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F I F T Y T W O
- Finn -
Maeve had her hair down when she came back from the bedroom. Our bedroom? I suppose it was. Made me happy to think about it that way. In fact, there was nothing I didn’t enjoy more when it was shared with her. Even Otis, the rascal. To think I used to get jealous when he forgot his loyalty.
But not with her. There was nothing I wouldn’t give her, get her, or do for her. Even better if I thought of something that would cheer her before she thought to ask. That was basically the height of happiness for me these days. Making her smile. Making her laugh. Making her forget how hard she worked all day.
God, I was in awe of her. And not just for how smoking hot she looked in my Velvet Underground shirt. Step aside Nico, there’s a new muse in town.
“What are you smiling about?” I asked, noticing a twinkle in her eye.
“Just looking forward to your good news,” she said, picking up the full plates beside me. “And this downhome dinner.”
“One bite, and you’ll think we’re in the bayou,” I said, following her to the table with the spicy syrup I made.
“So,” she said, assuming her usual spot by the window. “Lay it on me.”
I feared I’d overhyped the situation, but it was too late to backpedal. Maeve had a mouthful of chicken and waffles, and I had the spotlight.
“Oh my God,” she groaned, covering her mouth as her eyes rolled back. “This is so good, Finn.”
“How much do you like it?” I asked. “Should we make it a staple?”
She swallowed. “Is three nights a week too many?”
“Yeah,” I said, laughing. “Even for the waffle iron.”
She feigned a pouty face before urging me on. “You were saying?”
“I took an SAT test a few days ago. Just a practice one. With that tutor your colleague recommended, so we could gauge my starting point.”
“And?” Maeve grabbed the glass of water at the edge of her placemat. “How’d it go?”
“For starters, I couldn’t believe I made it the full three hours.”
“That is a lot of sitting for you all at once.”
“It was hell,” I said. “I can’t believe it’s legal to force teenagers to sit still that long.”
“Did you find out how you did yet?”
“Well, I wasn’t supposed to find out till next week, but I think you might be rubbing off on me because I got impatient for my results.”
Her eyes popped wide. “Did you call instead of waiting?”
I nodded. “I’m officially high maintenance.”
She laughed. “I love it. What did you find out?”
“I didn’t choke!” I said, unable to hide my delight. “Those weren’t the tutor’s words, obviously, but she’s confident I’ll be able to meet the Art Institute’s admission standards.”
“That’s awesome, Finn. Congratulations.”
“Thanks. I know it's dumb to be excited about something I should’ve done fifteen years ago, but—”
“Not at all. The timing’s irrelevant. Nobody wants to suffer through the SATs, and the fact that you’re taking them when you don’t have to makes it even more admirable.”
“I kind of do have to for that program I have my heart set on.”
