Page 40 of My Merry Mistake
They tend to forget that not all love stories have a happy ending.
“Embellish as you see fit,” he says. “Just let me know if you change any details.”
“Okay, thanks,” I say.
“Have a good night.”
I hang up, realizing it’s already starting. We’re already a team. A united front. Two partners with a common goal.
Good plan, Raya.
I pull into Dallas’s driveway behind Eloise’s car, get out, and walk to the door. I ring the doorbell and wait for the inevitable barrage, like Hobbes tackling Calvin when he gets home from school.
I’m also trying not to freak out about all the work waiting for me when I get home. I’m behind, and I hate being behind.
I pull out my phone and check my to-do list, noticing the start of a headache in my temples. Maybe Dallas can spare two Advil.
The door opens and both Poppy and Eloise grab my arms and pull me inside. “You have alotof explaining to do!”
“You didn’t even text us back,” Eloise says.
“Well, I’m here now,” I say. “But I can’t stay. Just figured it would be easier to, you know, get this over with.”
They both stare at me. “I’m sorry—‘get this over with’?” Eloise crosses her arms over her chest. “You have two adoring sisters who are merely asking for every single detail of your love life as it unfolds, and you act like this is achore? I’m offended.”
I roll my eyes and look at Poppy. “I was promised tiny meatballs.”
She giggles and motions for me to follow her.
I slip my coat off and hang it on a hook by the door. I’m not dressed for game night. While my sisters are both wearing sweatpants and hoodies, I’m wearing an off-the-shoulder black top with flowy, wide-leg white pants and pointy black heels. This realization makes me even more excited to get home and change. These shoes are killing me.
I walk into the kitchen just as Finn walks in from the other side. We both stop. His eyes meet mine, widening as his gaze quickly scans my body, lingering on my bare shoulders. He doesn’t say a word.
Eloise looks at him, then at me, then back at him. “You good, buddy?”
I’ve made eye contact with him dozens of times, but there’s something different about the way he’s looking at me now. Something I can’t quite place.
And even though I want to look away—I can’t.
The butterflies burst out of their cocoons and are flapping around inside my entire body.
“You look—” He nods, and I brace myself for some ridiculous and embarrassing flirty comment, surprised when he says, “You look really pretty, Raya.”
For a second, the rest of the room goes quiet, almost like we’re the only two in here.
Oh.
“Thank you . . .” I say quietly, only slightly aware of the little knowing glances between my sisters.
“You should wear your hair down more often,” Finn looks at me seriously, no trace of his usual casual smile. “It’s really nice.”
I absently reach up and tug on a strand of my hair, skin electric and feeling weird and goose-bumpy, unsure what to do with what sounded like a genuine compliment.
Then I come to my senses and frown. “Finn, did you hit your head? What is wrong with you?”
“Let’s go, uh, into the guest room.” Eloise grabs my hand and pulls me out the door. Then to Finn, “We’ll be right back.”
On my way out, I catch a glimpse of him turned to Poppy, with a questioning look on his face. It almost reads,Was that okay?
