Page 48 of The Complication with the Best Man

Finn clears his throat. “Dinner’s ready?”

My eyes snap up to meet his. “Um, yeah. I called, and you didn’t answer.”

He thumbs over his shoulder. “Sorry, probably didn’t hear it with the bathroom fan. I’ll be right down.”

I nod and turn, holding the railing and hurrying down the stairs to give myself some space from this man I don’t seem to be able to remember I should be staying away from—at least romantically.

* * *

An hour later,Finn pulls his rental truck into Palmer’s driveway.

“Do you want me to just send Hudson out?” I ask, but I see the door open, and Hudson is already headed our way. “Never mind.”

We both chuckle.

“I’ll text you to let you know when we’re on our way back,” Finn says.

“Okay. Have fun. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

He laughs. “I’m not sure that really leaves any options out, does it?”

I playfully roll my eyes and get out of the truck, saying a quick hello to Hudson as I pass him, then heading inside. I’m not sure if Palmer has her cochlear implant on, so I don’t bother calling for her. I check the living room first and get lucky, finding her and Adley.

“The party can start, I’m here!” I hold my hands up over my head, as well as the bag of chips I brought—salt and vinegar, Adley’s favorite.

Adley squeals and jumps up off the couch, rushing over to give me a hug.

“How are you, kiddo?”

She pulls away and takes the chips from me, running back over to the couch.

“Adley, that was rude,” Palmer says out loud but also signs to Adley. “Harper asked you a question, and you don’t just rip a bag of chips out of someone’s hands.”

Adley frowns at her mom. “But she brought them for me.”

“Guilty as charged,” I say and sit on the couch beside Palmer.

She turns to look at me. “Not helping.”

I raise my hands in front of me. “My bad.”

She nods toward the kitchen. “Let’s go hang in there.”

We get up and make our way into the kitchen to afford us a little more privacy.

“Your bump is starting to show,” I say.

She glances at her stomach where there’s now a slight swell. “Yeah. Seems like you start showing earlier the second time around. At least I am. Do you want anything to drink?”

I shake my head. “I’m good.”

“Hudson tells me that Finn has moved in with you?” she asks as soon as we’re seated at the kitchen table.

“Jeez, men are just as big of gossips as us. He’s moved in, but he’s not moving in. He’s just staying with me until he can find a place to rent.”

“Mmm-hmm.”

I cock my head. “Why are you saying it like that?”

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