Page 36 of The Kissing Part
Ding-dong. We pull apart at the sound of the doorbell. Goosebumps rise on my arms. We were only expecting Cooper.
I rush to reassure my new sisters. “Matt wouldn’t ring the bell.”
“We’re not bending our life around one sad little stalker man,” Harper says. “After we’ve taken precautions, I say we go about life as usual.”
Ding-dong.
Mackenzie gestures toward the door. “It could be Finn. I asked him to stop by to talk about painting some of the interior rooms. He’s looking to make some extra money to buy a car.” Finn is her youngest brother.
Ding-dong.
Part of me wants Owen to go downstairs and answer the door, but I know he’s not our butler.
I try to sound cheery despite my fear. “It sounds so official, like this is a real home with a real doorbell.”
“Of course it’s a real home,” Harper says.
“Maybe we could change it so it’s more of a chime than a ding-dong,” Mackenzie says.
“I’ll get the door,” Olivia announces from the hallway.
Owen follows her. “Look through the peephole before opening it.”
Mackenzie heads downstairs. “Finn!”
Harper and I follow. Finn’s resemblance to Mackenzie and Cooper is clear, same dark hair and angular cheekbones. He has blue eyes like Mackenzie. He’s nineteen, on break from college. I caught up with him at the party last weekend.
“Saw Cooper’s car out front,” Finn says to Mackenzie. “You paying him too?”
“Shh,” Mackenzie says. “He volunteered to fix stuff. You get paid because I know you’re a poor college student.”
He pulls a flip book from his back jeans pocket. “I brought paint samples. Just let me know what you want.”
Olivia holds out her palm. “I’ll take that since I’ll be doing the ordering. We want to keep things neutral for the eclectic collection of furniture coming in here.” She studies her clipboard. “Some very different styles merging with this move.”
Finn stares at her, his jaw slack. Like he’s starstruck, only Olivia isn’t famous.
“Can I have the paint samples?” Olivia prompts.
“I’m Finn Campbell,” he says, offering his hand.
She shakes it firmly. “Olivia Wagner. I’m Shayla’s assistant.” She takes the paint sample book from his other hand.
“She’s so much more than an assistant,” I say. “She’s a genius life organizer. And a graduate of film school.”
“Cool,” Finn says. “I live about four blocks from here if you ever want to get a drink.”
Mackenzie titters. “Finnie, she’s closer to my age. You’re still a teenager.”
“So?” Finn says. “I’m an adult.”
Olivia smooths her hair and sends me acan you believe thislook. As a rule, men don’t ask Olivia out for drinks. In fact, I don’t think she’s dated since college, which is a shame because she’s cute and brilliant. Today she’s wearing a baggy short-sleeved shirt over leggings with her standard black steel-toed boots. Okay, so she’s not a fashionista, but she has many fine qualities. I’m glad Finn sees past her weekend outfit.
Finn moves closer to talk to Olivia, pointing out some colors in the paint sample book. He looks at her profile often, seeming to admire her. She studies the paint colors, oblivious to his attention.
I gesture for everyone to join me in the living room to give them some space. Once we’re all in the room, Mackenzie whispers, “I’ve never seen Finn look like that before. Like he was struck by lightning the moment he saw her.”
“Love goggled,” Harper says way too loud.
