Page 24 of Molly's Mr. Wrong
“Continue in the class,” she said in a low voice.
Finn dropped his gaze, toward the floor this time, instead of to her belly button, a deep frown drawing his dark eyebrows together, and Molly found herself thinking,Come on. Don’t be such a guy about this.
When he finally raised his gaze, she saw a glimmer of determination there.Yes.
“You want me to continue in the class to soothe your conscience.”
“I can also help you.”
“And soothe your conscience.”
“Come on, Finn. I don’t have all that much to feel guilty about.” He raised an eyebrow and she said, “I feel bad, but I was doing my job. I’m not losing sleep.”
“We’re in the same boat.”
Now it was her turn to frown. “Meaning...?”
“I feel the need to soothe my conscience, too.”
Molly’s heartbeat stuttered. He couldn’t mean...
The look on his face told her he did. But she waited for him to say the actual words before beginning her protest.
“I want a chance to make up for the shitty homecoming date.”
“No, you don’t.” The words blurted out instantly.
“Yes. I do.”
The furnace blasted on and Molly stepped over to the thermostat and turned it off. There was more than enough heat in the kitchen, thank you very much. When she turned back to Finn, she expected to see a challenging smirk on his face. There wasn’t one.
“You’re serious.”
“Totally.”
“Then it would have to be after semester, because I can’t go out with a student.”
“Not even an old friend?”
“We were never friends.”
“We might have been if I’d known about the belly ring.”
Oh, thank goodness.They were back on solid ground. This Finn she could deal with. “That date is ancient history. You don’t have anything to make up for.”
“Here’s the deal. I’ll stay in English and you’ll let me make up for that lousy night.”
Molly opened her mouth to argue, then thought better of it. If she said yes, she had a good three months to get out of allowing him to make up for anything.
“You drive a hard bargain.”
“So do you.”
She held his gaze as if afraid that looking away would give him time to think up another twist on the deal. “I agree,” she finally said. “If you show up for the next class.”
“I’ll be there.” Another burst of laughter came from the direction of the living room and Finn fought a weary smile. “We need to get back to the store.”
“I need to pay you.”
