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“Even if she wanted that, it turns out I’m not the right man for the job.”
That baby had schooled him in the art of caregiving. He’d never thought taking care of a baby would be so…chaotic. Even with both him and Veronica there, the job had been too much to handle. The idea of being a father, of being responsible for a tiny little life, honestly terrified him now.
“You’re exactly the right man,” Mark assured him.
“Did she tell you about babysitting the kid? I was pathetic. No idea what the hell I was doing.”
“Who has? Why do you think so many kids end up in foster care? Parents give up.”
Very sad, but true. He knew that firsthand.
“Just don’t repeat our parents’ mistakes. You don’t give up. No matter what.” He took a step closer. “That’s what kids care about. They won’t remember how poorly you changed their diaper or how much frozen food they ate. They’ll remember you were always there when they needed you.” Clapping a hand on his shoulder, Mark smiled. “And the same goes for Veronica. You can’t give up on her, either.”
Finn smiled wryly. “Why the change in opinion? You squirted raspberry in my face, for fuck’s sake. Now you want us together.”
“Now that I know you love her, hell yes. You are the best, nicest guy I know. And although it was a little…upsetting…to hear you were defiling my sister, I know you. And I know you would never do anything deliberately to hurt her.”
Finn looked his friend in the eye and hoped he saw just how sorry Finn was about the entire situation. “What if I can’t convince her?”
“You will.” Mark squeezed his shoulder then let his arm fall to his side. “Because you love her.”
There was a reason they were best friends. Mark knew him better than any other person on the planet. Except Veronica…
“Besides”—Mark punched him lightly in the biceps—“I’ve known she’s been in love with you forever.”
His stomach tensed in surprise. “What?”
“Seriously, man?” Mark rolled his eyes. “The whole time growing up, she was doodling your name inside a heart on her school binder. She had an honest-to-God schoolgirl crush on you.”
Finn actually felt his cheeks flush in embarrassment. “She did not. I would have seen it.”
Mark chuckled. “To this day, she still stares at you like a little puppy just waiting for you to throw her a bone.”
Finn scowled. “Why didn’t you say something? Maybe—” Maybe they wouldn’t have wasted so many years tiptoeing around each other.
“Dude. She’s my sister. And you’re…a guy.”
Point taken. Still. All those years. All those years he’d pushed aside his feelings because he’d thought they were inappropriate. He could have acted upon them. Should have acted upon them. Then again, it could have ended badly.
Hell, it had ended badly anyway.
Mark’s expression turned serious. “Just think about what I said. There’s still hope. Don’t give up on her.” He turned to leave, but halted at the door. “But no matter what, you’re still my best friend. I’m not giving up on that.” And with that, he walked away.
Finn had some serious thinking to do.
His relationship with Mark was even stronger, and he’d built a bond with Cal he’d never expected. But what to do about Veronica?
Somehow, some way, he needed to make it work with her. Because Mark was right. Finn couldn’t give up. He needed to fight for what he wanted.
And what he wanted was Veronica.
…
Veronica walked down the stairs to the aroma of bacon and toast. It smelled wonderful…and completely unexpected, considering her breakfast usually consisted of frozen pancakes or waffles.
She followed the scent, breathing more deeply the closer she got to the kitchen. She heard the sizzle of the frying pan before she turned the corner, but stopped short when she saw Cal at the stove.
