Page 94 of Finn's Future

“Shit, I didn’t mean it like that. I know Caleb will always be his father, and I never want to take his place. I only want to be there for you and Noah, and for you to know, I’m all in with both of you.”

“I won’t let him forget Caleb, but I love that you love Noah too. We want you in our lives too.”

Chapter 42

Finn

It was our last night of the weekend, and the restaurant was louder than I liked. Too many people, too many exits, too many corners I couldn’t watch at once.

Still, Kate was smiling.

Lucy was halfway through a story, something about Riot nearly setting the kitchen on fire, and Reaper was watching her like he always did when she got like that, softer than he let anyone else see.

Kate laughed under her breath, shaking her head.

I leaned forward and brushed my lips across hers, smiling at the blush that crept up her cheeks.

“Sounds about right,” I said, pulling away from her.

I leaned back in my chair, beer in hand, the other resting on Kate’s leg, letting the noise blur a little. It was good. Too good.

Normal.

I should’ve known it wouldn’t last.

The perfume hit me first, sharp and expensive, and familiar enough to make my stomach drop before I even lifted my head.

“Finlay.”

My grip tightened on the bottle before my brain caught up. I hadn’t heard that name in months.

I didn’t turn because I knew exactly who it was.

Shit.Why now, of all times?

Kate’s voice cut in, soft but curious. “Finn?”

I lifted my head, and there she was, exactly the same as I remembered.

Tall and well put together. Dark hair pulled back in an elegant style, she was wearing a dress and heels that probably cost more than the average household made in a year.

Her attention settled on me first then shifted towards Kate, then back again. A slow smile curved her lips.

“Well,” she said lightly, “this is . . . unexpected. I see you have another woman.”

Lucy went still across the table. Reaper didn’t move, but I felt the shift in him.

Kate frowned slightly. “Do you know her?”

I didn’t answer because I didn’t know how to. I’d been ignoring her calls since everything had gone down with Kate, and then, she was the last thing on my mind.

She stepped closer, stopping beside the table.

Her attention drifted over to Kate again, assessing, noting my hand on Kate’s thigh. Then she turned back to me.

“Really?” she said, almost amused. “You didn’t tell her?”

Kate’s posture changed. Her shoulders stiffened, and her leg tensed beneath my hand.