Page 37 of Alfie: Part Two

Finn shot him a quick scowl before he glanced back at me. “I don’t know. The golf course ain’t goin’ anywhere. Youse can play after Mass.”

Shan muttered into his whiskey. “Three hundred grand on boarding school for Finn and Patrick, and they still grew up saying ain’t, youse, and innit.”

I laughed.

Finn chuckled through his nose and refilled his drink. “The best advice in life sure as shit didn’t come from Aberdeen Grange, old man.” He tipped his glass at Shan. “Hell, several in my Top Ten are from you and Gramps. I think I was nine when he taught me that a good lawyer knows the law and a great one knows the judge.”

Oh, Jesus Christ.

Shan snorted. “And that’s when your mother contacted Aberdeen.”

I shook my head in amusement, before I heard someone approaching behind me.

“You freaking sneak, Finnegan!” Welcome to the house of solitude, Emilia. “Why am I out there suffering when you’re in here being all chill?”

“Because you went wild with the invitations, princess,” Finn replied, not missing a beat. “To be fair, you could sit here too. There’s room right here.” He patted his lap.

Smooth.

She scoffed and positioned herself in front of the TV so she could raid the cheese platter. “I’m so hungry. Three servers walked right by me because the old lady I was forced to listen to waved them off.” She groaned as she stuffed some cheese and crackers into her mouth. A few grapes too.

“You’re so hot,” Finn said.

She flipped him off. “At least I didn’t pick a white dress like Luna. Who the hell picks a white dress for a children’s party?”

“Luna,” Finn deadpanned.

She blew out a breath and smoothed down her own dress, which was blue and covered in colorful flowers. Possibly some ketchup and—was that glitter?

Oh, it was always glitter.

“So, what’s happening here?” she asked, diving for jerky this time.

“West just agreed to accompany Alfie to Mass tomorrow,” Finn replied.

“I don’t remember that happening,” I chuckled.

Emilia huffed another breath and threw the jerky into her mouth. “Don’t let him push you around, West. Now that you’re in a family filled with lowlifes, you gotta stand your ground.”

“Wow,” Finn mouthed. “It’s been a long time since you brought up the L-word, princess.”

“Awww…” She went over to him and plopped down on his lap. “You know I love you with or without the lowlifery.”

Shan found the situation funny; Finn thawed out and kissed her silly, but to me, it reflected my own reality. No matter the word I chose to describe it, I’d made the decision to accept Alfie’s affiliations.

“May I ask a personal question, Emilia?” I wondered.

She immediately gave me her attention and repositioned herself on Finn’s lap. “Of course.”

“How did you come to terms with all this? How did you finally choose?”

She let out a breath and smiled a little. “Do we really have a choice when we decide between true love and despair?”

So she really knew the dilemma.

“Are you having doubts?” Shan asked me curiously.

I shook my head. “No, the decision’s been made—and I’m happier than I’ve ever been. I’m only worried conflict will arise in the future when the honeymoon bliss has faded a bit.”

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