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F O R T Y T H R E E
- Maeve -
The first thing I saw when I entered the kitchen was the sobering expression on Brie’s face. “You guys need a hand with anything?”
Finn looked spooked when he turned around, his face unusually pale.
“No,” she said, smiling sweetly. “Got the dishes done in record time thanks to this guy.” She pointed a thumb at Finn. “Is everyone still good for drinks?”
I nodded and wondered if I was imagining the tension in the room. “You sure you’re alright?” I asked, trying to read Finn’s shifty gaze. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“Not at all,” Brie said, waving my concern away. “I was just asking Finn if he ever wanted kids.”
No wonder he looked ill. “Finn already has kids,” I said. “The best kind you could hope for.”
His chest relaxed visibly, but part of me regretted butting in.
Confusion shrouded Brie’s face. “What do you mean?”
“I teach guitar lessons at the Y by my house,” he said, glancing my way. “I think that’s what Maeve’s referring to.”
I don’t know why he looked so miserable. I thought he’d be grateful I gave him such an easy out.
“So you like kids?” she asked.
“Leave him alone,” I said, unconvinced by her feigned innocence. “He didn’t come here to get the third degree from you.”
“My bad,” she said, raising her palms as she drifted by. “Seemed like a natural question in light of your happy news.”
Poor Finn. He probably came in here to get a break from my brother’s watchful gaze only to get grilled at close quarters. “Do you regret coming?” I asked, walking over to him as soon as she left the room. “I bet a night at the bar would’ve been a lot more relaxing for you.”
“Of course not,” he said, slipping his hands over my hips. “It’s been great meeting everyone.”
I searched his blue eyes, relieved to see them sparkling with sincerity.
“And dinner was delicious.”
“Glad you enjoyed it. Pretty sure most of it came from Mariano’s, so you can have it again anytime you like.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, lowering his voice. “I’ve been sworn to secrecy.”
I matched his whisper. “It’s not really a secret that Brie cheats at dinner parties.”
“Is it cheating?” he asked. “Or a sign of intelligence?”
I laughed. “The latter probably. For how fast the boys eat, she’d be crazy to slave away.”
“The boys? Don’t you think they’re a bit too old for you to call them that?”
I shrugged. “Once you’ve seen a guy cry over a broken Tonka truck, it’s hard to take him seriously as a man.”
His smile pulled to one side. “What about Quinn? I thought he and James were in college together.”
“He’s a boy by association,” I said, smoothing his dark flannel shirt against his chest. “And by contrast.” I lifted my eyes to his. “Thanks again for coming tonight. I know it was a lot to ask.”
“You don’t have to keep thanking me. I wanted to be here.”
“Well, it means a lot.”
