Page 105 of Strictly Business

“How are you feeling about going back home?”

I shrug. “I’m ready, I miss everyone, but I’m also dreading it. Going back means having to face everything I left behind.”

Romy wraps her arm around my shoulders and leans her head against mine in a warm embrace as we walk to find Enzo. “And what of Finn?” Her words stop me in my tracks. This is the first time she’s mentioned him. I’m not surprised she knows; I’m sure Nina told her everything about why I had taken this trip. If she did, I appreciated Romy’s feigned interest when I told her what happened with David.

Just before we can open the door, Enzo steps outside. He has nothing in his hands. Shit, did Josh not send it? Dammit Josh, but he said he did. Before I can ask why Enzo’s not carrying a package, someone else steps through the door, and my heart stops.

“Why the long face, Shortcake? Not happy to see me?”

Chapter Fifty-Seven

FINN

THE GENUINE SHOCK ON her face tells me she had no idea I’d be here, though I do wish she looked a little more excited to see me.

At least we know Josh can keep a secret, unlike his sister. When he was done ranting about his sister wanting the impossible yesterday, I suggested I could bring the locket to her. Two of them laughed, but one of them didn’t — Nick. I’ve always known he was a secret romantic, but he hasn’t been very good at hiding it the last few years. Not since he met Nina. He offered me a small smile while the others continued to joke about me taking the locket to Italy. Because according to him, it was ludicrous to think about doing so.

“Wait, you’re serious?” Josh asked.

“Why not? She wants it, I can get it there before she leaves—”

“Because she’s in Italy!” Alex laughed.

“So? I’ve jumped on a plane a lot for less.” That was true, but this wasn’t just jumping on a plane for a quick rendezvous. “Look, she’s been without it for months, and we all know how much it means to her. If I can make this happen, why not?” I shrugged, trying to act like it wasn’t a big deal, but inside my heart raced at the thought of seeing her. Being the one to return this piece of her.

“What are you doing here, Finn?” Michaela questions. The greeting is a little harsher than I expected, but at least she hasn’t told me to fuck off yet. Her hair is shorter than before — chopped to just above her shoulders, tickling the strap of her white button-down. Buttery, tanned skin from months in the European sun on display from the top few buttons left undone.

“Just wanted to make sure this got here safe and sound.” I pull the locket from my pocket and let it dangle between my fingers.

Her eyes widen. “Why do you have that?”

“Josh may have mentioned you wanted it back as soon as possible.”

She tries to snatch it from my grasp, but I move away. “I’m not playing your games, Finn. Give me the necklace.”

“All in due time, Shortcake.”

Michaela groans trying to reach for it again, but I pull it away. We’re close, closer than we were at the Valentine’s Day dinner, and almost as close as we were at the wedding. The energy radiating between us only builds the longer we’re like this. Her chest heaves with an annoyed huff before she turns on her heel. Whether she wants me to or not, I follow mumbling a quick thank you to Enzo and Romy, who wear matching smirks. “Finn, I’m not doing this. Please, I have somewhere to be.”

“Drinks with some local. Yeah, I know.”

“How do you— Nina,” she sighs. “Of course, she told you.”

“It was Nick, actually. Your cousin thinks you deserve a little payback for meddling in his love life.”

“Well, they were being stubborn idiots.”

“Says the most stubborn woman I’ve ever met.”

She spins back around, and blue orbs glare up at me. Her finger jabs into my chest, “Give me the necklace, Finn.”

“I will, but first, we need to have a conversation.”

“I have nothing to say.”

That’s a lie.

“You’re telling me you spent the last two months eat, pray, loving it, and you have nothing to say to me? Nothing at all.” She doesn’t respond. “Exactly. Now, let’s go.”

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