Page 139 of Finn Rhodes Forever

“You’ll watch her?” Wyatt asked.

Finn shrugged. “Sure. I’m not working, and this will give me a chance to take her to the candy store and spoil her rotten.”

“Alright.” Wyatt shrugged. “Thank you so much.”

Hannah leaned forward. “We really appreciate it, Finn.”

He waved them off, smiling. “Don’t mention it. Seriously.” He smiled at me, and again, my heart dipped.

As conversation resumed, my thoughts wandered back to what the girls had said earlier in the summer, how Finn never used to make plans, but now he did. Like he was setting down roots.

I glanced at him sitting beside me, chatting with Wyatt about surfing.

“I want to buy a new board,” Finn was saying, arms folded over his chest. “My old one’s had it.”

He was sticking around, but a part of me held back. I’d spent so long hating him and being angry, and this summer had flown by. I needed a bit more time to adjust, and then I could say the words.

In Hannah’s lap, Cora squirmed, pointing at me. I smiled at her.

“She wants to sit with you,” Hannah said. “Is that okay?”

I chuckled. “Of course.”

Hannah stood and set Cora down in my lap. I leaned forward to smile down at the chubby, adorable kid, and she kicked her feet, giggling. My heart expanded in my chest.

Okay, I could see the appeal of this, having kids and all. The initial stages seemed terrifying, with pregnancy and giving birth, but this? Having a sweet little squishy cutie who resembled me and Finn? Maybe they would have Finn’s eyes, or my freckles. Cora reached for Finn and he took her hand, shaking it like he was introducing himself, and I laughed. It would be the cutest thing ever, seeing Finn with our children.

Inside me, my emotions warred, and my jaw locked up. When I was ready, I’d say the words.

52

Olivia

Later,I headed inside to use the washroom and lingered in the hallway, peering at the family photos hanging on the wall.

My gaze landed on the one of me and Finn on grad night. We were standing under the wooden arch Sam had made in the backyard, laughing and smiling at each other, so happy and young. Elizabeth had snapped the picture at the perfect moment. My breath caught in my throat. In the picture, we looked at each other like we loved each other.

Footsteps made me turn, and Elizabeth stepped up behind me.

“I love that one,” she said softly. “I always knew you’d find your way back to each other.” She slid a gaze to me, studying my face. “You and Finn see each other.”

In my chest, my heart did somersaults.

Her eyes lingered on my face. “Honey, I’m sorry if I ever made you uncomfortable, trying to talk to you over the years. I should have given you more space.” A wry smile twisted onto her mouth. “It was hard, not having you around. You were always like a daughter to me.” She sighed. “I didn’t get a girl, and you were always so special.”

Elizabeth’s gaze swung to the other pictures—a candid photo of Avery behind the bar at her restaurant, Hannah smiling with pride in front of her bookstore, and Sadie standing beside a painting during her exhibit at the art gallery in town last year.

Oh. My heart ached, and suddenly, I saw the last twelve years through her eyes. The air whooshed out of my lungs.

“Now you have a whole bunch of girls,” I said quietly.

“I do.” Her arm came around my shoulders and with her other hand, she tapped the framed photo beside Sadie’s.

It was a picture Finn had taken of me in front of the flower, eyes shining in the bright sun. My eyes stung again and I sniffed.

“Even if you didn’t find it, honey, I’d be so proud of you and the woman you’ve grown into.” She smiled at the photo of me. “You and Finn getting into trouble never mattered, only that you were there for each other.” She pressed a kiss to my temple before letting me go.

“Elizabeth?”

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