kind of.”
Maurice stopped at their table, hands in his pockets, expression calm but his eyes sincere in that way that made Finn feel seen. Too seen.
“Morning,” Maurice said, giving Jacob a polite nod before focusing on Finn. “Sorry to interrupt.”
Finn swallowed. “You’re not interrupting.”
Maurice’s mouth twitched as if he’d heard the truth under that. “I just wanted to tell you I’ve got something of yours I need to return.”
