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Patrick and Julie share an uncertain look.
Finn threads his fingers through his hair. “I’m not the only one feeling their connection, am I?”
“No,” I say in support. And because it’s true.
“We…” Julies trails off.
“We don’t know what to say,” Patrick finishes.
“Say yes. Or at the very least say we can ask Josh and Jesse what they think. I’d like nothing more than to give Sammy to you today.”
To Julie and Patrick, who barely know Finn, they probably see a man who is a superstar, a man who can have as many dogs as he wants, a man who is kind because he can afford to be.
All those things are true. But whatIsee is a man who, stripped of his last name, wealth, and stature, would still give his dog to a boy because deep down, Finn Auprince is the most noble person I know, plain and simple.
Jesse runs ahead of his brother and Sammy, rejoining us with, “Don’t worry. Those two are fine together.”
Julie starts to cry.
“What’s wrong, Mommy?” Josh asks in a worried voice. Sammy rubs the top of her head against his hip. I think it’s to comfort him.
“Nothing, sweetheart.” She wipes at her cheek. “It’s just…” Her voice wavers.
Patrick bends down to Josh’s level. “It’s just we’ve noticed how well you and Sammy get along and Finn would like to give her to us if you and your brother think that’s a good idea.”
Josh’s jaw drops. It’s cute as can be.
“What do you say?” Finn says. “Think you two can take care of her for me?”
Both boys shout “yes” then Josh wraps his arms around Finn’s thighs in a tight hug. “Thank you.”
Finn ruffles Josh’s hair. “You’re welcome.” He lets them know he’ll have everything Sammy needs delivered tomorrow and then he says a private goodbye to his dog, kneeling and whispering something in her ear.
I bump Finn’s side on the walk back to my house. “That was beyond nice.”
“It’s a well-known fact I like to go above and beyond.”
“Hmm, somehow I missed that in your bio.”
“There’s a lot not in my bio.”
“True.” I peek at him out of the corner of my eye. “Are you okay? You and Sammy were a pretty good match, too, you know.”
“Not like that.”
“No, not like that,” I echo, noting he didn’t answer my question. He’d grown more attached to Sammy than he’s comfortable letting on.
Which leaves me to wonder what it would be like to mean that much to him, too.
Chapter Fifteen
#GreenLight
Finn
The house smellseven better than when we left, and my stomach grumbles in anticipation of sitting down to eat. This is the first home-cooked Thanksgiving I’ve had in years, my family’s usual MO being a restaurant at our hotel in Hawaii where we’re served gourmet food that lacks the delicious simplicity of novice cooks. Truth be told, I prefer this, but don’t tell my mother or grandmother.
“Where’s Sammy?” Casey asks when Chloe and I walk into the kitchen. Dinner is laid out on the table in a really nice display and I’m grateful to be included here today.
