Page 50 of When The Rain Falls

“Good.” My teeth clench so hard that I think one cracks.

“I read that all the icebergs are melting. But now I can say I have firsthand experience.” I’m no longer looking in her direction, but her voice bleeds of pure satisfaction.

“You calling me a fucking iceberg?”

She snorts as I feel her eyes fall to my tented pants. “Yeah. And there’s something impressive about just your tip.”

Fucking hell.

I shift uncomfortably and try to think about something unsexy. Vivian’s orthodontist bill. The video I watched about how they make chicken nuggets. The ceramic rabbits my mom collects. The ones that stare at me with creepy, soulless eyes.

When I turn the key, the engine revs to life and sends a blast of cold air into my face. Thank God. Because my head is burning and I’m pretty sure my face has turned fire-engine red.

17THE MOVES

FINN

I straightenout the collar of my suit jacket in front of the full length mirror. Something's off. My dark blue suit makes the white of my shirt pop crisply. No wrinkles. Maybe it's the tie. I straighten out the knot of a greyish blue tie with white paisley patterns across it.

"Babe, think I should go with the red one?" I look over at Laurel. She's standing beside me wearing an old bathrobe over a tank top. The robe is falling open and my eye catches on where the outline of a nipple poking through her t-shirt. Even tired and mussed, she's still stunning.

She's got Vivian propped on her hip. She's always holding Vivian. How's the kid supposed to learn to walk? Viv sucks on a fist and grips Laurel's shoulder tightly. As Laurel and I talk, Viv whips her head back and forth. It always seems like she understands what we're saying. I know that's silly. She's only eleven-months-old.

"You're worrying too much," she assures. "You look hot." She eyes me up and down.

"I don't want to look hot. I want to look trustworthy." I throw my hands in the air in frustration over a knot that won't straighten properly. I feel a little guilty because I get to dress innice clothes and go to work. She'll be home all day, managing two small terrorists. She says she loves it, but I know she's also anxious to get back to work.

"Exactly and red is a power tie. It's too aggressive. You can wear that one to bed tonight." She throws me a wink.

I'm a flutter of nerves, but I laugh at her comment.

"Just be yourself and the jury will love you. You got this." She turns to the baby on her hip and pushes a finger into Vivian's nose. "Won't they, Viv?" Vivian wrinkles her nose and sneezes.

"I hope so, because they won't love my client. What did you think of my opening line?"

"Finn, stop! You're starting to overthink. It's just pregame jitters. You'll undo all the hard work you put in."

"You're right. I am overthinking." I check my phone. "Oh shit. I need to go."

"Vivian wants to give you a goodbye kiss." She holds Viv out to me. I rub my face into her belly to make her laugh. Two slobbery hands grip my hair as laughter erupts from her mouth. Laurel pulls her back, fixes my hair, and gives me her own kiss. A face melting, sweet kiss. One of my favorites.

"Knock 'em dead."

"Laur, it's a wrongful death case. Probably not the best phrase."

Laurel chuckles as I grab my briefcase and head out the door of our bedroom.

Laughter spills out from under the bathroom doorway. It's a tiny bathroom. I have no idea how three people can fit in there. I return my attention from the closed door in the hallway back tothe task at hand. I'm spreading a thick layer of mayonnaise over a slice of bread when another wave of uproar hits my eardrums. I rest the hand that's clutching the knife against the edge of the counter and sigh with exasperation.

"Woah." Aimee's voice is vibrant and unmistakable. "That's too much. Like way too much. Do you want to look like a hooker?" Ruby and Julie giggle. I try not to roll my eyes. I've been rolling my eyes all evening and they're starting to hurt from all the strain.

"I don't think I can take anymore," Vivian says as I set the slice of bread on top of the rolled-up turkey to complete her sandwich. I slide the plate across the counter and brace both hands on the countertop.

"You and me both, kid," I tell her.

There's another eruption of giggles. We both turn our heads back to the closed bathroom door. Vivian winces painfully. I feel my soul do the same.

"Oh, Rocky!" Vivian feigns a sigh. "Do you like me now? Now that I look like a completely different person with too much lipstick?" Vivian says in a high-pitched school girl voice. I train my eyes on her. "Like lipstick will do the trick," she finally huffs, rolling her eyes.

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