Page 51 of Anchored to the Storm

That shocked me. “For what?”

“Pure jealousy.”

What?

He read my expression and continued, “Yup. The way Ethan has watched your every move, for years, made me so envious I kind of… hated you.” He winced.

I grabbed my chest and sat back in my seat. “I’m not sure if I should be upset or honored.” Then it dawned on me. “Wait… For years?”

Finn smiled at me. I couldn’t be sure; however, I sensed in his smile that he was proud I had just caught on to this amazing reveal, and he was the one who got to show it to me. “Like you are the star of his water.”

I sucked in air for what felt like five minutes. That meant Ethan felt for me what Johnny felt for his mermaid.

Finn lifted a brow. “Can ya blame me for being jealous?”

“But… But… I was with Caleb.”

Finn brushed it off casually but said, “Oh yeah, that about killed him.”

I covered my mouth. “Oh my God.”

Holding the steering wheel with one hand, he lifted his shoulder. “Then Johnny came, and you two became tight.”

“Oh. My. God.”

“I don’t think the Ol’ Holy got anything on this one.”

That humor helped me breathe. “Finn, behave.”

“I guess now the question is, how do you feel about Ethan? Besides wanting to lick him.” He tongue-swiped the air.

I smacked his arm. “I thought, all this time, it was only attraction I never acted on because of Caleb.”

“And maybe it is still only that.” He mumbled to himself, “Not even a chance.” Before I could respond, he declared, “We’re here!” He released my hand and parked the Jeep.

Kristen was already sitting at a picnic table, going through manila folders under a shaded tree. Her head lifted, and she spotted us. Concern flitted across her brow before she slowly rose to her feet. When we got closer, she softly asked, “How are you both doing?”

We both shrugged as we sat across from her. I wondered if Finn was as nervous as I was.

Gathering the oxygen I needed into my lungs and exhaling, I said, “Thanks for meeting us.”

There wasn’t any condemnation in her tone but definitely concern. “I assume this is about Johnny’s adoption.”

“Yes,” Finn answered, and at the same time, I said, “Sort of.”

One of her dark brows rose. “Sort of.” She wasn’t looking at Finn but staring directly into my eyes. “I’m all ears.”

And hopefully moving lips. “Umm… We need to find Johnny.” I couldn’t tell her about the water or why I couldn’t shake the feeling of urgency. “I need—I want to talk to him, but I can’t. His number is already disconnected.”

“I see.” She didn’t seem surprised about Johnny’s phone. “Sadly, I can’t give information of that nature to you. It’s private.”

“Bullshit,” Finn responded, surprising me, placing his palms on the table. “That’s an excuse, Kristen.”

She responded, “I know you’re hurting right now. Johnny leaving was a shock. It’ll take time to adjust⁠—”

“Adjust?” I blurted, interrupting her. “I don’t have time to adjust!”

With a quizzical stare, she asked, “Is something going on?”