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“What are you glad about?” Liam sauntered up and slapped Finn on the back. Again, it struck her that Liam was acting so friendly with Finn. It seems they must’ve bonded when they saved her that night.
“He’s glad that I’m happy,” Cora said quickly.
Rowdy laughter erupted from the kitchen table. Suzette and Genevieve’s friends were slapping cards down and hollering over each other.
“Did you tell them the news?” Genevieve called to Finn from the kitchen.
Finn shot her the type of familiar, reproving look that only a sibling could. “It’s not official, yet.”
“What is it?” Cora asked, lifting her glass to her lips.
Finn lowered his voice. “I’ve been offered a job in New York City. I’ll be going at the end of the summer.”
Liam choked on his beer.
Cora lowered her wineglass, feeling a hollow, twisty sensation in the pit of her stomach. Finn couldn’t leave. He was a part of this place. He’d grown up here and belonged here. “You would leave Providence Falls?”
“It’s the same firm that offered my sister the internship. They’ve actually been trying to recruit me for a while.” Finn’s expression grew pensive. “I never thought I’d go, but it’s been a strange year. And after this whole thing with Magnus, Johnston & Knight’s going to have a hell of a time rebuilding its reputation. Seems like a good time to move in a new direction.”
“It’s a terrible time,” Liam sputtered. “You have to stay here.” He looked so upset, Cora was shocked. She hadn’t realized he cared so much.
“Liam’s right,” she told Finn. “You’refromhere. If you left, it would be like...” She tried to find words that wouldn’t sound melodramatic. Cora didn’t have a huge family growing up. It was probably why the people of Providence Falls—especially her friends—were so important to her. Somewhere along the way, Finn had become one of the people she didn’t want to lose. “It would be like losing a piece of what makes this city trulygood. You belong here with us.”
Finn looked surprised. So did Liam.
So much for not sounding melodramatic. She needed to lighten up. “Just don’t make any rash decisions, that’s all. You’re a great lawyer, and we’d be very sorry to see you go.” There, that was more logical.
Finn dipped his head. “I’ve already discussed it with the partners at the firm, so everything’s pretty much set.”
Don’t go!a tiny voice inside her cried, but she smothered it. She had no right to demand anything of Finn. It was ultimately his choice. So why did she feel like something monumental hung in the balance? People switched jobs and moved away all the time. This shouldn’t be any different.
“Don’t be an idiot, man.” Liam glowered at Finn as though he’d just said he was going skydiving without a parachute. “Cora’s right. You need to stay here, and that’s the end of it.”
Finn chuckled, which only made Liam angrier. Cursing under his breath, Liam stormed outside to the terrace.
“Wow,” Finn said, watching Liam march to the balcony and stare out at the horizon. “I didn’t know he cared so much.”
Cora could only shake her head, because neither did she. It seemed Liam had formed some kind of attachment to Finn, but it didn’t make any sense. They’d only just become friends.
“I should go check on the dinner,” Finn said. “Do you want another drink?”
“No, thank you.” She forced a smile, but it fell the moment he walked away. Liam was throwing a silent fit outside, and Cora wanted to join him. He was leaning against the balcony railing and appeared to be talking to himself. Whatever he was saying, he looked as frustrated as she felt.
“My brother told you the news?” Genevieve walked up in an apron, holding an oven mitt.
“Yes. I wasn’t expecting it.”
“Neither was I. They’d been headhunting him for years, but he always turned them down. I just figured there was something very important keeping him here.” She paused, then added, “Or someone.”
“Family does make it hard to leave,” Cora said, keeping her eye on Liam outside.
“I was talking about—”
“Cora,” Suzette called from the kitchen table. She was in a laughing argument with one of the guys. “Come and play this terrible card game. I need backup because these people are animals.”
Cora looked back at Liam, who was still on the patio. He was talking and gesturing with his hands, but there was no one out there. Maybe he was using one of those Bluetooth headsets. He was clearly in a heated conversation. But with whom?
Liam suddenly looked her way. With a fake, plastic smile that didn’t fool her for a second, he lifted his hand and waved.
