Page 100 of Finn Rhodes Forever

I coughed to hide my laugh. This was going to be so good.

At the back of the bookstore, a few people from town gathered. Miri and Don were there. Naya, the artist who painted the mural outside, was chatting with Thérèse, one of Hannah’s friends.

“Oh, look,” I said in a casual tone, tapping Finn’s arm. “Dot’s here.” Dot chatted enthusiastically with a woman who worked at the grocery store.

Finn frowned. “Okay.”

The door opened and Elizabeth walked in.

Beside me, Finn stiffened. “Mom.”

She paused inside the door, regarding us with an amused smile. “Hello, Finn. Olivia.”

I gave her a nod, glancing between her and Finn.

Finn’s eyes narrowed and he glanced down at me. “Are you kidding?”

“Nope.”

He winced. “Is this going to be weird?”

“Yep.”

He chuckled and shook his head. “Alright, you’re on. I’m going to go chat with Wyatt for a bit.”

I took a seat and watched him wander over to his brother and niece. Elizabeth took the seat beside me.

She studied me with that little smile. “Is this going to be a regular thing?”

“Probably not.”

She smiled wider. “I figured as much. I’m beginning to think Finn isn’t the only devil around here.”

“I’m trying to expand his mind, Elizabeth.” I adopted an innocent expression.

“I’m sure.” Her eyes glittered and she opened her mouth to say something but hesitated, studying me.

I raised my eyebrows at her, waiting.

“I’m sure you’ll be working but we’re having a family dinner the last Friday of the month.” Her smile lifted as she watched me. “We’d love for you to join.”

She said it like she expected me to say no, the way I always said no.

“Sure,” I told her. I had a shift but could easily find another bartender to fill in for me. “That would be great.”

The apples of her cheeks popped as she smiled wider. “Excellent.”

I nodded, and my gaze strayed to where Finn was holding Cora, bouncing her up and down while she laughed.

My heart squeezed. Holy hell, that was cute. Finn with a baby, being silly with her, smiling at her like that? My ovaries did backflips, begging for attention. I couldn’t tear my eyes off them. Wyatt leaned against the bookshelf, glancing between his daughter and Hannah on the other side of the store, and a funny tension wrapped around my heart.

Longing.

For the first time, I wanted what they had.

Maybe I had always wanted it, I just never let myself consider it.

Finn blew a raspberry on Cora’s belly and her giggling filled the entire store. I remembered what Finn had said about wanting to be all my firsts. Wanting to fill a house up with a bunch of kids.

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